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National Mapping of Services to Older People Provided by the Catholic Community

“The elderly are not a burden but a gift” Archbishop Vincent Nichols 

CSAN believes that the Church is nationally undertaking a huge amount of unacknowledged work to support older people.  With this in mind, CSAN commissioned Middlesex University to carry out research into the extent of older people's services delivered by the Catholic community in England and Wales.

The research, undertaken by Middlesex University’s Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), explores the level and quality of care provision offered by the Catholic community in England and Wales.

Hands

 

The research aims to quantify, assess and understand the provision and nature of services provided by the Catholic community to older people.  The scope of the project includes formal residential care, residential care offered by religious orders to members of their communities which does not require registration, and formal support services offered at parish and community level within diocese.

Key findings from the report, which surveyed 30 residential care homes and 28 providers of outreach services, include:

  • The number of places in care homes and the number of hours for home care would both need to rise by nearly 150% to cope with the needs of this ageing population.
  • The main problem identified by residential providers was the lack of funding, with two thirds of the homes surveyed affected by rising costs and few sources of funding.
  • Isolation and the lack of a sense of community were identified by respondents as the main issues facing older people

Key recommendations are:

  • More innovative forms of care for older people.
  • Measures to tackle loneliness and isolation including opportunities for older people to engage with the local community.
  • Development of inter-generational work to bring older people and younger people closer together for their mutual benefit.
  • Clearer information about entitlements for older people and their carers.
  • Raising the Catholic voice at the decision making table on policy issues affecting older people.

Philippa Gitlin, Director of CSAN, welcomed the findings and recommendations of the report: “We are pleased to have evidence of the support being provided by the Catholic community for older people of all faiths or none. The report confirms our view that we need to raise our profile as a significant voice in the sector, and together with other faith providers lobby to influence debate and policy decision-making on the care and provision of services for older people.” 

Click here to download the Executive Summary or the full report.

Read the press release for the mapping report.

Read an article on this report in The Catholic Herald.