Outcomes and Well-being Part 1: A comparative longitudinal study of two models of homecare delivery and their impact upon the older person self-reported subjective well-being

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to report on a study of outcome-focussed care for older people in one English local authority. The aim of the research is to examine whether altering the delivery of care to an outcome-focused model would improve the individual participant’s subjective well-being and save money for the local authority.
Design/methodology/approach – In order for the aim of the research to be established, a pilot study was devised. This was a longitudinal study over 18 months, using a quantitative design. The sample was of 40 service users aged 65 and over whom all had critical and substantial care needs. Half of the sample of service users was receiving the new form of outcome-focused care and the other half were a comparison group who were receiving care packages according to the traditional form of delivery that could be characterised as a ‘‘task-focused’’ model. The service users were administered the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing Questionnaire (MYCAW). This questionnaire involves respondents identifying qualityof life issues;where they areseeking improvement; andmeasureschangeover time in relation to these.
Findings – The research established that there was a greater improvement in subjective well-being in the group receiving outcome-focussed care, when compared with the comparison group receiving the traditional task-focused model.
Practical implications – This paper will assist managers in their decision making to implement a more outcome-focused model of home care with older people.
Originality/value – To use MYCAWin a social care context is an innovative aspect of this study as it has previously been used only in mainstream and complementary medicine. The focus of this paper is to examine the impact of two models of home care delivery for older people, and how these two models impact on the older persons’ self-reported well-being.