Routledge Making Relational Care Work for Older People: Exploring Innovation and Best Practice in Everyday Life

This book explores the concept of relational care, what it feels like for older people and for carers, why it makes life happier and how those involved in residential or community care can make it work. Relational care is gaining traction as its benefits to individuals and society become recognised. This accessible book, based on real-life models and in-depth interviews, explores fresh ways that relational care can be facilitated in a variety of settings. It looks at practice in terms of team management, support for care workers, technology, design and architecture, intergenerational and multidisciplinary models, and their implications for resilience, wellbeing, policy and future funding. Chapters are arranged by theme and provide descriptions, learning points and resources for each model, as well as incorporating a wealth of interviews giving insights into the lived experience of relational care. This is a lively book full of realistic ideas and information for everyone who wants to find out more about, access or implement the best in care – the best for older people, their families, care workers, management and society. Review "Loneliness remains one of the big social issues in the 21st century. Fortunately, it is also driving the search for social solutions that bring us together, wherever we live. This new book on relational care highlights a range of innovative projects that are leading the way in social connecting." Stephen Burke, Director, United of All Ages, UK. "Care is a relationship, not a transaction. In this book Jenny Kartupelis considers different models of relational care with the aim of offering inspiration and practical advice to those seeking to put this understanding into practice. Drawing on her own interviews and other studies Kartupelis challenges assumptions that care at home is always ‘best’ and offers hope that old age can be lived well with others in different settings. This is a book written from the heart as well as the head. It raises important questions for both the design and funding of social care services as well as for the values we want to promote." Marian Barnes, Professor Emeritus, University of Brighton, UK "Jenny’s timely book reminds us afresh that in order for life to be fulfilled, we all need to relate to others, as givers and receivers. Building on her earlier work, Jenny inspires, challenges and assists society to celebrate older people who are not a problem, but are integral to our own flourishing as well as theirs." The Right Revd Dr Stephen Venner DL "This book presents new ways of thinking about care, including the potential of technology to support dramatic benefits. The success of technology in care comes down to leadership and focus on the human at the centre of care. Providers with strong leadership skills can successfully reap the benefits of all tools available to them and well led care technology firms will provide solutions that fit into the lives of people, not the other way around." Eric Kihlstrom, Chairman of Older and former Director of ISCF Healthy Ageing, UK "The current model of care provision is unsustainable, under immense duress, bureaucratic and increasingly expensive. This book looks at some of the answers, the arguments behind them and the critical role of innovation. The rise of digital delivery formats and AI represent an opportunity to help large numbers at scale and innovation is central to this. Innovation through technology can give insights to improve health outcomes as we age." Zoe Peden, Investment Manager Ananda Impact Ventures "Loneliness remains one of the big social issues in the 21st century. Fortunately, it is also driving the search for social solutions that bring us together, wherever we live. This new book on relational care highlights a range of innovative projects that are leading the way in social connecting." Stephen Burke, Director, United of All Ages, UK. "Care is a relationship, not a transac