Flowers & Floorboards Everyday help that makes life liveable Ilona Haslewood, 17 September 2015

“Clients will often build a relationship with their caseworker based on trust and confidence. …Caseworkers can actually spend time with older or disabled people who require a service, so often un-affordable luxury for public sector professionals.” Davison, S (2012) There’s no place like your own home, Care & Repair Cymru

A Better Life

Seven challenges More positive images about old age – no ‘them and us’; see the person behind the label or diagnosis; support founded in and reflecting meaningful relationships; focus on the strengths; opportunities to give as well as receive; treat older people as citizens, with rights and responsibilities; listen and respond to what older people say; innovation and getting the basics right.

‘ Often it is the simple things that bring the most pleasure (and the lack of them can bring a sense of sadness and loss) and services do not always seem to be very good at delivering “the ordinary”’. Blood, I. (2013) A Better Life: Valuing our later years. JRF

‘Simple but not simplistic’ Relationship-centred practice Positive and rights based approaches to risk management with people with dementia Meaningful activities in care homes and day services Supporting caring relationships - meaningful short breaks Addressing loneliness and building community links Personal outcome focused assessment, support planning and review for people with dementia Areas chosen by participants for development

Using evidence: key elements A range of evidence Accessible and engaging formats Senior management buy-in Including and empowering participants Skilled facilitation Circumstances and limitations

Everyday help in personal networks and neighbourhoods

Giving and accepting help Emotional significance Moral framings Rules to manage conflict Strategies to make help palatable

Dignity and vulnerability '... Human life is a struggle between dignity and vulnerability. I understand dignity as an ideal of the self we would like to be - how we would like to conduct ourselves, complemented by how we would like others to treat us. Vulnerability is the constant threat of the self's dignity being undermined.’ Frank, A (2012) Ars Vivendi Journal 2.

The ‘middle layer’

Working with our knowledge

We deserve a liveable life