Cllr. Susan Woodward

New Independent Consultation Shows Massive Support For Council's Objectives

Details of a new independent consultation exercise gives a unique Staffordshire-wide opinion relating to older and disabled peoples' care and support services, including in-house residential services.

Commissioned by Staffordshire County Council, this is the very first county-wide initiative giving statistical analysis undertaken independent from the Council and the overall exercise was devised and managed by external company Step Beyond based in Stone.

In total 525 individuals took part in in-depth telephone questionnaires. The respondents were randomly selected throughout Staffordshire at arms length from the Council and represented the county's adult general population.

Results from the independent consultation exercise clearly shows overwhelming support for the Council's Changing Lives aims and objectives from individuals throughout the County.

Key findings point to:

86% of people wanted to receive care in their own homes rather than move to a residential care home. 5% said they wanted to move into a residential care home rather than receive care in their respective homes. The remaining percentage did not give an opinion.
In total, 95% of people either listed maintaining their independence, continuation of lifestyle and living in an area they know as their major reasons when choosing the type of care they would like to receive.
78% of people, when asked about different types of care they may prefer, said they wanted help and assistance in their own homes. 6% would want to move into sheltered/extra care homes, and 3% would choose residential care. The remaining people did not give an opinion.
88% of non present carers voiced their support of initiatives directly relating to the Council's Changing Lives programme, with 82% of carers voicing their support.

Speaking about the independent consultation results, Cllr. Susan Woodward, Portfolio Holder Social Care and Health said:

"The new independent consultation exercise statistically shows that in Staffordshire 86% of people would want to receive care in their own homes rather than the 3% who would want an in-house residential care setting. In addition, 95% of people expressly voiced their support of objectives relating directly to the Council's Changing Lives programme. Of course, there will be the need for some people to access residential care homes, and where this is the case, we will ensure they receive it.

"There have been strong views held around this sensitive issue and we all understand this. We must however, look at the whole issue in terms of the Council meeting the care and support needs of the people of Staffordshire today and in the coming years and work to address the aspirations of the county's population which overwhelmingly is to remain in their own homes for as long as possible with the correct care and assistance.

"In a matter of years, those in Staffordshire aged 85+ will increase by a mammoth 78% and this is why the care and support of older and disabled people must be a priority today."

ENDS

For Further Information, please contact:

Steven Jenkins, External Communications Manager

01785 278437

steven.jenkins@staffordshire.gov.uk

Notes:

Step Beyond is an independent full service agency providing both market and social research for leading brands and organisations throughout the UK. Established by Penny Meigh in 1999, Step Beyond is an MRS Company Partner and a member of the British Market Research Association, while Penny is a full member of the Market Research Society and of the Independent Consultancy Group.

Page Last Modified: 30/01/2007 16:03:29

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