The UK's care system often makes headlines for its challenges - from staffing shortages to funding crises. But in the noise of policy discussions and debates about the future of care, one voice has been consistently overlooked: that of care recipients themselves.
Today, we're proud to release "It Takes a Village: A care recipient's view of the state of care in the UK today" - a first-of-its-kind report that turns the lens around, exploring how older adults experience and perceive the network of support that helps them maintain their independence.
Through surveying over 1,000 older adults receiving care across the UK, complemented by in-depth interviews with care recipients and providers, we've uncovered fascinating insights about how care really works on the ground - and the findings might surprise you.
The 'Village' already exists
Our research reveals that the concept of community-based care isn't just an aspiration - it's already happening. The average older adult receives support from multiple sources, creating what we call a 'Village of Care'. This includes family members (supporting 61% of recipients), GPs (44%), friends (21%), and various professional care services.
But this 'village' faces significant challenges. While family members form the backbone of the system, this reliance on informal care creates inherent risks in both care quality and sustainability. Professional care services are highly valued by those who use them, but remain difficult to access - only 2.4% receive private homecare and 3.5% receive state-funded care.
A tale of two perspectives
Perhaps most intriguingly, we found that the care crisis looks different through the eyes of care recipients. While the system's challenges are well-documented, 55% of recipients reported no particular challenges with their care, and 47% said they didn't need any additional help.
This suggests something crucial: that the strain of maintaining our current 'Village of Care' may be felt more acutely by those delivering care than those receiving it - highlighting the urgent need to better support both formal and informal carers.
The power of connection
The research also reveals a critical opportunity: better connecting the 'village'. While care recipients interact with multiple providers, there's limited appetite for sharing information between them. Only 38% would be willing to share basic medical information across their care network, despite clear evidence that poor coordination leads to increased stress, delayed care, and potential medication errors.
Building tomorrow's village
As we prepare for a future where more than one in five people will be over 65 within a decade, these insights couldn't be more timely. They point to both challenges and opportunities in building a care system that truly works for everyone involved.
The report concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers, care providers, and technology companies, focusing on how we can:
- Increase access to professional care services
- Better support informal carers
- Leverage technology to connect the 'village'
- Drive a cultural shift in how we approach information sharing in care
Download the full report to explore:
- Detailed mapping of today's 'Village of Care'
- In-depth analysis of what's working and what isn't
- Real stories from care recipients and providers
- Practical recommendations for building better care communities
At Birdie, we're committed to supporting the development of tomorrow's 'Village of Care'. We believe that by combining technology with education and cultural change, we can transform elderly care from a fragmented system into a coordinated, preventative model that truly puts the care recipient at the centre.
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