Understanding the UK Shared Lives scheme: an alternative care option
The UK has a Shared Lives scheme: it matches older people who need care with trained and vetted carers. The carer lives with the older person or visits regularly, as an alternative to a care home. Before taking part, the two sides can get to know each other first and then decide.
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Original: Shared lives schemes - Social care and support guide - NHS · Original language: en
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Facts from the sources
In the UK, the Shared Lives scheme provides support for adults who find it difficult to live independently because of learning disabilities, mental health problems, or other needs, matching people who need care with approved carers. View source
In the Shared Lives scheme, some people move into the Shared Lives carer's home, some visit regularly during the day, and others have a combination of day and overnight visits. View source
The Shared Lives scheme is available across the UK and is offered as an alternative to traditional care options such as care homes. View source
Before starting the Shared Lives scheme, participants have the opportunity to meet the Shared Lives carer and decide whether they would like to spend time together. View source
The Shared Lives scheme must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, and carers must be trained and vetted by the scheme. View source
The Shared Lives scheme does pay self-employed Shared Lives carers, but not by the hour. View source
For older people and families
The Shared Lives scheme lets older people live in a carer's home, or go to the carer's home regularly during the day.
Before it begins, the older person and their family can meet the carer first, and decide only if they feel it is suitable.
This scheme is an alternative to care homes in the UK, but China currently does not have the same system.
See what care and community teams can do
The UK approach can be used as a reference: in the community, identify residents who are willing to provide care and older people who need care, and try to match them.
Carers should undergo training, background checks, and regular assessments, and be supervised by professional organisations.
Start with a small-scale pilot, respect the mutual choice of both the older person and the carer, and do not force pairings.
What needs local assessment
The above facts come from the UK. China currently does not have an identical Shared Lives system. The UK approach is not the same as current policy in China, and it is not suitable for all older people. Whether it is suitable for an older person needs to be assessed in combination with their physical condition, family wishes, and local resources; it is best to consult the community or a professional eldercare service organisation. The article does not mention specific numbers, costs, or outcome data, so it cannot be used to infer advantages or disadvantages. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This article is an independent Chinese-language compilation and suggestions by this website, and is not an official NHS translation or content approved by it. Licence: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Sources
UK National Health Service (NHS)Was this article helpful?
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