STRONG LEADERSHIP KEY TO CARE OF THE FUTURE

Revolutionising care for older people will require strong leadership, internationally renowned gerontologist Bill Thomas told senior sector representatives at a briefing on Friday 13th March.

L-R: Anchor Managing Director of Care Services Jane Ashcroft, Dr Bill Thomas and Paul Burstow at Anchor’s briefing.

Dr Thomas, a professor at the Erickson School of Aging, Management and Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, is founder of the Eden Alternative, a philosophy and programme that seeks to de-institutionalise care homes worldwide.

Anchor Trust Managing Director of Care Services Jane Ashcroft, who hosted Friday’s briefing, opened by discussing how Anchor was working with Dr Thomas and other experts to develop its own vision for the future of care. Delegates included MP and Co-Chair of the Ageing and Older People All Party Parliamentary Group Paul Burstow, Care Quality Commission Lead for Older People Rekha Elaswarapu, ECCA Chief Executive Martin Green and National Director for Social Care Transformation Jeff Jerome.

Dr Thomas said: “The Eden Alternative philosophy is that life is better in a garden than in a hospital, so we create environments that enable elders to enjoy a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline. Our focus is to put people ahead of tasks and to create relationships between elders; elders and their families; elders and their carers; and management and their staff.

“Culture change is asking lots of people to break many habits, all at the same time. What really accelerates change and ensures a systematically new approach is strong leadership. You have to create a culture where people are constantly encouraged to do the right thing.”

Ms Ashcroft said: “Anchor is committed to providing high quality services, now and in the future. We know that the next generation of older people are going to demand different care services and we are working with people like Dr Thomas to enrich the care we already provide and to create the care of the future.”

Care and housing provider Anchor invited Dr Thomas to spend a week with senior management and care home managers from across the organisation. The week saw Dr Thomas hold a series of workshops on issues such as working with regulation, shifting attitudes to care and old age, and incorporating the Eden Alternative philosophy into home care.

Paul Burstow MP said: “The Eden philosophy offers a breath of fresh air and a departure from the ever present chase after ticking the boxes rather than focussing on people.”

Note to editors:
Anchor is the largest not-for-profit provider of housing, care and support in England.

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