Life expectancy in the UK is increasing at more than five hours a day, every day. Improvements in the diagnosis and treatments of diseases as well as changes in areas such as diet, housing, sanitation and education have all contributed to the doubling of lifespans in much of the world over the past 150 years. For the first time in history in the UK the number of people over the age of 60 outnumbers those under 16. As a result, we face what has been termed an ‘agequake’.
Care4Care – in partnership with Professor Heinz Wolff of Brunel University and Age UK Isle of Wight – provided support for older people through mutual exchange: support provided by individuals now in return for support for later in life. Care4Care members earned ‘care credits’ by supporting/caring for an older person in their local community. The hours of support members provide are recorded in their individual care credit account.
This document provides a detailed overview of the venture – covering the context and evidence base it was borne out of, its progression thusfar and ‘next steps’, the values and vision underpinning the venture and a comprehensive outline of how the scheme operates in practice, including its organisational structure.
Posted on: 1 May 2012 Authors: Peter Gerry,