Proactive, targeted benefits advice for older people in general practice: a feasibility study

Abstract

The aim of the present project was to assess a welfare benefits and advice screening programme offered in a systematic and inclusive way to all patients aged 80 years and over registered with a single general practice. The setting was an inner-city National Health Service group practice with a total of seven full-time general practitioners (GPs) and a list size of 12 000 patients. A total of 280 patients were identified as aged 80 years and over. Using a combination of telephone calls, surgery attendances and home visits, an advice worker contacted as many of these patients as possible. A wide range of advice and assistance of both a statutory and non-statutory nature was offered. Follow-up contacts and liaison with the patients' own GPs were arranged as necessary. Contact was made with a total of 206 patients. In total, the adviser made 98 home visits and carried out 82 consultations in the surgery, as well as undertaking 109 interviews over the phone. The findings indicate that an overall total of pound 137 819 was gained in increased annual income amongst the screened patients; in addition, a further pound 11 433 was awarded in one-off payments. A wide range of other benefits and help, including referral to other services and organisations, was gained. Elderly patients within the practice were under-claiming benefits and had many previously unidentified needs. Adopting a proactive and inclusive approach to offering welfare and advice takes time and expense, but the resulting benefits make it worthwhile. Primary care is an effective base from which advice can be delivered and the development of closer working relationships between primary care and advice services can be an effective and efficient way of helping patients.

The feasibility and acceptability of a specialist health and social care team for the promotion of health and independence in 'at risk' older adults

“…Most of these needs led to referral back to the general practitioner, raising the question whether they would have come to the attention of primary care professionals in the normal course of service use and clinical enquiry, without the team's intervention. The extent to which financial resources can be mobilised confirms the findings from a smaller, practice‐based study in the same area (Toeg et al . 2003) and underlines the importance of benefits advice for the older population.…”

The impact of welfare advice in primary care: a qualitative study

“…Currently, many of the services are transient (Widdowfield & Rickard, 1996;Abbott & Hobby, 1999) and the efficacy of alternative service provision models has not been researched. Emanuel (2002) demonstrated that a physical base within the primary care team facilitates close and effective working; Toeg et al (2003) highlighted the benefits of combining domiciliary and practice based services. This, coupled with long term funding, appears to be central to the acceptance and success of the service.…”

The emerging role of Financial Counsellors in supporting Older Persons in financial hardship and with management of Consumer‐directed Care packages within Australia

“…This could include adapting Toeg et al's (2003) model of expansion of the GP referral process through use of electronic database lists of their over 80+ population, with efforts made to contact every 80+ years client (inclusive of outreach home visits) and provide referrals to financial counsellors through contact letters signed by GPs and follow-up phone calls. The options of systemic framework of financial counselling review for Older Person should be considered.…”

“…The options of systemic framework of financial counselling review for Older Person should be considered. This could include adapting Toeg et al's (2003) model of expansion of the GP referral process through use of electronic database lists of their over 80+ population, with efforts made to contact every 80+ years client (inclusive of outreach home visits) and provide referrals to financial counsellors through contact letters signed by GPs and follow-up phone calls. Given Older Persons contact with GPs is relatively high and more frequent in general, this model would also be proactive in outreaching to Older Persons already visiting GPs.…”