A partnership that works
Many of the centres visited were working in partnership with other community groups and organisations. By working with organisations such as sports clubs, theatres, and libraries, they were able to offer a more diverse programme of opportunities, providing greater choice and variety for people.
Researchers also learnt about the partnerships between day care services and healthcare, which were actively contributing to the preventative agenda. For example, several of the day centres were delivering health education interventions, including programmes focused on mobility and strength or to support the management of conditions such as diabetes or long COVID.
In addition, other centres were providing long-term support as part of NHS pathways – for example long-term falls prevention or rehabilitation programmes post-NHS discharge – while some day centres specialising in dementia were working with local dementia clinics to hold joint clinics.
These findings suggest that day care services have the potential to contribute to wider health and social care policy aims, including playing a central role in local location-based partnerships, supporting wellbeing and health of older people and carers, providing opportunities for connection and joy, and serving as a central and trusted partner in local community networks and partnerships.