Older people's day centres' preventive work: views of day centre providers and their stakeholders.

PURPOSE

Day centres in England provide important social support to people living in the community. Our study aimed to further understandings of day centres' contribution to health and social care's preventive agenda.

METHODS

After obtaining ethical approval, we conducted qualitative interviews with 10-day centre stakeholders and 9 professional stakeholders, exploring their perceptions of day centres' preventive function. Participants' job roles provide context, while individual characteristics are anonymized.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified that day centre staff and volunteer activities to monitor attenders and intervene when needed align with the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention framework. A fourth theme, systemic opportunities, incorporates evidence, joint working and challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Day centres for older people can be well-placed to contribute to integrated care's prevailing preventive agenda. However, tight budgets and limited joint commissioning practices potentially miss the benefits of anticipatory care day centres may offer to maintaining well-being and preventing deterioration.