Adopting relational care in older adult care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Making the case for adoption of relational care in older adult care
IRAS ID
366223
Contact name
Manik Gopinath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Open University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
The need for a transition from person-centred care to relational care is increasingly acknowledged for older adults living in residential care homes (3,4). Instead of a uni-directional flow of care from the caregiver to the care receiver, relational care recognises that human wellbeing requires interdependence - a move away from seeing individuals as a collection of needs to be met by others, towards mutuality in caring relationships. Emotional, physical, social and spiritual environments facilitating multidirectional flows of care enable everyone involved to contribute flexibly to the lives of their peers and communities (1).
A previous study by Gopinath et al (2) identified older adults' experiences of meaningful relationships as requiring further investigation. This one-year qualitative study with older adults and their relatives/friends across 3 residential care homes (of different sizes, ownership and locations) in England addresses that gap, exploring care home residents' experience of relationships with staff, fellow residents and the wider community; what benefits these bring to their daily life and wellbeing; and what factors enable or hinder its development.
Using interviews, focus groups and observations, adapted to individual communication and capacity needs of residents, conversations will range from 45 minute to 90 minutes, at a mutually convenient time at the care home. Participation is entirely voluntary.
1. Gopinath, M., Larkin, M., Kartupelis, J., deLappe, J., and Wilson, A. (2026), The care of older people in care settings: from person-centred to relational care, International Journal of Care and Caring (accepted for publication)
2. Gopinath, M., de Lappe, J., Kartupelis, J., Larkin, M. and Wilson, A. (2023). The value and practice of relational care with older people. Milton Keynes: The Open University
3. Kartupelis, J. (2021). Making Relational Care Work for Older People. London: Routledge.
4. Rockwell, J. (2012). From person-centred to relational care, Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(3), pp.233–248.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0284
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion