Care needs of multimorbid older adults, post mental health admission
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A phenomenological study to understand the experiences of care needs of older adults with multimorbidity and mental health illness, following an admission to a mental health hospital
IRAS ID
351079
Contact name
Naomi Purdie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 14 days
Research summary
This research aims to explore and deepen the understanding of the lived experiences of clinical care of older adults, aged 60 years and older, with multimorbid physical and mental health conditions following admission to an older person’s mental health (OPMH) inpatient hospital. Additionally, the perspectives of their significant others and healthcare professionals are considered.
The UK has an ageing population; it is predicted that by 2050, one in four people will be aged over 65 years, with 80% of older adults diagnosed with multiple long-term conditions (multi-morbidity). Alongside multi-morbid physical illness, one in four older people has a mental health (MH) illness, dementia, and depression, which are most common.
Older adults with multi-morbidity often experience negative outcomes in hospitals, including extended wait times, multiple transfers, and delays in accessing community care. The cumulative effect of these factors increases the risk of mortality or leaving the hospital more dependent than when they arrived. For older adults with the complexity of both physical and mental health illnesses, it is reasonable to predict that their experiences in OPMH hospitals might be equally poor.
The MH strategic plan makes recommendations to address healthcare inequalities; however, including older adults as a “silver thread” within the wider adult MH strategy inadequately addresses the unique needs of the older population.
The proposed study will use an interpretive phenomenology approach, combined with a literature review, to broadly understand what is already known. One-to-one semi-structured interviews with the aforementioned older adults will be used to explore their experiences of clinical care within OPMH inpatient services. Additionally, one-to-one semi-structured interviews with the older adults' significant others to gain insight into their reflections on supporting the older adult, the healthcare professionals' perspective on delivering this clinical care, and their interpretations of the older adults' and significant others' experiences mentioned above.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0200
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion