Experiencing homelessness and memory problems: A qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiencing homelessness and memory problems, aged fifty and over: An ethnographic study exploring how to support a multiply disadvantaged population (Work package 1 of HOME (Homeless, Older and experiencing MEmory problems) study.
IRAS ID
292863
Contact name
Penny Rapaport
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
7072, Researchregistry.com
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study is the first work package of a wider project in which we will coproduce and test a support intervention for older hostel residents with memory problems. The aim of this study is to explore how stakeholders understand and experience support for older people with memory problems in hostel accommodation, what works, what are meaningful outcomes, what factors determine current support and what can facilitate a shift in these factors.
We will do this by:
1. Interviewing a total of 45 people, including homeless people with memory problems, hostel staff and managers; and practitioners working in support services.
2. Directly observing staff in hostels supporting older people with memory problems. Observations will be in a minimum of three hostels with 5 managers, 10 hostel workers and up to 15 residents with memory problems.For both the interviews and observations semi structured topic guides will be used. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed and written field notes will be made for the observations and subsequently typed up by the researcher who conducted the observation. Qualitative data will be analysed using standard qualitative techniques.
We will obtain informed consent from everyone observed or interviewed who is able to decide whether to take part. We will include people living with memory problems who do not have capacity to consent in the observations but not the interviews, and will abide by the Mental Capacity Act where we do so. I will work with patient and public involvement representatives with lived experiences of homelessness and memory problems throughout the research process and this research will potentially help those who are homeless, the workforce supporting them and those delivering and commissioning services.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0541
Date of REC Opinion
6 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion