Food and drink-related quality of life of older adults living at home

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Supporting the food and drink-related quality of life of older adults living at home from assessment to care delivery: a qualitative study of homecare services in England.

• IRAS ID

  359066

• Contact name

  Lavinia Bertini

• Contact email

  l.bertini@bsms.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Sussex

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  This study is about how we can make sure that older people who use homecare services eat and drink well. We want to find out:
  (a) how food and drink needs are identified, assessed, and included in care planning
  (b) how wellbeing needs related to food and drink are met by homecare in practice
  Older people might find it difficult to eat and drink well. This can be because of ill health, not having enough help, loneliness, and costs of food. Homecare supports older adults in their own home to choose and enjoy what they eat and drink, to socialise (e.g. eating together), and to eat and drink enough. This is important because lack of adequate support with eating and drinking has a negative impact on a person’s quality of life, health, and independence. It also causes stress and concern for family members. In a previous study, we found that the number of older people who use publicly managed homecare in England and reported inadequate support with food and drink has almost doubled. We also found that research focuses mainly on whether older adults drink and eat enough. Less is known on how homecare supports their food and drink-related quality of life. We will work with older adults and family/friend carers to make recommendations on how homecare can better support them with food and drink.

  The study will take place in two English councils over two years. We will:
  1. analyse documents (e.g. assessment forms and guidelines) used to identify/assess the food and drink needs
  of older people who live at home.
  2. Interview older people, family/friend carers, social and care workers to find out what happens in practice.
  3. Participatory workshops to develop recommendations with older people, family carers, social/homecare workers, and commissioners through a to make sure that homecare supports older adults to eat and drink well.

• REC name

  Wales REC 4

• REC reference

  26/WA/0094

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Apr 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion