Older peoples' experiences of independence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Older peoples' experiences of independence: taking control of daily life in care homes
IRAS ID
143728
Contact name
Carole Payne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
8531, Research Governance Office reference number (Southampton University)
Research summary
This is an M/Phil / Ph D research project, funded by Southampton University, which seeks to answer the question; Do older people with complex needs experience independence, by taking control over their daily lives in care homes?
The research acknowledges that there is a growing older population who have increasingly complex needs, who need long-term care. These needs may restrict opportunities for people to take control over their daily lives when they are reliant on care and support. Further government policy focuses on keeping older people active and healthy for longer, which may ignore people who do need long term care. English providers also face regulation and restricted spending which may limit resources to support people to be independent. This study uses an ethnographic, longitudinal approach. Participant observation is the main method of collecting data, where the researcher, is not involved in caring, but gets to know people by observing their daily life and entering into informal conversation with participants to verify and explore themes. Up to ninety six hours will be spent in three care homes, observing forty participants in each home; older people with complex needs, their families and the staff who care for them. The methods also include the review of secondary data, including peoples' care records. Field notes are analysed, after each observation to produce a concurrent thematic account. The research will examine what works well and what may undermine opportunities for people to be independent. The intention is to develop findings which could inform policy makers and care home providers and people giving and receiving care.
Therefore the aims of the research are to understand how, or if, older people, with complex needs are independent by taking control over their daily lives in care homes, taking into account caring relationships with staff and families.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
14/IEC08/1011
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion