End of Life Care in Care Homes

Project: Research council

Project Details

Description

My research looks at End of Life Care (EOLC) for and with old adults living and dying in care homes. Given the ageing of populations and the epidemiological transition to non-communicable diseases, more and more people are expected to die in their late 80s when the incidence of dementia, chronic disabling illnesses and institutionalisation is higher. Hence, this PhD answers whether care homes provide - or have the potential to provide - a kind of EOLC that is attuned to the hallmarks of dying in the 21st century England, that is in late old age (80+), with severe disability, frailty, and dementia. It does so by applying a mixed methods design that integrates multivariate analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) with ethnographic observation and interviewing of staff in up to six care homes in the South West of England. This project thus addresses the lack of up-to-date evidence base to inform EOLC practice in institutional long-term care. Further, it investigates the potential and hurdles of EOLC provision in the care home sector.

Layman's description

My research looks at older adults living and dying in care homes. The UK is at the forefront of addressing dying in late old age. British end of life care (EOLC) relies on the strong legacy of Dame Cicely Saunders and the Modern Hospice Movement. Further, England was the first country to issue a comprehensive EOLC policy at the national level. Nonetheless, EOLC for older adults in care homes does not come without issues. My project addresses the following research questions:

1) Is EOLC in care homes responsive to dying in late old age?

2) Who are the old adults most likely to end their lives in a care home as opposed to other care settings?

3) How is EOLC undertaken in a care home setting?
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date2/10/1720/11/21

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

  • old age
  • care homes
  • end of life care
  • social care
  • care work
  • palliative care
  • death and dying
  • death expectation
  • death communication
  • emotional care
  • bodywork

RCUK Research Areas

  • Social Policy
  • Sociology

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.