The experiences of participants in care home research (360G-Wellcome-207126_Z_17_Z)

In the UK, it is estimated that 416,000 older adults (age 65+) live in care homes, a figure predicted to increase due to our increasingly aging population. Despite this, care home research is sparse in comparison to other areas of gerontology. The key goal of my project is to explore participants’ experiences of participating in care home research. First, I will conduct a systematic search of the literature to produce a narrative review of research in care homes, identifying the extent of involvement of staff, residents and relatives. Second, I will conduct six semi-structured interviews with individuals who have already participated in a research project. The questions will address the participant’s role in the home, their previous experience in research, their views on research, perceived challenges and enablers to conducting research in care homes and recommendations for future research. Data will be thematically analysed and the findings presented in a report highlighting the challenges and benefits of conducting research in care homes, and making recommendations for improving methodologies. My work will inform the ENRiCH (Enabling Research in Care Homes) Network, and my findings will be further disseminated to stakeholders at a learned society conference and through a peer-reviewed journal article.