This longitudinal, qualitative study examines how older people with supportive care needs experience later life, what preparations they make for the end of life and what supports or undermines their sense of dignity, when they become dependent on the help of others.
Dignity is understood as encompassing respect, recognition, autonomy, independence and identity. The participant group will be followed over a period of three years (ending in December 2010).
The study is interested in highlighting the views and perspectives of older people which are believed to be fundamentally important but not adequately understood. The questions to explore are:
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol
The aim of this project is to examine the experiences of older people who receive care and support, and to identify the ways they think that their sense of dignity is maintained or undermined at this time.
(School for Policy Studies, Bristol University)
