New research by My Home Life England reveals six ways that care homes support older people to thrive

Research from City St George’s, University of London (My Home Life England initiative) reveals the breadth of experiences of older people living in care homes across the UK. 

The new study, one of the largest ever qualitative research studies on older people’s experiences of living in residential care, identifies some challenges, but reveals proportionally many more benefits of living in a care home.

The insights and stories, heard directly from older people themselves, as well as care teams and families, shine a light on six key ways that older people can thrive in a care home, if the conditions are right.

The findings cluster into six emerging themes: Thrive Relationally, Thrive Actively, Thrive Inclusively, Thrive Securely, Thrive with Dignity, and Thrive Healthily.

The research was funded by Hallmark Foundation.

>>> Watch an animation and see the report’s key findings

Key findings:

1) Thrive Relationally
Being around others was a lifeline for many older people, who had felt isolated living on their own. Many had formed friendships with others and relationships with their care team. Moving to a care home had also helped restore strained family relationships. Families felt welcomed, reassured, and able to stay actively involved in their older relative’s life.

2) Thrive Actively
Whilst living at home, some older people had not been able to do the things they enjoyed. Care home activities and connections with the community enriched lives and helped older people to find purpose and feel valued.

“Instead of being miserable at home and nothing to do, …plenty of things to do here…Occupy my mind.” Wally, aged 93

3) Thrive Inclusively
Care homes can be inclusive environments where diversity is valued and respected. The report shares examples of older people being supported to embrace their faith, culture, ethnicity, sexuality and gender identity. This also helped families feel confident that their older relative would be well-supported.

“We have made an environment where somebody feels so safe that at age 82… he’s been able to come out [as gay]… I thought my job is done…if this environment is safe enough that somebody feels that they can do that, this environment is correct.” Jay, care home manager

4) Thrive Securely
Before moving into a care home, some of the older people spoken to were living difficult lives, experiencing poor housing, insecurity and even violence. Others felt anxious about being alone in their own homes, especially at night. Care homes can offer the reassurance and safety that some older people might need, and also alleviate the strain and worry for families.

“When I get into that bed at night, I know I’m safe. And I know if I’m not well someone will come in. It’s a lovely feeling. And they’re so kind”. Irene, aged 81

5) Thrive with Dignity
Many older people found it increasingly difficult to keep on top of household chores such as laundry before they moved to a care home. They really valued that these things were now taken care of. Others had previously struggled with personal care, but now had support from care staff with things like bathing and using the toilet.

6) Thrive Healthily
Care homes support with healthcare, including managing medications and noticing when things aren’t right. Through care teams recognising changes and responding quickly, many older people felt that their health had improved since moving in. They also put this down to regular mealtimes and good quality food.

“When I was at home… it used to take me an hour and a half to get a cup of tea. And I lived for a fortnight on brown bread, Marmite and oranges…I was lacking good food.” Suzanne, aged 98

My Home Life England spoke to 125 people across 16 care homes in England, Scotland and Wales. The older people who took part had an average age of 85 and had spent an average of two years living in a care home. The research reveals that, although there can be challenges to living in a care home, when the conditions are right, residential care can support older people to really thrive.

Dr Bethany Morgan Brett, Research Fellow at My Home Life England, added:

“Historically, the voices of older people living in care homes have not been heard, so it has been a real privilege for My Home Life England to hear, in-depth and on an extraordinary scale, the experiences of older people, families and care teams living, visiting and working in care homes across the UK. We have uncovered many ways in which older people can and do benefit from residential care and, when care homes are operating well, the conditions under which older people can thrive. These findings make a valuable contribution to better understanding what matters to older people living in care homes and will have significant implications for the ways in which long term residential care is perceived.”

>>> To see the full research, please visit: myhomelife.org.uk/thriving

For more information, please contact: mhl@city.ac.uk

About City St George’s, University of London

City St George’s, University of London is the University of business, practice and the professions.

City St George’s attracts around 27,000 students from more than 150 countries.

Our academic range is broadly-based with world-leading strengths in business; law; health and medical sciences; mathematics; computer science; engineering; social sciences; and the arts including journalism, dance and music.

In August 2024, City, University of London merged with St George’s, University of London creating a powerful multi-faculty institution. The combined university is now one of the largest suppliers of the health workforce in the capital, as well as one of the largest higher education destinations for London students.

City St George’s campuses are spread across London in Clerkenwell, Moorgate and Tooting, where we share a clinical environment with a major London teaching hospital.

Our students are at the heart of everything that we do, and we are committed to supporting them to go out and get good jobs.

Our research is impactful, engaged and at the frontier of practice. In the last REF (2021) 86 per cent of City research was rated as ‘world-leading’ 4* (40%) and ‘internationally excellent’ 3* (46%). St George’s was ranked joint 8th in the country for research impact with 100% of impact cases judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. As City St George’s we will seize the opportunity to carry out interdisciplinary research which will have positive impact on the world around us.

Over 175,000 former students in over 170 countries are members of the City St George’s Alumni Network.

City St George’s is led by Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein.

Hallmark Foundation
Hallmark Foundation aims to create a Britain where everyone can age well every step of the way.

Hallmark Foundation funds policy, research and practical projects to improve care and promote ageing well across the life course.

See www.hallmarkfoundation.org.uk for Hallmark Foundation’s latest impact report.