Dignity in care

Project overview

Later life is a time of significant change and challenge. The increased likelihood of bereavement and problems with health and mobility bring death into sharp focus and can pose a threat to older people's autonomy and sense of dignity.

The aim of this research was to examine how older people with supportive care needs experience this stage of the life-course, what preparations they make for the end of life and what supports or undermines their sense of dignity.

Dignity has become an important principle in the development of services. We understand dignity as encompassing respect, recognition, autonomy, independence and identity.

The research examined how changing circumstances, including increased dependency on others affects participants’ sense of dignity.

Findings

Maintaining dignity in later life (PDF, 973KB)

View all project findings.

Further information

For more information, read the full project details.