What is the purpose of this research project?

Older adults with higher care needs are the group most in need of support to help manage their joint pain alongside additional conditions but are currently the least likely to be able to access support. Many older adults with joint pain living within care settings such as care homes have different degrees of cognitive impairment, and this is often seen as a barrier to self-manage without considerable support from carers (e.g. they may be unable to undertake exercise activity independently).

The SUSTAIN project (conducted by Cardiff University and funded by the UK Research Institute) aims to develop a new way to support carers to have the knowledge skills and confidence to support people living with multiple conditions. We will develop training resources that aim to increase carers’ understanding of a model of personalised self-management support that becomes a ‘way of working’. Carers will develop their knowledge and skills to empower them to make key changes in the way they support individuals to make decisions and be involved in their care. We will achieve this by working together with carers and people with joint pain and additional conditions, care providers, staff working in social care and charities to develop training resources.

What does the project involve?

We would like to interview care staff about their experiences of caring for older people with multiple long-term conditions to find out what matters most, their challenges and how they feel
about their role as carers. We will compile a short film from these interviews which will be shown to other carers and people working in the care sector. This will be used to help us to work together
to co-design new training and support that people want and need.

The interviews and co-design groups will all be held online (e.g via Zoom) and should last no longer than 60-90 minutes. Everyone will receive a £25 gift voucher for taking part.

How can care home staff get involved?

We would like to hear from any members of care home staff who might be interested in taking part in either an interview or a co-design group.

Interviews will be held in January-February 2023, and the co-design groups will be held in March-April 2023. The project finishes at the end of August 2023.

Who should care home staff contact for more information?

If care home staff are interested in taking part, or would like more information, they can contact: Dr Kate Button Email: buttonk@cardiff.ac.uk Phone: 02920687734