We know that most people would prefer to be at home as they reach the end of their lives.
However, what happens when the conditions of the home do not provide the desired environment for dying is not well understood.
Knowing how housing type and tenure can influence the experience of receiving end of life care in the home is particularly important for people living in urban locations and on low incomes. These groups typically live in smaller homes and can experience overcrowding, poor living conditions, and may have precarious rental tenancies.
The aim of the study is to better understand:
- The origins of people’s preferences for living at home towards the end of life and the policy drive for delivering palliative care at home.
- How different housing types and tenures shape the experience of being at home for patients who have advanced progressive illness, their families and friends, and health and social care professionals.
- What changes could be made to housing design, plans, policies, and practice to better support people reaching the end of their lives at home.
This project is a collaboration between researchers at the Universities of Hull, Bath, Durham, York and Cardiff.
More information on this project