Me & You

The Department of Health defines a care home as an establishment that, ‘provides accommodation, together with nursing or personal care for [individuals who] are or have been ill, persons who have or who have had a mental disorder, persons who are disabled or infirm’ (Department of Health, 2000, p.3).
 
Older people living in care homes have some of the most complex needs of society (Office of Fair Trading, 2005). Levels of dependency are high. In one national survey undertaken by BUPA and the Centre for the Policy of Ageing (Lievesley, Crosby and Bowman, 2011) 90% of care home residents were identified as having high support needs.

This enquiry explored the role of design in supporting meaningful conversations for older people living in care homes. The outbreak of COVID-19 meant that care homes became closed communities. As a consequence, residents who were frail or facing end of life were unable to tell family members how they felt and to say goodbye. This enforced separation also made it difficult for family members.  

An earlier enquiry, funded by Marie Curie, identified topics that individuals at end of life identified as being meaningful and questions people wished they had asked their relative whilst they were still alive. These topics and questions were translated into the research-informed product: You & Me.  

Current research is evaluating the potential of Me &You to support relationships between older people living in care homes and their family members, offering individuals the opportunity to express what is important. 

This little resource prompts you to record all the things you want to say to your loved one but somehow just never have time to put into words. 

Me & You Participant