Negotiating Risk during COVID: Implications for Adult Social Care

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The Negotiation of Safety and Risk: Implications for Adult Social Care Services for People with Dementia and Their Carers Living in the Community

  • IRAS ID

    296583

  • Contact name

    Denise Tanner

  • Contact email

    D.L.Tanner@bham.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Birmingham Research Governance

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    To date there is limited understanding of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the day-to-day lives of people with dementia living in the community. This project will provide insight on how ideas of safety and risk impact social activities for people with dementia, and their carer and care worker, which will inform social care services to provide better support. In addition, as little research currently exists on the use of remote methods of data collection or consent with people with dementia, this project will provide a better understanding of virtual research in practice. The term ‘carer’ refers to the individual who supports the person with dementia in an unpaid capacity, whether they be a family member or friend. ‘Care worker’ refers to the primary paid care supporter. A carer, care worker and a person with dementia are a part of what is called the ‘dementia caring triad’.

    This PhD project is funded by the NIHR School of Social Care Research at the University of Birmingham. The research will begin in September 2021 and will take two years to complete, with all fieldwork in Sheffield. The recruitment of ten groups of three participants consisting of a person with dementia, their carer and their care worker will occur either in-person at social events hosted by partnering organisations, or remotely through virtual dementia cafes and advertisements. Participants will be given a camera to capture photographs of what safety and risk mean in their experience of carrying out daily social activities, followed by remote interviews. Participants will be involved in the analysis of data to ensure accurate representation of their experiences. The researcher will work with stakeholders to produce a report for Sheffield-based social care services and an accessible summary of the findings for the community.

  • REC name

    London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/LO/0560

  • Date of REC Opinion

    27 Aug 2021

  • REC opinion

    Unfavourable Opinion