What do we hope to achieve?

The aim of this project is to better understand the origins of the policy drive for and people’s preference of living at home towards the end of their life; how different housing types and tenures shape their experience of being at home for patients who have advanced progressive illness, their families and friends, and health and social care professionals; and 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 funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). To find out more about them click here.

Why do we need to know this?

We know that most people would prefer to be at home as they reach the end of their lives. We also know that housing can significantly impact the experience of health and illness, but we do not have much evidence on how housing can influence living with an advanced progressive illness and everyday life for people reaching the end of their lives, their families and friends, and their care providers.

Knowing how housing type and tenure can influence this experience is particularly important for people living in urban locations and on low incomes, who typically live in smaller homes and can experience overcrowding, who may experience poor living conditions, or may have precarious rental tenancies.

How will we do the study?

Split across four internationally leading research centres, and led by Principal Investigator Professor Kate Woodthorpe, over three years (2025-2028) we will:

1. Provide a detailed analysis of the history and evolution of policy on supporting people to reach the of their lives at home since the 1970s, to understand how the concept of ‘home’ is deployed in this policy narrative and why this outcome has come to dominate the policy and practice landscape. The academic leading this part of the study will be Professor Julie-Marie Strange.

2. Identify the meaning of ‘home’ and the role and impact of housing type and tenure on living with advanced progressive illness at home, from the perspective of patients and family members living in urban locations on low incomes and service providers. The academics leading this part of the study will be Professor Kate Woodthorpe, Dr Diana Teggi , Dr Jeremy Dixon, Professor Liz Walker and Professor Fliss Murtagh.

3. Make recommendations on the impact of housing type and tenure for people reaching the end of their lives. The academic lead for this part of the project will be Dr Julie Rugg.

We will be updating this webpage as the study develops and circulating details of the research via our project newsletter - TO BE UPDATED SOON. If you would like to receive the newsletter and find out more about the study, please contact us on LWAPI@bath.ac.uk.