Older people, even those living with long-term conditions or poor mobility, can be supported to live well at home, through adapting their home to meet changing need. Installing home adaptations, from grab rails to walk in shower rooms, is cost effective, may prevent falls, reduce social isolation and improve self confidence. Despite austerity cuts to public spending, the UK government increased home adaptations’ funding. However, not much is known about older people’s experiences and understanding of acquiring and living with home adaptations and uptake of home adaptations could be improved. Using wearable camera and face to face interview data, this qualitative study explored a diverse group of older people’s retrospective experiences (n = 30). Focus group discussions were also carried out with a wide range of professionals involved in the provision of home adaptations (n = 39). Findings suggest people may delay having adaptations, because of perceived stigmatising associations with decline and vulnerability. As delaying the installation of home adaptations until crisis point is known to reduce their effectiveness, such associations need to be challenged.

Prevalence of leg ulcers increases with age due to an increase in risk factors, including immobility and venous disease. With an increasingly aging population, therefore, the number of older adults with leg ulcers is increasing. Older adults with leg ulcers experience frequent pain and discomfort, and yet pain in this population is poorly managed. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of the use of analgesic dressings in older adults with leg ulcers, including their perception of current pain management, feasibility of an analgesic dressing, and potential challenges. The overriding objective was to use the information to design a novel advanced dressing that is highly effective and acceptable to patients and health professionals at affordable cost. Focus groups involving nurses, with experience of leg ulcers, were conducted. Participants were asked their opinion on pain from leg ulcers, including perception of current pain management, feasibility of an analgesic dressing, and potential challenges of using analgesia in this format. Focus groups and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a framework approach. Fifteen nurses attended two focus groups and one older adult completed a telephone interview. The overall opinion of an analgesic dressing were very positive; the key themes relating to the use of an analgesic dressing in practice include duration of pain relief; when pain occurs; type of analgesic; skin integrity; training/experience; compliance; and dressing practicalities. Leg ulcers are well known to be painful and often associated with social stigma. A dressing that deals with absorption issues and can help to manage pain, particularly during dressing changes (when pain is highest), would be welcomed by nurse professionals. This preliminary study provides a basis upon which future research can be based.