Social Research Methods to Support Involvement of Community Dwelling Older Adults With Complex Needs in Assessment of Their Care Related Quality of Life

Abstract Background: Determining whether the needs and preferences of older adults are being met by new ‘ageing in place’ and ‘consumer directed’ care’ policies presents methodological challenges.Methods: This study explored how a cascading methodology, offering different supports as needed, promoted assessment of care related quality of life that was inclusive of home care services users with cognitive and physical disabilities. Multiple tools from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) were tested in a sample of older adults living at home in one geographic region in NSW (Australia). Results: Both physical assistance, emotional support and an ‘Easy Read’ format facilitated the inclusion of those with greater physical and cognitive impairments. Importantly, their inclusion identified their greater unmet needs in seven out of eight quality of life domains. Conclusion: The adoption of more inclusive social research methodologies is critical to understanding if shifts in aged and social care policies support quality of life for the most vulnerable.