'Still a couple' A study of sexuality and intimacy concerns in residential care from the perspective of residents' partners and care staff

摘要: ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii CHAPTER ONE SETTING THE SCENE 1 Later–life relationships – a shared identity, life 2 Residential care origins and current dilemmas 3 Thesis aims structure 6 TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 8 Examining later relationships, intimacy sexuality 9 relationship changes when illness arises 11 The impact on the home-based partner spouse moves into RCF 14 culture, couple perspectives towards 17 Summary 24 THREE METHODOLOGY AND METHODS 26 Introduction Methodological Approach Methods 30 purposive sample 32 Ethical approval 33 Data collection analysis 36 FOUR EXPERIENCE OF GRIEF, LOSS TRANSITION WHEN ILLNESS MEANS SEPARATION 38 Living with feelings ‘It’s up down like bloody radio, I don’t know where am’ 39 Reframing ‘I’m neither wife nor widow’ 45 Losing life-roles so small here, it’s someone took away my gave me else’s’ 50 FIVE MANAGING PRACTICAL ASPECTS 54 Managing practical aspects of ‘if he was sick, how would we manage?’ Gender based roles ‘I didn’t realise much puts running house’ 58 alone ‘the worst time is late afternoon, just I’d be thinking, now what shall have for tea? 61 Maintaining connection did try level best to make ... well you do because loved him bits....to easier there’ 65 Keeping appearances ‘He meticulous fastidious man’ 67 69 SIX PRIVACY SURVEILLANCE 71 Having little bit privacy ‘You wonder if our place any comment about they’re to’. Forming attitudes opinions ‘A lot staff around this table haven’t addressed their own thoughts this’ 75