Across Europe, millions of people live in care homes and with an ageing population, that number is set to grow. This brings new challenges for health and social care systems:
- Pressure on medical services
- Shortages of care professionals
- Increasing frailty and multimorbidity
- Adaptations for people living with cognitive impairment and dementia
- Financial pressures on governments and families
- End-of-life care provision
- The integration of AI and other emerging technologies.
These are just a few of the day-to-day realities faced by care homes. Yet, despite the complexity, social care research remains surprisingly limited.
At Nightingale Hammerson, we’re working to change that. Our mission is to strengthen the connection between care providers and academics, supporting co-produced research and challenging current practices in social care.
Over the past five years, we have participated in over 80 research studies across our two London care homes, partnering with universities from the UK and internationally. These studies range from resident and staff surveys to advanced medical research, including electroencephalograms for people in early stages of cognitive impairment.
Why is this important? Researchers act as our critical friends, observing our practices, asking tough questions, and helping us reflect on how to continuously improve care delivery.
In 2021, we launched the Care Home Research Forum, an event designed to bring researchers, care providers, residents, families, regulators, and policymakers together. The forum provides a platform for researchers to share findings, followed by in-depth Q&A sessions.
The forum has grown into a unique international event. Last year, we welcomed over 100 attendees in person and 100+ online participants from 18 countries, including the US, Australia, India, China, Israel, Latin America, and across Europe. At this year’s edition on the 6th November, we expect an even bigger attendance. If you would like to join us, please book tickets here: CHRF 2025 | Nightingale Hammerson
Research is not just academic, it’s transformative. It shapes the future of social care, informs policy, and ultimately improves the lives of Residents and team members alike.
At Nightingale Hammerson, we will continue to champion research, ensuring it remains central to outstanding care delivery and decision-making.
🔗 Learn more about our research initiatives here: Nightingale Hammerson Research
