A researcher at Ulster University is seeking older adults and district nurses to share their experiences on ageing well and staying connected in the Western Trust area. Fiona Halpin is conducting a study that aims to better understand what helps older people remain independent, connected, and supported in their own homes and communities.

Halpin said she wants to hear directly from older people about everyday life, including changes in health or independence, feeling connected to others, and the support that makes a difference. She is inviting people aged 65 and over living in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area to take part in one-to-one interviews, which can be held in person or online.

The study also explores the role of district and community nurses in recognizing and responding to frailty and loneliness while caring for people in their own homes. Halpin, who has a registered nursing background, intends to interview district nurses about their experiences and how they address non-clinical issues such as loneliness.

Halpin noted that district nurses are well placed to observe the situation of older adults during home visits. She said nurses often signpost older people to community services, but there is no clear pathway to document or measure the impact of these actions.

The research references a report by the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Siobhan Casey, which projects that the number of people aged 65 and over will exceed the number of children aged 0-15 by mid-2027. Halpin said society is not fully adapted for older people, citing factors such as self-service checkouts, fewer banks and post offices, and a lack of benches and public toilets that can discourage older people from going out.

Halpin said there is a bidirectional relationship between frailty and loneliness, with each condition making the other worse. Her study will also examine how well final-year nursing students at Ulster University are prepared to identify non-clinical issues such as loneliness and to understand frailty in its psychological and social dimensions.

Participants' identities will be kept confidential. Names and personal details will not appear in any reports or publications arising from the study. Information will be stored securely and handled in line with Ulster University's research procedures.

Anyone interested in taking part can contact Fiona Halpin by email or phone. Older adults must be over 65, live in the WHSCT area, and have received district nursing care in the past five years. District or community nurses within the WHSCT who are interested in older adult care may also participate.