Exploring the impact of Changes in contact with Food for older womens’ Experience (CAFÉ) Fiona Poland, Kathleen Lane, Lee Hooper

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Co-applicants: Lee Hooper (PI) Paula Skidmore Fiona Poland John Potter Researcher: Kathleen Lane

Background Food practices contribute to expressions of: gender, class, location, ethnicity and beliefs, conveying a sense of identity and self. For older women, food planning, purchasing, preparation and serving often distinctive and vital part of their roles Where women have reduced involvement in food tasks, physiological food needs often supported by services e.g. meals-on-wheels, informal family support, congregate meals. Changes may affect women’s sense of well-being, identity, self-esteem and engagement with family and friends Psycho-social implications of these changes not much explored, nor links to service development or policy consequences.

Aims of this study Qualitative study with women 65+ years who live at home but do not prepare their own main meals. In-depth interviews and focus groups used to explore how older women respond to their experiences of reduced contact with food, specifically: meanings of food social engagement and well-being how this impact alters over time potential to intervene to restore greater contact with food in these women

Gaining from sharing research development This study developed and Analysis is being supported Through a wider group of service users, providers, members of the public and older women with an interest in the area.

How and Where of Recruitment Recruitment started through a list of Day Centres and Lunch Clubs provided via Norfolk County Council’s Commissioning Officer and Older People’s Strategy Leader KL also spoke to friends and acquaintances potentially helpful in linking with people or community organisations with potential interest in the project

Initial responses Nearly every place contacted showed some interest in CAFÉ – or at least discussed contacting them with politeness! A few women joined CAFÉ

Other, later points of contact with successful outcome Press releases, radio interview Poster at County Hall placed by insider Community group suggested by Consultation Group member Day centres signposted by Age Concern Links to meals-on-wheels contact Researcher (KL) presentation at Norfolk Council on Ageing meeting

Recruitment and communication General manner and approach of the researcher How the researcher and/or the research is received

Researcher manner and approach Sometimes, face-to-face better than phone If the point of contact for community group or a lunch club is not the gatekeeper for visit, the researcher needs to take extra care to ensure contact point understands CAFÉ study - inter alia, be sensitive to the type of group, the setting, how you and/or your words might be perceived Refer to key relevant study partners (e.g. here, Age Concern Norfolk)

How researcher and/or the research is received Most people seemed very interested in CAFÉ expressing the opinion it was ‘worthwhile’ A few women, responded on hearing about CAFÉ: “I always do my own cooking” Sometimes, the point of contact introduced me as someone “who wants to talk to you about your diet” or “about what you eat”

Research considerations Initial criteria were ‘off the mark’ 3- to 6-month period “since women changed to other forms of food support” – i.e. we found that most women experienced a transition rather than a major life event which changed how they obtained their main meals Some women felt that “what I have to say wouldn’t be interesting” or that “I wouldn’t be any use to you”

Insights from recruitment: ambivalence about the topic? "I hope you won't be offended but I don't want to take it further." - reason given by one woman for not joining CAFE, after initial expression of interest and having thought about it for a week. "I don't like to tie myself up." "I am very naughty because I don't cook any longer." – (older woman using a day centre) Spoken seriously, not in jest.

Initial insights from the research: better things to do than cooking? "Can you ask them [people to whom you're giving your report] to change the Dial-a- Bus to take me to a different supermarket once a month, instead of the same place each week?" [Participant aged 80s] Researcher: ‘In terms of food, is there anything that you would like that would make your life better? Participant: "..a maid or a cook!" "I love not missing it [preparing food from scratch]!" [Participant aged 90s - laughing]

More information on CAFÉ Website:

For further information contact: Dr Kathleen Lane Centre for Applied Research in Education and Dr Lee Hooper School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice University of East Anglia

Many thanks to: Our community participants Our community-based partners The CAFÉ Consultation Group members The Economic and Social Research Council You – for your time and attention!