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Home Support Research - Recruitment Screener - March 2026

Dear Participant,

Thank you for agreeing to take part in this research. My name is Dr. Karen Hand and I am doing research around home support services and women over the age of 65. This research is being coordinated by the National Women's Council and is being funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission

This research seeks to understand the barriers and enablers for older women around home support services. The research discussion will be recorded but the discussion is confidential and all of your personal details will be kept anonymous.

No risks are expected from your participation in this research and your participation is completely voluntary. You may withdraw your participation from this research at any time without prejudice or reason. All information will be stored anonymously and securely and will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014, you have the right to request access to your personal data, and the overall results of the study at any time.

If you have questions on any aspect of this study, or queries regarding your participation in it, feel free to contact me (details below).

Once again, many thanks for your participation. Your responses to this complex and challenging issue are greatly appreciated,

Yours sincerely

Karen Hand PhD

Strategy & Research
Email: karenhand9@gmail.com
1.What is your gender identity?(Required.)
2.What age are you?
(Please write in the box below.)(Required.)
3.Where do you live now? (Please tick one answer.)(Required.)
4.What is your ethnicity?
(Please choose best fit from list below.)(Required.)
5.Are you currently receiving any support for yourself from the HSE Home Support Service?(Required.)
6.If answered Yes: How many hours per week are you receiving?
7.If answered No: Do you think you might need Home Support today or in the near future?
8.Are you currently receiving any home support for yourself that you are paying for?(Required.)
9.Are you currently in receipt of any of the following cards – Medical Card, GP Visit Card, or other cards?(Required.)
10.Do you regularly provide unpaid care or support for another person (for example a partner, child, other family member, etc.) – This is separate from any care you may provide to others as part of paid employment.(Required.)
11.Do you live alone?(Required.)
12.In the past 12 months, have you experienced any problems with stable and secure housing or being homeless?(Required.)
13.In the past 12 months, have you experienced any difficulties keeping your home adequately warm due to cost?(Required.)
We are hosting a focus group for women 65 years or over to join a discussion about HSE Home Support Service in Ireland. This will be an opportunity to share your views on the Home Support you currently receive or your view on what support you want in the future.

This will be a confidential discussion with researcher Dr. Karen Hand and all personal details will remain anonymous.
14.Would you be available to join an on-line group discussion about home support services and older women?(Required.)
15.If yes, would you be available to join the focus group on one of the following times (please tick all that would work)(Required.)
These focus groups will run for one hour – you will receive a link in advance and you can dial in ten minutes before hand to make sure the connection works.
16.If yes – what is the best email address
for us to contact to send the zoom link?(Required.)
Please note – we will remove your private email addresses from our system after we complete the focus group. If you would like to keep in contact regarding the final report – we would be delighted to keep you involved in the presentations of final research.

Once again, many thanks for your participation. Your responses to this complex and challenging issue are greatly appreciated,

Yours sincerely

Karen Hand PhD

Email: karenhand9@gmail.com