Also, we have been involved in the development of the UK's first continuing care retirement community (Hartrigg Oaks), and the development of a new qualification for care workers (Certificate in Care).

The ten most recent research Findings are:

• Using ‘Talking Mats’ to help people with dementia to communicate(November 2007)
  This study assesses whether Talking Mats, a low-tech communication tool, help people with dementia to communicate, and how effective they are for people at different stages of dementia.
• Promoting social well-being in extra care housing(August 2007)
  This study looks at ways of promoting and facilitating the social well-being of "frail" people living in extra care housing.
• Our lives, our communities: Promoting independence and inclusion for people with learning difficulties(August 2007)
  This research, by people with learning difficulties, examines the issue of independence and inclusion.
• The impact of the Supporting People programme on adults with learning disabilities(August 2007)
  This research explores how the Government,s Supporting People programme is affecting housing and support for people with learning disabilities.
• Free personal care in Scotland: recent developments(July 2007)
  This study examines the operation of the free personal care policy in Scotland, and considers its impact, problems and limitations.
• How can funding of long-term care adapt for an ageing population?(June 2007)
  This study suggests improvements to the current methods of funding long-term care, and demonstrates how some of these solutions can work in practice.
• Service users' views of specialist palliative care social work(November 2006)
  This study focuses on service users' experience of specialist palliative care social work. The participatory project explored service users' views as a basis for improving it, by their involvement in its organisation, training, evaluation and review.
• Making user involvement work: supporting service user networking and knowledge(November 2006)
  This study examines major barriers to service user networking and knowledge and ways service users see of overcoming these.
• Characteristics of care providers and care receivers over time(October 2006)
  This study draws on census data to examine who provides unpaid care and how this may have changed over time.
• Changes in communal provision for adult social care: 1991-2001(July 2006)
  Drawing on Census data, this study highlights changes in the provision of care homes within Great Britain between 1991 and 2001.

The JRF also publishes a series of Foundations that bring together related projects in some areas:

• Making housing and community care work- June 1997
• Supporting disabled children and their families- November 1999
• Low intensity support: preventing dependency- January 1999
• Supported living and supported employment: opening up opportunities to people woth learning difficulties- July 1998
• Meeting the costs of continuing care- January 1997