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Article History

Received: 16 December 2023

Accepted: 26 August 2024

First Online: 2 October 2024

Declarations

:

: The study complied with the regulations of both care homes and the Giri Institute of Development Studies.

: Informed consent was secured from every participant involved in the study. Given that all respondents are from care homes, precautions were taken to anonymize their stories by altering their names. It was ensured that the participants' identities remain undisclosed in the future when sharing their stories.

: During the ethnographic study conducted at the care home, the researcher's prior role involved regular visits to the care home for over a year. These visits included interactions with residents to establish rapport, instil comfort, and build trust. Transparency was maintained regarding the researcher's role, ensuring participants were aware of the study's nature and purpose. Additionally, efforts were made to maintain objectivity and minimize undue influence on the participants' responses.

: The informed consent process was not just a formality but a thorough and diligent implementation, considering the diverse literacy levels among participants. Both oral and written consent were obtained, with clear explanations provided regarding the study's objectives, potential risks, benefits, and the right to withdraw participation. The consent process prioritized clarity and comprehension, ensuring that participants could make informed decisions regarding their involvement in the study.

: To safeguard participant confidentiality, real names were not used in the study. Instead, pseudonyms or anonymized descriptions were employed to protect identities. Participants were assured that their personal information, including caste, family background, and economic status, would be shared without compromising their anonymity. This approach ensured that participants felt secure in sharing their experiences and stories without fear of exposure.

: Research data, comprising voice recordings and diary notes, were securely stored on the researcher's laptop to prevent unauthorized access. Strict measures were implemented to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of the data. Access to the data was restricted solely to the researcher, ensuring that sensitive information remained protected. Furthermore, data categorization based on thematic analysis facilitated organized and systematic data management for subsequent analysis.

: The study adhered to all ethical guidelines set forth by the Giri Institute of Development Studies Ethical Committee.

: The data collected for this study are qualitative and predominantly in hard copy format. Following ethical considerations and to preserve the confidentiality and anonymity of the respondents, the original notes and transcripts are not publicly available. However, earlier drafts of the data, in soft copy format, are retained by the researcher. All identifying information about the respondents has been altered for the final manuscript to ensure anonymity. Should there be a specific request for access to the data, it would be provided to facilitate data access where appropriate.