Good evidence for what works means knowing for whom it works

The range of experiences starkly demonstrates both the opportunities that later life can present to people but also how many people are missing out.

• The ‘thriving boomers’ are broadly financially secure, in good health, have strong social connections and feel fortunate for the advantages that they have had.
• The ‘downbeat boomers’ are in the best financial position and are also in reasonable health, but when comparing themselves to others, they tend to reflect on opportunities missed or things they could have done differently.
• The ‘can-do and connected’, despite poor health, and a relative lack of financial security have strong social connections which help them remain positive about life.
• The ‘worried and disconnected’, who have already stopped work, particularly miss the social aspects of working.
• The ‘squeezed middle aged’ face competing pressures on finances, time and accommodation, and aren’t making plans for their later life.
• The ‘struggling and alone’ have often experienced health problems throughout their lives and as a consequence are worse off financially and social isolated.

You can read more about the groups here. Ageing Better will use the insights from this work in a number of ways.

Firstly, along with input from many stakeholders and a wider review of the evidence, the research has helped us to shape our priorities for the next five years. We want people to be able to say that they feel prepared for later life, that they are active and feel connected to others, and that they feel in control. Read more about our priorities.

Secondly, as we start our work within these priority areas to synthesise and strengthen the evidence for what works and to seed and scale promising innovations, we will use the research to ensure that we focus on those most at risk of missing out on a good later life as well as learning from those who are already enjoying a much better experience.

Thirdly, we will use the research to ensure we stay focused on ‘people’ in the work we do; focusing our work in ways that make sense to people, not in narrow silos organised along sector or service boundaries.

And lastly, as we interrogate the available evidence for what works, we will make sure that we understand for whom any particular intervention works (or doesn’t work). This will not always be easy. Too often, reports and evaluations of projects working with older people talk proudly about the benefits to the participants but remain relatively silent on who those participants are – i.e. who they have managed to reach and who they have not. If we are to improve later life for everyone then good evidence must not only include an understanding of what works for those who are already motivated, active and connected, but also for those who are struggling and alone.