1. Enjoy a good later life – why does where we live matter?
People powered change – a festive of ideas, 11th March 2016
Anna Dixon, Chief Executive

2. Who are we?
The Centre for Ageing Better is an independent charitable foundation working to help everybody enjoy a good later life
We will develop, share and apply evidence to help people age better
We will bring fresh thinking to the challenges and opportunities that everyone faces as more people live longer
We will bring about change to improve later lives
Started after Lord Filkin completed his report “Ready for Ageing” – realised we were not
Won £50m from Big Lottery Fund to set up a What works centre
Speak about vision / mission / principles and types of work

5. Thomas Kitwood’s philosophy
Source: Dementia Care at Home, Helping Hands home care

6. What did we do?
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

7. What do people say is important to a good later life?
Health
Financial security
Social connections
These are interrelated
Expectations are modest
Personal outlook matters
The research identified three key dimensions of a good later life - health, financial security and social connections. These were consistent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or other socio-demographic characteristics.
E.G. FROM THE SURVEY – THREE QUARTERS MENTIONED GOOD HEALTH AS BEING IMP FOR LATER LIFE INCLUDING OVER HALF (53) WHO SAID IT WAS THE MOST IMP.ORTANT THING
These dimensions are interrelated and all influence each other. They also have an impact on the extent to which people feel happy, satisfied with their lives and that their life has meaning and they are in control.
People have modest expectations. Most want their health to be good enough to enable them to maintain relationships and activities they value. Similarly with money, people want enough for the essentials, to afford to participate socially and culturally and to have a buffer to afford the unexpected.
Personal outlook is important to how people experience later life. It is possible to enjoy a happy and fulfilled later life with some health and money problems. Likewise, it is possible to feel dissatisfied with later life despite having good health, a lack of money worries and good social networks.
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

8. Introducing the segments
Thriving boomers 3,976,010
Downbeat boomers 3,982,447
Can-do and connected 3,600,510
Worried and disconnected 2,512,632
Squeezed middle aged 2,581,295
Struggling and alone 2,304,498
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

9. Housing tenure by segment
Source: Cluster analysis of English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Wave 6 ( )

10. Thriving Boomers 29% 77% 64% 89% 73% 91% 74% 92%
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

11. Simon’s story
Simon's home and his surroundings are familiar to him and he feels part of the local community. This comfort and familiarity is something that he values. Indeed, he finds it strange that so many people decide to move home when they are getting older or retiring.
Simon’s home is well kept and furnished with pictures of his family and artwork from his frequent trips back to Africa – reminders of the things that are important to him. ​ ​
His home and his surroundings are familiar to him and he feels part of the local community. This comfort and familiarity is something that he values. Indeed, he finds it strange that so many people decide to move home when they are getting older or retiring. For him this is already a time of transition and getting used to a new pattern of life, so adding a move on top of this is something he believes would be very stressful.​

12. 21% of those aged 50+ are Downbeat Boomers.
Demographically similar to the Thriving Boomers, despite the advantages they have their overall levels of happiness are average. The tend to reflect on things they could have done differently or missed opportunities.
Presentation title

13. Downbeat Boomers 29% 10% 64% 76% 73% 93% 74% 91%
The working title for this segment was grumpy old men.
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

14. Downbeat Boomers
“I’d say life is getting worse as I get older because there is a lot that I haven’t done that I would have liked to”.
Presentation title

15. Kate’s story
For Kate, the most important requirement for her home is that it facilitates her social life. Kate values being part of a community and gets on well with her neighbours.
Kate is open to the possibility of downsizing as she gets older, so long as the location fits her requirements and she still has space to host her friends.
For Kate, the most important requirement for her home is that it facilitates her social life. In this sense the location is far more important than the house itself. Kate values being part of a community and gets on well with her neighbours. She also likes being near to sources of entertainment and places where she can meet up with her friends, for instance cinemas, coffee houses and the gym.
Kate is open to the possibility of downsizing as she gets older, so long as the location fits her requirements and she still has space to host her friends.

16. 19% of those aged 50+ are Can do and connected.
This segment are usually in their 70s or 80s and often widowed. Their health can be poor and they lack disposable income but they have higher than average levels of happiness. Thanks to their strong social connections they can rely on others for support, and feel fortunate for what they have.

17. Can do and connected 29% 44% 64% 66% 73% 65% 74%
The working title for this segment was tough old birds
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

18. Can do and connected
“My best friend, she’s always there, I can lean on her with my troubles”.

19. Mary’s story
One of the things Mary most appreciates about where she lives is the transport links. This not only helps her stay in regular contact with her friends but it also helps keep her active by providing her with ready access to the things she enjoys doing like going to museums and the cinema.

20. Mary’s story
Mary also greatly enjoys her garden; when she moved to this house one of the first things she did was to create a space that was hers and where she could sit, relax, think and mark the passing of the seasons. Many of the plants in the garden are those she brought with her from her previous home – she likes this connection with her old life. She likes gardening as a hobby – it’s something she spends a lot of time on, and gets a great deal of satisfaction from.

21. Worried and disconnected
13% of those aged 50+ are Worried and disconnected.
Typically aged 70+ and retired, while financially stable they sometimes have poor health. They are more likely to be socially isolated often due to bereavement or losing social connections they enjoyed through work. They are apprehensive about later life and have below average levels of happiness.

22. Worried and disconnected
29% 4%
64%
44%
73%
81%
74%
58%
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

23. James’s story
James lives in a small bungalow which he rents. With no stairs to contend with, he considers it a suitable house to grow old in. The few friends he has are in the area too, so he doesn’t want to move away from them.
He doesn’t feel there is much community spirit where he lives though – he doesn’t think that people look out for each other.
James lives in a small bungalow which he rents. It’s in a quiet area, but he still drives and this means he has access to everything he needs.
He’s keen to stay in his home for the rest of his life – and thinks that this will be possible; with no stairs to contend with, he considers it a suitable house to grow old in. The few friends he has are in the area too, so he doesn’t want to move away from them.
He doesn’t feel there is much community spirit where he lives though – he doesn’t think that people look out for each other.

24. 14% of those aged 50+ are the Squeezed Middle Aged.
Predominantly in their 50s, in good health and in work. Squeezed for time, money and in their homes. With caring responsibilities for their children and their parents they have less time for their own social connections or for preparing for later life – retirement seems like a long way off.
This is the group of most concern to them - worry that if they don’t change now, then heading for a poor retirement

25. Squeezed Middle Aged 29% 11% 64% 55% 73% 53% 74% 84%
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

26. Rachel’s story
Feeling secure in her home is important to Rachel as she sees home as the “still point in a busy life.”
She has no plans to move at the moment – and doesn’t intend to think about this for some time. They have a very large mortgage with high repayments.
Feeling secure in her home is important to Rachel as she sees home as the “still point in a busy life.” Rachel has lived in the same area all her life, and is happy with the pleasant community and attractive surroundings there.
She has no plans to move at the moment – and doesn’t intend to think about this for some time. In part this is because they have a very large mortgage with high repayments. Because of this, she doesn’t think that they would be able to afford to live elsewhere in what she considers to be a very expensive area until they have paid off or substantially reduced the amount outstanding.

27. 12% of those aged 50+ are the Struggling and Alone.
Distributed across all ages, they have long standing health conditions which affect their ability to work and build social connections. More likely to be living alone, they have fewer people they can rely on and are more likely to experience financial insecurity. They have the lowest levels of happiness of all groups.
This segment includes a mixture of homeowners and renters. They are more likely than other segments to experience problems with their housing, and less likely to have at least eight amenities that they can easily access.

28. Struggling and alone 29% 5% 64% 26% 73% 38% 74% 31%
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over

29. Trevor’s story
Trevor lives in a home which he owns with his ex-partner. His ex-partner currently pays the mortgage.
He loves his house which is important to him because he spends most of his time there.
Trevor’s garden is also important to him as he likes to spend time growing vegetables and herbs which he then uses in the kitchen.
Trevor lives in a home which he owns with his ex-partner. His ex-partner currently pays the mortgage.
He loves his house which is important to him because he spends most of his time there. It also has enough space to host people for dinner or a weekend. Although this is not something Trevor can do at the moment, he hopes that this may be a possibility in the future.
Trevor’s garden is also important to him as he likes to spend time here growing vegetables and herbs which he then uses in the kitchen.

30. Trevor’s story
“This year I’ve applied for 20 jobs and this was my first interview. I was heartbroken to find out I didn’t get the job”.

31. Housing issues by segment
Source: Cluster analysis of English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Wave 6 ( )

32. Attitude to moving to a different property in the future
Downsizing does appear to coincide with retirement age.
For those that do intend to move:
Reason being to move closer to family/friends increases with age: (9%) average (13%) 75+ (33%)
Reason being to move to a smaller more affordable property: average (5%) (10%)
Source: Ipsos MORI survey of 1,389 people aged 50 and over. Later life in 2015 Centre for Ageing Better

33. Too many people risk missing out on a good later life
For example:
Some people in middle age are finding themselves unable to save and plan for the future
Some people in retirement are missing the social aspects of working and feel they lack purpose in their lives
Some have been forced to stop working earlier than others due to poor health, and have become financially insecure and lonely

34. I feel prepared for later life
We want people to say:
I feel prepared for later life
I feel confident to manage major life changes
I have a plan for my finances, my home, my care needs, and what happens when I or my partner dies
I have the skills I need

35. I am active and connected
We want people to say:
 I am active and connected
I am in work and/or am making a valued contribution
I have regular social contact with other people and some close relationships
I keep physically and mentally healthy and active

36. I live in a home and a neighbourhood suited to me
We want people to say:
 I feel in control
I live in a home and a neighbourhood suited to me
I have care, support and services that help me live my life

37. Thank you
Anna Dixon
@DrAnnaDixon