Improving wellbeing is increasingly recognised as an important objective for public policy. Over the last three years researchers from the University of Brighton and Age UK Brighton & Hove have been working with older people to explore what wellbeing means to them, and how it is generated. Professor Marian Barnes, professor of social policy, and research fellow Dr Lizzie Ward, both from the School of Applied Social Science carried out the work in partnership with Dr Beatrice Gahagan, senior manager at Age UK and a team of older peer researchers from the Age UK volunteer base.
Thirty older people aged between 67 and 97 took part in interviews designed to enable older people to talk in their own terms about what wellbeing means to them, and how this is produced. The interviews explored common themes such as money; where people lived; their health and relationships with others. A further 59 people took part in focus groups and staff and volunteers working for Age UK Brighton & Hove were interviewed to explore their views on what wellbeing means to older people. The interviews and focus groups were carried out by the older peer researchers
The research found that, whilst many older people were enjoying their lives, some said they found it hard to sustain a sense of wellbeing, either because of the loss of friends and family, health issues or loss of identity and structure that they enjoyed when working. Some found it hard to adjust to personal changes and to changes in the world around them.
Professor Barnes said: "Our research demonstrated not only the challenges that older people face to sustain their wellbeing, and the hard emotional and organisational labour that goes in to this, but also the resources that they draw on to 'be well' in old age and the different adaptations people face at different stages which may span a period of 30 years or more."
The research also highlights the importance of different types of relationships to older people's wellbeing. The quality of relationships not only with family and friends, and with health and social care providers, but encounters with GP receptionists, people at the bus stop or at checkout counters in shops, can make a difference to how people feel about themselves, because they indicate how others feel about them. For those who are either/both giving and receiving care because of illness, disability or mental health difficulties, the quality of caring relationships is especially significant.
Practical things make a difference and the research confirms other work that suggests wellbeing is not straightforwardly associated with having lots of money. But feeling secure in having enough, and being able to deal with unexpected expenses is important. And those who are financially comfortable do have more choices when it comes to deciding things like where to move to if looking after a big house becomes too difficult, or getting about is problematic because of restricted mobility.
The research findings will contribute to developing local knowledge and understanding of older people's needs and be used by Age UK, and local authority service providers in thinking about how to meet older people's needs and support their wellbeing. Read more about this on the older people, wellbeing and participation project webpages.
There will be an event on 3 April 2012 at the Brighthelm Centre where the research report and a booklet for older people written by the peer researchers will be launched. If you would like more information about the research or the launch please contact Lizzie Ward at Brighton University 01273 643903 or email E.Ward@brighton.ac.uk. Both the research report and the booklet are available from the older people, wellbeing and participation project webpages or contact Lizzie for a copy of the report.
