Financial dimensions of well-being in older age blog
Alcohol expenditure across the life-course
Posted on 30 January 2014
Using data from the UK’s 2011 Living Costs and Food Survey, David Hayes at PFRC has begun to look at how expenditure on alcohol varies across the life-course. This analysis is run on 2,931 households headed by a person aged 50 and above. The data is weighted to be nationally representative. Continue reading→
Should we forget about 'the older consumer'?
Posted on 26 November 2013
As part of the ILC-UK and Personal Finance Resource Centre (PFRC) partnership project on financial circumstances and wellbeing, funded by ESRC through the Secondary Data Analysis Initiative, a seminar hosted by Brown-Forman in October 2013 to discuss findings around consumer spending. At this seminar, David Hayes from the PFRC presented new research exploring patterns of expenditure among older people. This research was then debated by an expert roundtable, along with broader questions surrounding the ‘older consumer’. Continue reading→
An international comparison of financial satisfaction among the over-50s
Posted on 30 October 2013
Using a major international dataset – the World Values Survey – this blog presents preliminary findings about levels of self-reported financial satisfaction. Analysing data from 56 countries over six continents, these findings throw new light on levels of financial satisfaction within and between countries. We plan further detailed analysis that will be of use to both international practitioners and policy-makers alike. Continue reading→
Understanding society's oldest old
Posted on 25 July 2013
Dubbed the ‘fourth generation’ in a recent AGE UK report (2013) [1], the oldest old (85+) are the fastest growing sector of the UK population. Using new data from UK’s largest ever social survey – Understanding Society – this blog presents preliminary findings about the ‘oldest old’ and their levels of participation, well-being and health. These findings will be relevant to both practitioners and policy-makers alike. Continue reading→
A first-hand account of analysing second-hand qualitative data
Posted on 24 May 2013
The collaboration between the International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) and the Personal Finance Research Centre (funded by the ESRC) uses secondary data analysis to look at financial dimensions of well-being in older age. As well as analysing large-scale survey datasets, we are undertaking analysis of two qualitative datasets to explore the role that finances play in older people’s quality of life. This blog describes some of the methodological issues we have encountered in conducting secondary analysis of qualitative data collected by others. Continue reading→
Older people stay connected... and stay at home
Posted on 7 May 2013
Unsurprisingly, household expenditure in all areas decreases with age. However, our current research shows the proportion of total expenditure devoted to communication remains constant as people get older. The proportion of household expenditure devoted to housing payments (excluding mortgage interest) and utility bills more than doubles from ten per cent among 50-55 year olds, to 21 per cent among those aged 80 and above. Continue reading→