The six pillars of wellbeing in later life
We talk a lot about wellbeing. But when it comes to people in their 70s and 80s, the conversation is often shaped by limitation; less mobility, less independence, fewer opportunities. At Boomer + beyond, we’ve been working to shift that narrative.
Wellbeing in later life isn't about “making do” with less. It’s about living with intention, autonomy and value. We recently conducted a focused wellbeing study with a clearly defined cohort; 250 people aged 70 to 89, all homeowners in England with no mortgage. This was part of a wider quantitative research programme designed to understand what most influences later-life wellbeing. Their responses offer a detailed and statistically grounded view of what drives happiness, security and fulfilment in this life stage.
One of the most surprising findings? Wellbeing actually appears to increase with age.
Wellbeing improves with age (yes, really)
Data from our study mirrors a broader national picture. In Office for National Statistics (ONS) data from 2022, just 21% of adults aged 35–44 reported being “very satisfied with life.” That figure rises to 32% among the over-70s in our own study - and climbs even higher with each passing decade. Among those aged 85+, 70% said they were very satisfied with life.
So what’s driving that?
What we found is that later-life wellbeing isn’t anchored to one factor—it’s supported by six. These six pillars were consistent across age groups, health conditions and personal circumstances. While individual experiences vary, the core drivers of wellbeing remain remarkably stable.
In this opening post, we introduce those six pillars. Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore each one in more depth - what it really means, how it shows up in everyday life, and how services, brands and communities can respond more thoughtfully to support them.
The six pillars of wellbeing
1. Maintaining independence
Independence came through as the single most important contributor to wellbeing. The ability to make decisions, manage routines, and maintain autonomy underpins everything else.
92% of people said that having autonomy made a positive difference to their wellbeing
85% stated not feeling like a burden was just as important
We’ll explore this further in an upcoming post, including what independence means when mobility or health starts to shift.
2. Feeling secure
Security runs deeper than finances. People want to feel safe in their homes, confident in their surroundings, and assured that help is nearby if needed.
96% said having a safe and secure home was key to their wellbeing
83% pointed to financial stability
67% to access to local healthcare
Next month, we’ll dig into how emotional and physical security work hand in hand and what that means for later-life housing, infrastructure and policy.
3. Staying connected
From spontaneous chats with neighbours to shared meals, community events and time with family, connection came through loud and clear as a major factor.
74% said proximity to green space mattered
56% prioritised family time
39% highlighted UK travel as an enabler of connection
We’ll look at how connection can be designed in, not just assumed, in a future post.
4. Keeping healthy and active
Activity supports both physical and emotional wellbeing. Gardening, walking, dancing, and structured exercise were all cited as important contributors.
71% said good health improved their wellbeing
62% said hobbies were vital
48% appreciated access to leisure facilities
We’ll look at what it really means to stay active post-70, and how inclusive design can help.
5. Having a sense of purpose
Purpose doesn’t retire. Many people in their 70s and 80s want to keep contributing—through work, volunteering, mentoring or learning.
65% said giving back mattered
63% wanted to keep learning
42% said they still worked by choice
We’ll explore this in depth in an upcoming post: how purpose supports cognitive health, motivation and social relevance.
6. Being in the right place
Where we live shapes how we live. Place was about more than geography, it was about comfort, access, practicality and peace of mind.
81% said they lived in a great location
52% valued green space nearby
48% appreciated a low-maintenance home
We'll explore how place can enable independence and satisfaction when thoughtfully designed.
Looking ahead
These six pillars don’t just describe what people want - they offer a framework for how to support quality of life in meaningful, lasting ways.
At Boomer + beyond, we’re launching a short series that explores each one in turn. From independence and security to purpose and place, we’ll dig deeper into what older adults are really asking for, and how those shaping the future can respond.
First up? Independence. Stay tuned.
source: Boomer + beyond_What's driving wellness_quantitative study