grey matters is an evolving conversation, moderated by Boomer + beyond, that gives a voice to older people across the UK.
Through honest, thought-provoking discussion, it breaks down stereotypes, shatters assumptions, and reveals the vibrant, diverse realities of ageing.
It’s time to hear the truths that matter most.
Smart, safe and seen: designing tech older adults actually want
Building on our first post, this follow-up explores how to design smart home systems that older adults actively choose to use and the six principles that separate the smart from the simply complicated.
What do older adults really think about smart home tech?
They’re not resistant, they’re discerning.
This post unpacks the real appetite for smart home features among affluent over-70s and explores what they value, what they avoid, and why support matters more than voice control.
Being in the right place: how where we live shapes how we feel
This final post in our six-part wellbeing series explores the powerful role of place in later life.
From comfort and community to accessibility and identity, it looks at what makes a place feel right, and how the built environment can support every other pillar of wellbeing.
Having a sense of purpose: staying relevant, motivated and fulfilled
Purpose doesn’t retire.
From volunteering and learning to mentoring and caring, this post explores how purpose shapes identity and wellbeing in later life, and why having something to contribute can be just as vital as staying healthy or connected.
Keeping healthy and active: the key to thriving in later life
This is the fourth in our new series exploring what really matters when it comes to living well in later life.
Healthy and active living goes far beyond exercise. For people in their 70s, 80s, and beyond, it’s about feeling capable, staying engaged, and living life on their own terms. This post explores what “healthy and active” really means and how communities, services, and design can support it.
Staying connected: the heart of community and belonging
Connection isn’t just about avoiding loneliness, it’s the lifeline that keeps us engaged, active and feeling like we belong.
From family ties to community groups, this post explores why connection matters so much in later life, and how it shapes the quality of our days.
Security: what it really means to feel safe in later life
This is the second in our six-part series exploring what really matters for later-life wellbeing.
We look beyond locks and alarms to uncover how financial stability, neighbourhood trust, and access to help shape a sense of safety - and why it matters so much for living well.
Independence: the foundation of wellbeing in later life
This is the first in our new series exploring what really matters when it comes to living well in later life. We start with independence - the freedom to choose, act and live life on your own terms.
For many over-70s, it’s not just important. It’s everything.