Frequently asked questions

What is the study about?

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) is about the lives of people in England who are aged 50 and over (and about their partners, who can be of any age). The study covers a broad range of topics such as people's health, economic situation and quality of life. It is helping us learn about how people's experiences vary and how their circumstances change over time. We hope to visit the members of the study every two years.

The study is collecting data which can help us explore many questions, such as:

• How does people’s health and level of disability change over time?
• What factors explain who has good health in later life and who does not?
• When do people retire and how do they plan for their retirement?
• Do people have enough savings to provide for their older age?
• How do people’s activities, relationships and quality of life change over time?
• How do changes in memory and concentration affect people’s well-being?

ELSA is modelled on a similar study in the USA (the Health and Retirement Study). A parallel study, the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is being carried out in continental Europe. Similar studies in many other countries around the world, including India and China, have also been developed, so ELSA is part of an international effort to understand ageing and what it means for people. As a result, we are now able to compare experiences across countries and understand how national policies and contexts affect people’s lives.

• survey leaflet (pdf)
  

What is the study about? | Why have I been selected? | Why have I been asked to do the interview on behalf of someone else? | Is the survey confidential? | Who is carrying out the study? | Why is the study important? | What questions will I be asked? | Who is paying for the study? | Who can I contact about the study?

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