The aim of the interview is to explore the living standards of older people. We are interested in knowing both about people’s current situation and their ideals and aspirations in aspects such as living situations, housing, material goods, transport, and socialising. We will be focussing on experiences, and descriptions of the living standards of older people in the context of their everyday lives and choices. Consequently, the participants will be encouraged to expand, to give examples, and to tell stories in response to each of these blocks of questions. If people focus on telling stories about particular aspects they do not need to be asked about every question. The questions are to be used as prompts by the interviewers and it will depend on how the interviewee responds as to how the questions are asked.
Topics will include:
z Can you tell me about the area you live in?
o What do you like about living in this community? Why did you choose this area? What things are easy and convenient?
o What things are harder to access? How could it be improved? o Do you own your house, or rent?
o Are you satisfied with your house? Is it suitable for your needs? Is it warm? In good repair?
What sort of house would you like? Are you able to decorate your house how you would like? Do you have insurance?
o Are you sharing accommodation? Do you prefer to share?
o Do you own your house, or rent? What is your preference and why? z What things do you need to have?
o What food and drink do you need to have each week?
o What personal items could you not do without? Clothing? Shoes? Toiletries? Medications?
138
o What household things do you need to have?
o Would you be able to replace your refrigerator if it broke down? o Do you think your house is well heated? Would you prefer more
warmth in winter? Can you use all the hot water you want? o Do you keep pets?
Do you find some of their expenses difficult to meet? Would you like a pet? Why don’t you keep one?
z What things do you need to do?
o What social events do you need to go to? Going out with friends or family? Attending church services? Hosting a meal? Social clubs? o What about formal occasions? E.g. weddings, Christenings, funerals?
What about gift giving? Tithing?
o Is it important to be able to help out friends and family (e.g. with food, gifts or money)?
o Can you go to the Doctor when you want to? Are you able to fill all your prescriptions?
o Are there any other services or utilities you could not do without? o What transport do you need? What about visiting friends or family? o What hobbies or interests do you have? What are the costs of these
hobbies or interests?
z How well do you manage on your current income? Do you have to take care with spending?
o Do you have to do without some of these things or activities sometimes? Which things? How often do you have to go without them?
o If you had to choose between your essential activities and household needs, how would you choose?
o What sort of things or what activities would it really upset you to have to go without? Why would you find that hard?
o What sort of things would you change if you had more money per week to spend? (E.g. an extra $50 per week).
o Can you describe your ideal life style?
o What sort of things would change if you had less to spend?
o What is the first change you would make? How would you economise? o What activities would change? What would you do differently then?
139
z What things are nice to have or do, but not necessities for you? o Are there any things you would like, but don’t have? Are there any
things you would like to do but aren’t able to afford to? What sort of things? (E.g. spending, activities, hobbies, housing, giving, saving, treats)?
o Why don’t you have or do them? Do you think you will you ever be able to have or do them?
z How does the way you live compare to other people you know of? o Can you tell me about differences in living standards that you have
noticed?
o Can you think of someone else you would like to live like? What do they have or do that you can’t?
o What sort of things do others have or do that you don’t? o What sort of things do you have or do that others can’t? o What are the important things that people need to be happy? o How happy are you with your overall living standard?