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PURPOSE: To explore age-trajectories of quality of life (QoL) and influences on them in a 4-year period among older adults living in England.

METHODS: Data come from three waves (2002-2003 and 2006-2007) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a large panel study of 11,392 individuals aged 50 and over. We used Latent Growth Curve models and ageing-vector graphs to describe both individual differences and average population age-trajectories in QoL (measured by the CASP19 questionnaire).

RESULTS: QoL at baseline was poorer for older than younger respondents, with the differences widening with age. QoL also declined more rapidly for older individuals. Gender, education, depression, limiting long-standing illness, difficulty with ADL-s, lack of wealth, non-employment, decreased number of friends and low positive support had a negative impact on QoL. Living with a partner had a positive effect on the QoL of men but not of women. The ageing-vector graphs revealed a clear gradient in age-trajectories of QoL for those in the best to the worst psychosocial, socioeconomic and health conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Younger old adults can be prepared for further ageing by increasing their network of friends and engaging with the wider community while they are able.