The relationship between independence, inclusion and well-being: the perspective of older citizens living in Coventry, U.K.

Independence, inclusion and wellbeing are commonly seen in a complementary relationship in
policy and research literature. This paper examines the meaning of these terms for older citizens
living in Coventry and the implications for policy implementation. The data presented, obtained
from a large community survey of citizens of 55 years and over living in Coventry, found that
although most survey participants were able to function independently, participate in ordinary
community life and enjoyed reasonable physical and mental health, many others experienced a
series of significant barriers to inclusion and wellbeing.
The paper concludes that there is no automatic convergence between independence, inclusion
and wellbeing at the level of the individual citizen and that to address this issue, more socially
inclusive rather than individualistic forms of independence may be more appropriate goals for
local public agencies