Summary of Findings The visits undertaken, and the questionnaires returned, reveal consistent findings about the benefits of later life learning activities to older people in care settings. There was almost universal acceptance that engagement in learning and similar activities enhances quality of life, lessens dependency and improves well being. However, the study also revealed that 4th Age learning provision is inconsistent. Examples of best practice and strategic thinking contrasted sharply with an overall lack of meaningful activity and variable quality amongst the activities which do exist. There are many agencies with responsibility for providing care and/or activity. The study demonstrated that this plethora of agencies makes it difficult to develop a coherent picture of collaborative working, standardised training and consistency of qualifications.

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