The qualitative research was conducted in order to illuminate older people’s quality of life from the perspective of older people themselves. The aim was to paint a picture of the lives of older people and to gain insight into how older people in the region have been affected by the massive societal changes of the last 15 years and how they are coping with the impacts of these changes. The project involves a mixed method design, combining quantitative analysis of the living standards of older people of recently available household survey data, with qualitative research providing deep insight into the reality of life for older people today. Obtaining greater insight into how the lives of older people have been affected by the socio-economic transformations of the last 15 years, and relative role of the state and family in both providing support to and benefiting from the contribution of, older people will aid the formulation of poverty alleviation programmes. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova were chosen as countries for qualitative research as these three countries are the poorest of the former Soviet states. In each country, data collection sites were selected to represent different geographical and social conditions. Data collection commenced in each country with the capital city. Data were also collected in a smaller town and a rural location as it was seen as important to investigate any differences in older people’s experiences which might be related to the places in which they live. With consideration for the above criteria, sites were then selected according to safety and accessibility issues and the availability of local contacts.This project examines the living conditions and sources of finance and social support (both state and family) amongst older people living in the seven poorest countries of the former Soviet Union. The break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent transition to market-led economies has been accompanied by a decade of economic and social upheaval on an unprecedented scale. Older people face particular challenges. Having lived their entire working lives under a paternal and relatively generous welfare system, they now find themselves in later life facing a new world – politically, economically, socially, psychologically and physically.

The quality and length of the transcripts is variable. Generally speaking, the transcripts from Moldova are of higher quality than those from Kyrgyzstan which in turn are better than those from Tajikistan. The difference in quality reflects the educational attainment and work experience of researchers in these states. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and focus groups. Participants were identified by local key informants and then by snowballing from multiple starting points. The entities being studied were individuals: older people(defined as at or beyond retirement age). Approximately 270 people took part in focus groups and 71 people were interviewed.