Chapters Three and Four described and analysed practical strategies and cognitive ways of coping used by older people as they endeavour to manage changes and difficulties in their daily lives. This has conveyed a largely individualist view of ageing, with a predominant emphasis on personal strengths and coping styles. At the same time, particular beliefs and attitudes, which underpin coping efforts, are themselves heavily influenced by social and cultural constructions, as expressed, for example, in beliefs relating to individual responsibility and self-sufficiency. This chapter moves beyond the level of individual perspectives and behaviour to examine the resources and threats that respectively support or undermine older people's practical strategies (the ‘keeping going’ theme) and cognitive ways of coping (the ‘staying me’ theme). These are discussed at three levels: personal, social and community. Personal threats and resources considered include: health, finances, life experiences and perspectives. Social threats and resources are discussed in relation to the direct and indirect role played by social networks and dynamics within relationships. Community threats and resources are considered in terms of features of formal services that support or undermine coping and opportunities and obstacles within the wider community.

Although the previous chapters highlighted the predominance of ‘strengths’ talk within participants’ accounts – for example, the focus on keeping busy and the underplaying of difficulties – there was nevertheless a clear sense of present and perceived future threat contained in their accounts. ‘The ‘slippery slope’ conveys participants’ perceptions of their tenuous hold on ‘coping’ and the implied threat of a time when they would no longer be able to manage. This chapter examines some of the factors that seemed to support or undermine their efforts to retain their hold on ‘the ‘slippery slope’ of later life.

Personal threats and resources

Health and abilities

A key factor for participants, when giving an account of the nature and level of difficulties they experienced and their strategies for addressing them, was the state of their health. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that good health and the ability to carry out everyday tasks and routines are strongly associated with reported well-being and quality of life.