National Elf Service discussion of an article. The aim of this study was to provide insights into what older people think about living independently (defined as in their own home). The authors wanted to hear directly from them, of their experiences. In doing so a secondary aim was to help healthcare professionals to support ageing in place and to potentially reduce ‘adverse psychological consequences’ for those older people who do have to move to residential care. It is this later aim that makes this Elf summary potentially relevant to social care,