Table 1.

Summary of best practice recommendations for including older people in research.

SEM Factor	Recommendation
1. Individual factors	1a. Studies should not have upper age limits in inclusion criteria
	1b. Studies should be designed to be inclusive of those with cognitive impairment
	1c. Studies should not have comorbidity exclusions (except where there is an intervention contraindication)
	1d. Use of clear explanations of why research is relevant to older people’s health and wellbeing
2. Interpersonal factors	2a. Advocates and peers should be involved in designing research that meets the needs of older people
	2b. Health and social care professionals with expertise in ageing should be involved in designing research that meets the needs of older people
	2c. Communication about research should be tailored to the needs of older people
	2d. All older people who meet the eligibility criteria should be offered the opportunity to participate in research
	2e. Consider the involvement of carers or family members and the impact involvement can have on them and the older person
3. Organisational factors	3a. Those commissioning, funding and approving research should ensure the inclusion of older people and intersectional factors, such as demographics and health status, have been considered
	3b. Those commissioning, funding and approving research should include older people and those with expertise in ageing
4. Community factors	4a. Researchers should consider different and flexible approaches to promote accessibility of the research e.g. financial support to attend research centres or offering home visits for data collection
	4b. Support, or alternatives should be offered to digital data collection and interventions
5. Policy factors	5a. Policymakers should consider the impact of policies on health inequalities in research participation