Objectives: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently developed a generic Quality of Life (QOL) measure, the WHOQOL‐OLD, specifically for use with older adults. This pilot study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the new measure to determine its suitability for evaluating outcomes of healthy ageing interventions. Methods: A random sample of 100 participants aged 65 years and older, selected from a database of community research volunteers, was invited to complete a mailed questionnaire administered at two time points. The questionnaire included the WHOQOL‐OLD, a generic health‐related QOL measure, the SF‐12, as well as psychological and physical well‐being measures and demographic data. Results and conclusion: Overall, the WHOQOL‐OLD demonstrated good performance on tests of reliability and validity and had features that made it a more suitable outcome measure of QOL in older people compared with the frequently used measure, the SF‐12.