1. TILDA – The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing Patricia M Kearney Trinity College Dublin patricia.kearney@tcd.ie EU Commission Seminar Series – How should we plan for Europes ageing population April 24 th 2008

2. Overview Background –Ageing –Ageing in Ireland TILDA –Study Design –Data Collection –Domains International Comparability –HRS –ELSA –SHARE

3. Background & Need for Research One of the greatest success stories of modern times is the increasing number of people living into old age However this triumph of humanity is also one of our greatest challenges

4. ExperienceofAgeing GenesNutrition Family Networks Social Participation Education Household Structure Marital Status Work and Retirement Income and assets Mental health Health Factors Affecting the Experience of Ageing

6. Source: US census bureau International database

7. Ageing Ageing on this scale is an unprecedented phenomenon in human history Ageing is pervasive and global as it affects everyone, both the young and the old Significant consequences for society Predicted that of the female children born today in the richest countries, over 50 % will survive to the age of 100 and beyond

8. Ageing in Ireland Proportion of population 65 has remained steady at about 11% for the past 40 years It is projected that this proportion will rise to 20-25% by 2036 (CSO 2006) The greatest increase will be in the oldest old

9. TILDA First longitudinal study of ageing conducted in Ireland Cross-institutional consortium of partners with a prior track-record in age-related research Wide range of research groups from many disciplines involved in TILDA emphasizing the interest from all quarters for strategic ageing research

10. TILDA Overall aim is to examine ageing as a dynamic process Our health measures will emphasise successful ageing rather than focusing on disease and disability The longitudinal design will allow us - capture health transitions/trajectories - capture profiles of aging - identify modifiable factors for interventions - provide a platform for future research

11. Key Multi-disciplinary Questions What changes occur in physical, psychological and cognitive function over time and across ages? What are the physical, social and economic factors that condition these changes? What are the adaptive responses to change and how do these contribute to successful ageing?

12. Study Design Longitudinal Cohort Study Nationally representative sample Approximately 10,000 Aged >50 years Minimum follow-up 10 years Collaboration from institutions across Ireland

13. Data Collection TILDA will combine a number of data collection strategies –Face-to-face Interviews –Clinical Assessments Nurse visit/Bus/Clinical centre –Data Linkage

14. TILDA Health Social Economic

15. Health Measures in TILDA Physical HealthCognitionPsychologicalBehaviouralHealth care Self reported Measures of physical performance Objective measures of physical health Functional ability Memory Executive function Basic skills Depression Anxiety & Worry QOL Well being Life satisfaction Physical Activity Alcohol Smoking Sleep Quality of healthcare Access to healthcare Healthcare Utilisation

16. Economic Measures in TILDA Work, pensions and retirement Income and wealth Healthcare costs and utilisation Housing

17. Social Measures in TILDA Social Networks/Supports Loneliness Stressful Life Events Quality of Relationships Social Engagement

18. International Collaborations TILDAs study design has evolved from and is in collaboration with other leading longitudinal studies The Health & Retirement Study (HRS) US The English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) The Survey of Health & Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

19. TILDA – role in planning for our ageing population TILDA Evidence based research on ageing in Ireland Policy implications for health and social services International Comparative Analysis