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 Europe’s ageing population

April 24th 2008

Overview

• Background– Ageing– Ageing in Ireland

• TILDA– Study Design– Data Collection– Domains

• International Comparability– HRS– ELSA– SHARE

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

GenesGenes

NutritionNutrition

Family Networks

Family Networks

Social Participation

Social Participation

EducationEducation

Household Structure

Household Structure

Marital Status

Marital Status

Work and Retirement

Work and Retirement

Income and

assets

Income and

assets

Mental health

Mental health

HealthHealth

Experience Experience of of

AgeingAgeing

Experience Experience of of

AgeingAgeing

Factors Affecting the Experience of Ageing

Age Pyramid for World Population

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

0- 4

10-14

20-24

30-34

40-44

50-54

60-64

70-74

80+

Age (

years

)

Population (millions)

2050

2025

2000

Age Pyramid for Irish Population

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

0- 4

10-14

20-24

30-34

40-44

50-54

60-64

70-74

80-84

90-94

100+

Age (

year

s)

Population (thousands)

2050

2025

2000

Source: US census bureau International database

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

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

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

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

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?

Study Design

• Longitudinal Cohort Study

• Nationally representative sample

• Approximately 10,000

• Aged >50 years

• Minimum follow-up 10 years

• Collaboration from institutions across Ireland

Data Collection

• TILDA will combine a number of data collection strategies– Face-to-face Interviews– Clinical Assessments

• Nurse visit/Bus/Clinical centre

– Data Linkage

TILDA

• Health

• Social

• Economic

Health Measures in TILDA

Physical Health Cognition Psychological Behavioural Health 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

Economic Measures in TILDA

Work, pensions and retirement

Income and wealth

Healthcare costs and utilisation

Housing

Social Measures in TILDA

• Social Networks/Supports

• Loneliness

• Stressful Life Events

• Quality of Relationships

• Social Engagement

International Collaborations

TILDA’s 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)

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