Trinity EngAGE – TILDA

Introduction

The Irish LongituDinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) is a large-scale, nationally representative, longitudinal study on ageing in Ireland, the overarching aim of which is to make Ireland the best place in the world to grow old. TILDA collects information on all aspects of health, economic and social circumstances from people aged 50 and over in a series of data collection waves once every two years. Over 8,000 people were recruited in the first data collection wave which commenced in 2009, and a further four waves are planned over a ten year timeline. TILDA is unique amongst longitudinal studies in the breadth of physical, mental health and cognitive measures collected. This data, together with the extensive social and economic data, makes TILDA one of the most comprehensive research studies of its kind both in Europe and internationally

TILDA provides the infrastructure for Trinity EngAGE, a multi-disciplinary Centre, with national and international collaborations across each of the four research themes, Mind, Body, Social Environment and Built Environment. Trinity EngAGE is a member of the EIP AHA A2 Falls Prevention specific action group through activities of TRIL and TILDA and has applied to become a member of Action Groups A1, Adherence, and A3 Prevention of frailty.

The aims of TILDA are to determine:

• the health status and health needs of older people

• the social and economic status and needs of older people

• the health, economic and social needs of families and carers of older people

• the biological and environmental components of “successful ageing”

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• the contributions that older people are making to society and the economy

• how health, wealth, and happiness interact so that we can ensure Ireland meets the needs and choices of its citizens in a personalised and positive environment with due dignity and respect

Future Plans TILDA has completed the two waves of its data collection, and is currently in planning phase for Wave 3 to launch in 2014. Wave 1 commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011. Over 8,504 people aged 50 and over were recruited and interviewed about many aspects of their lives including issues such as health, financial circumstances, and quality of life and the majority underwent a comprehensive health assessment. Wave 2 data collection was completed in 2012 and consisted of follow-up interviews and home measurements of grip strength and walking speed. Wave 1 data is publically available and can be accessed through our website www.tilda.ie. Data from Wave 2 will be publically available by mid 2013.

Analysis of these rich datasets has lead to numerous collaborative research projects and has grown TILDA team over 10 fold since inception to a team of 33 researchers and staff. Details of publications, research papers and our TILDA Working Groups can be found on our website www.tilda.ie.

TILDA being carried out by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with an inter-disciplinary panel of scientific researchers, with expertise in various fields of ageing, from the following institutions:

• Dundalk Institute of Technology • Economic and Social Research Institute • National University of Ireland, Galway • Queen’s University Belfast • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland • University College Cork • University College Dublin • Waterford Institute of Technology

COLLAGE is Ireland’s joint candidate Reference Site for the European Innovation Project on Active and Healthy Ageing.

Contact Details: Prof Rose Anne Kenny : rkenny@tcd.ie

Dr Ann Hever : hevera@tcd.ie