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The voice of older people in longitudinal studies
UKCRC centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI)
Dr Michael Quinn
Why understanding ageing is important
• By 2031, one in three of us will be over 60 years.– The fastest growing population are >80years.– 1.3 million people in the UK are now >85
• Life expectancy increasing but the trajectory of healthy life expectancy is different, with worse morbidity among the poor and isolated elderly.
• The contribution of older people to society and economic activity will be increasingly important.
How representative are older people in public consultations?
• The voice of ‘older people’ in lobbying groups and public agencies may not reflect the diversity of the older population!
• Qualitative research has demonstrated that ‘self selection’ occurs amongst those involved in forums related to developing services for older people*.
*Barnes, M. The same old process? Older people, participation and deliberation.Ageing & Society 25, 2005, 245-259
How do we hear the many voices of our ageing population?
• Longitudinal studies offer insight into the impact of ageing both on individuals and on the society in which they live.
• Studies must be representative of their population.
• We must listen for those who find it hardest to be heard!
The Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NILDA).
• An opportunity to hear the voices of older people in our community and to learn from their experiences.
• Shed light on the causes of causes with dividend of smarter policies.
• A lasting legacy of research infra-structure i.e. • The Framingham Study• The Rotterdam Study • The Whitehall Studies
• Longitudinal studies are the ONLY WAY to separate causes and effects and understand dynamic relationships.
• To produce intellectual capital and policy relevant knowledge.
Why do people drop-out of longitudinal studies?
• The older people are the more likely they are to drop out.
• Lower socio-economic status.
• Cognitively impaired.• Educational status.• Childless.• Still at work.• Less socially active.
Thinker A, Quality in Ageing, Vol 9, issue 4, Dec 2008
• Reasons for drop-out:• Too time consuming -
contact is too frequent • Questionnaires - difficult,
intrusive, humiliating• Medical Exams - tiring,
dislike of blood samples and cognitive tests
Methods used by other studies to reduce drop-out!
• Information: newsletters, personal response to queries, meetings, results feedback, study website
• Incentives: Primarily medical investigation.• Fringe benefits: fridge magnets, pens, money, calendars• Contact: newsletters, information meetings, birthday cards,
reminder telephone calls, media coverage.• Efforts to reduce attrition: homes visits, transport to
medicals, tracing lost participants, completing questionnaires online and a study website.
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