Academics at Trinity College Dublin are seeking a new group of people aged between 50 and 62 to contribute to the next phase of their research into the ageing process.
The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) group at the university is seeking to replenish its study group as the 8,500 participants that started with the project in 2009 have aged along with the study, making it necessary to recruit a new, nationally representative group.
Information collected by Tilda will be used to identify policies on ageing relating to health and wellbeing, healthcare needs, caregiving and retirement nationally and internationally.
Researchers use a random selection process to ensure the study cohort is representative of the population overall. They revisit participants every two years collecting the same information.
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Professor Rose Anne Kenny, principal investigator at Tilda, said the ageing population was “one of the greatest demographic and social transformations” facing the country.
The proportion of people aged 60 and over will increase globally from almost 12 per cent today to 21 per cent, equating to about two billion people worldwide.
“By providing high quality data, we can drive informed decision making at all levels and propel ageing research in Ireland into a position of global leadership and ensure lower levels of disability and better, data-driven health and social care services,” said Professor Kenny.
