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.
Are the voices speaking for older people in
our community representative?
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.
• 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
Thinker A, Quality in Ageing, Vol 9, issue 4, Dec 2008
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.
What can NILDA learn from
industry!!
A Brave New World ?