Up to 6,000 people to take tests in ageing study

BLOOD samples are to be taken from up to 6,000 elderly people from this September as part of the country’s biggest study of ageing.

The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA) has sought tender applications to carry out the blood collection and analysis as part of the first phase of the study, which is being spearheaded by academics in Trinity College Dublin.

The blood samples will be analysed at two TILDA health assessment centres – in Dublin city centre and Cork city centre – or in respondents’ homes.

It is planned that blood collection for the main study will begin this September and will last between nine and 12 months, and will prove integral to the overall study, which will extend across 10 years.

In the main study, interviews will be conducted on a two-yearly basis with people aged 50 and over, with the aim of collecting information on all aspects of their lives, from their pensions and living standards to health aspects, contact with family and friends and social participation.

Following the social interview, respondents will participate in a health assessment, ideally in one of the two health assessment centres, or in their homes.

Based on a TILDA pilot project, it is expected there will be about 4,000 respondents who will participate in a centre-based health assessment and between 1,600 and 2,000 other people who will participate in a home-based assessment.

* www.tilda.tcd.ie