News
June 2013
ESRI Publishes TILDA Research Findings on Return Migrants in the Older Population
TILDA researchers Professor Alan Barrett and Dr. Irene Mosca authored a recently published ESRI research bulletin, drawing on TILDA data to examine the causes and consequences of migration in the Irish population aged 50 and over. A high proportion of TILDA respondents are return migrants, many of whom would have emigrated in the 1950s and 1980s, and the bulletin explores such questions as why people left, whether emigrants experienced higher levels of psychological stress over their lives and whether return migrants are now more socially isolated than those who never left Ireland.
Professor Barrett has published an article summarising some of the findings in The Irish Independent (available here) and the bulletin has also been discussed in The Irish Times (article available here) and thejournal.ie (article available here).
May 2013
New Ageing Research from Ireland Featured in Special Edition of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
TILDA is pleased to announce the release of a special supplement featuring TILDA research in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The purpose of the supplement is to introduce TILDA to health researchers across the world. In partnership with the world’s largest ageing studies such as the Health and Retirement Survey in the United States and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, TILDA aims to reinforce previous research findings while exploring novel areas in health and sociological conditions particular to Ireland. Examples include objective health measures that utilise new health technologies and financial circumstances collected at the time of the economic crisis.
TILDA is the first longitudinal aging study ever undertaken in Ireland and is investigating the health, economic and sociological aspects of over 8,000 participants aged 50 and over. Unique measures introduced in TILDA’s health assessment include eye retina exams, walking mat technology (gait), and a comprehensive memory evaluation.
TILDA in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, May 2013, features an introduction to TILDA highlighting the importance of TILDA for future government policy in Ireland and ageing research across the world and a series of articles showcasing our research.
Special Edition Contents
- An Introduction to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Rose A. Kenny
- Design and Methodology of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Brendan J. Whelan and George M. Savva
- Health and Aging: Development of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing Health Assessment. Hilary Cronin, Clare O'Regan, Ciaran Finucane, Patricia Kearney and Rose Anne Kenny
- Normative Values of Cognitive and Physical Function in Older Adults: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Rose Anne Kenny, Robert F. Coen, John Frewen, Orna A. Donoghue, Hilary Cronin and George M. Savva
- Cognitive and Physical Health of the Older Populations of England, the United States, and Ireland: International Comparability of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. George M. Savva, Siobhan C. Maty, Annalisa Setti and Joanne Feeney
- Quality of Life in Older Age: Evidence from an Irish Cohort Study. Richard Layte, Eithne Sexton and George Savva
April 2013
TILDA Researcher Wins Scientific Award at Recent British Geriatrics Society Conference
Mr. Eoin Duggan, a medical student based at TILDA, recently won the prestigious Fergus Anderson Prize at the Spring British Geriatrics Society conference in Belfast. His research investigated the relationship between vision and gait in older adults as part of a wider program of TILDA research examining the biopsychosocial risk factors associated with falls in the elderly.
This work was funded by a recent HRB Summer Student Scholarship and conducted under the supervision of TILDA researchers Dr. Ciarán Finucane (Medical Physics and Bioengineering), Dr. Hilary Cronin (Geriatric Medicine), Dr. Orna Donoghue (Biomechanics) and TILDA Principal Investigator, Professor Rose Anne Kenny.
Mr. Eoin Duggan, Medical Student Researcher at TILDA, with his award-winning poster
The research was conducted using data from the first wave of TILDA and the findings indicate that poor contrast sensitivity but not visual acuity is related to poor gait performance in older adults. These findings are significant clinically and may contribute to a new awareness about the importance of vision, particularly contrast sensitivity, in the field of geriatric medicine. This is particularly relevant in conditions like falls, which are related to gait disturbances. International falls risk guidelines already include an assessment of vision as part of a comprehensive clinical assessment. These findings suggest that contrast sensitivity is a more important marker than visual acuity, which is normally used in clinical assessments of older adults. Ongoing research in TILDA aims to determine the importance of this and other parameters as part of a global falls risk assessment program, with a view to reducing the prevalence of falls, which occur annually in one in three adults aged over 65.
Commenting on the results, Professor Rose Anne Kenny said: “This research highlights the importance of comprehensive assessments when assessing complex health issues common in older adults, such as falls. Poor contrast sensitivity potentially puts the ageing population at risk of serious falls as it limits their gait patterns. Comprehensive testing and treatment strategies targeting vision may in the future help us better enable the independence of older adults”.
TILDA researchers awarded CARDI funding
TILDA researchers Dr. Eibhlin Hudson and Dr. Irene Mosca with Professor David Madden (UCD) were awarded funding by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) to examine health inequalities in health behaviours. Dr. Matthew O' Connell and Dr. Bellinda King-Kallimanis were also awarded funding by CARDI to carry out research focussing on frailty disability.
National Positive Ageing Strategy launched by Minister Lynch
The Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch, launched the National Positive Ageing Strategy on the 24th of April. Analysis of data from the TILDA study features throughout the document and further use of the data by government departments in making policy decisions is listed as an area of action in the plan.
March 2013
Publication of TILDA Report on Patterns and Determinants of Health Care Utilisation in Ireland
TILDA in the News 2012
TILDA research featured regularly in news reports on ageing in Ireland during 2012. A collection of press articles and clippings is available here.
December 2012
Publication of TILDA Report on Multiple Medication Use in Ireland's Over-50s
Researchers at The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin have published a new report on multiple medication use in adults aged over 50 in Ireland, examining rates of polypharmacy and opportunities for cost savings and improved healthcare.
November 2012
Publication of TILDA Report on Supplementary Pensions and the Income of Ireland’s Retirees
October 2012
Irish Times Highlights TILDA Research on Health Factors in Ageing
A report on issues discussed at a public meeting on reversing ageing organised by the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, at which TILDA Principal Investigator, Professor Rose Anne Kenny, gave a talk. A copy of the article is available here.
Rose Anne Kenny Interviewed on Newstalk's The Right Hook
TILDA Principal Investigator, Professor Rose Anne Kenny, was interviewed by George Hook on Newstalk's The Right Hook. The interview took place at Google's EU Headquarters in Dublin at a special event to celebrate the Google Silver Surfer 2012 Award with Age Action. To listen to the interview click here.
September 2012
Forbes Profiles Chuck Feeney
An article discussing the philanthropic actvities of Chuck Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies, featured on Forbes recently. The Atlantic Philanthropies are one of TILDA's main funders. A copy of the article can be found here.
Rose Anne Kenny Speaks at Dublin City of Science 2012 Festival
TILDA Principal Investigator, Rose Anne Kenny, gave a talk at DublinTalks.ie "6 speakers, 6 minutes, 6 big ideas" as part of the Dublin City of Science 2012 Festival. A link to her talk can be found here.
July 2012:
Guest Lecture by Walter Bortz
Professor Walter Bortz (pictured above with TILDA Principal Investigator Professor Rose Anne Kenny) gave a public lecture at Trinity College Dublin entitled "The Plasticity of Human Aging". The lecture took place in the historic Schroedinger Lecture Theatre in front of a capacity audience. A video of the lecture can be found here.
Walter M. Bortz II, M.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and a graduate of Williams College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Recognized as one of America’s most distinguished scientific experts on aging and longevity Dr. Walter Bortz's research has focused on the importance of physical exercise in the promotion of robust aging. Dr. Bortz has published over 130 medical articles and authored numerous books, including We Live Too Short and Die Too Long, Dare to Be 100, and Living Longer for Dummies, and Diabetes Danger. Dr. Bortz is past co-chairman of the American Medical Association’s Task Force on Aging, former President of The American Geriatric Society and is currently Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, as well as a Senior Advisor to Healthy Silicon Valley, a community collaborative effort which addresses the soaring incidence of obesity and diabetes.
June 2012:
New €1 Million HRB Grant Awards for TILDA
Researchers at TILDA will study the role of autonomic function in the development of cardiovascular disease in adults thereby creating new biomarkers and opportunities for intervention. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in western cultures and a significant cause of major disabilities such as stroke and dementia. The new HRB Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement (ICE) award for €590K over 3 years will enable applied health research and implementation science to rapidly translate policy relevant findings from the cardiovascular domain into policy and practice. Insights gained from the study may open new avenues of cardiovascular risk assessment and treatment. The research will be lead by Prof. Rose Anne Kenny (TCD/TILDA) with collaboration from Dr. Emer Shelley (HSE), Prof. Tom Fahey (RCSI), Prof. Charles Normand (TCD), Prof. Ciarán O’Neill (NUIG) and Prof. Alan Barrett (TCD/TILDA).
A further population health sciences award for €300K over 3 years was made to study type 2 diabetes and its relation to cardiovascular function, cognitive function, mental health and socioeconomic factors. The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications are immense and disproportionately affect the older population and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Depression and anxiety often occur together and are more common in people with diabetes. By 2030 diabetes will have increased by 135% in the over 65 years and older worldwide. The Principal Investigator, Prof. Rose Anne Kenny said that “The study will advance the science of population health by using biological and demographic data from TILDA to address several limitations in the current knowledge of diabetes and cardiovascular brain health in Ireland.” Co-applicants are Dr. George Savva (TCD/TILDA), Prof. Brian Lawlor (TCD/SJH), Prof. Joe Barry (TCD), Dr. Jean O’Connell (SVUH) and Dr. Siobhan Maty (TCD/TILDA).
May 2012
TILDA Presentation to Seanad Eireann
TILDA's Principal Investigator, Rose Anne Kenny, recently gave a presentation to a Seanad Consultation Committee. Rose Anne and Alan Barrett, Project Director of TILDA, then took questions from the Senators. The report of the committee on the Rights of Older People can be found here (PDF).
TILDA Highlights the Contribution of Older Volunteers
TILDA featured in a recent article in The Irish Times which discussed volunteering by older people in Ireland. A link to the article can be found here.
December 2011
Professor Rose Anne Kenny Discusses Longevity in the Irish Times
Professor Rose Anne Kenny discusses the lifestyle factors which affect longevity. A copy of the article can be found here.
May 2011
Irish Times Editorial on TILDA
The Irish Times ran an editorial highlighting the importance of TILDA. A copy can be found here.
Dr. James Reilly, T.D., Minister for Health, Launches TILDA First Results
On Monday, 9th of May 2011, Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health, officially launched the first results from TILDA.
Pictured above with Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA at the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin where a series of presentations were given by TILDA researchers outlining the main findings of the first results. A copy of the first results report can be found here.