NEWS

Research underway at The University of Auckland is attracting attention after initial findings were recently released. ‘Life and Living in Advanced Age: a Cohort Study in New Zealand; Te Puwaitanga o Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu’ (LILAC study)  aims to better understand the biological, social, health, mobility, and quality of life changes for both Māori and non-Māori in their eighties and older. The study involves just under 1000 participants in the Bay of Plenty region.

Taking into account the growing ageing population, the study will determine whether the common instruments currently used for health and clinical assessments are appropriate and reliable in predicting and planning for future health, economic, and social services for those of advanced years.

The results gathered so far reveal that 44.3 per cent of participants are male, over a third are still married or partnered, 44.5 per cent live alone, and only 3.3 per cent are in residential care. Almost a third are involved in voluntary work and 5.1 per cent are still employed. Almost all are taking prescribed medication, and 60 per cent are still driving.

The research team, led by Professor Ngaire Kerse and Dr Lorna Dyall, is looking for sponsorship for their study. They claim there is currently little information available in New Zealand for appropriate planning for people in advanced age. Time is also of the essence.

“Our participants cannot wait for HRC or government funding as at least 10 per cent die each year,” says Dyall.