Cognitive Function and Ageing Study Wales (CFAS Wales)

Aims
The Cognitive Function and Ageing Study Wales (CFAS Wales) is a longitudinal study looking at health and cognitive function in older people living in Wales. The study builds on the design and infrastructure of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study collaboration (CFAS) exploring biomarkers and other early indications of risk of cognitive decline, such as imaging. It also investigates factors that may delay the onset of dementia, specifically focussing on the role of bilingualism and social networks and allow a more in-depth examination of rural-urban variations, which have been markedly unexplained in previous studies.

Institution
Bangor University; Swansea University; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge

Geographic coverage - Nations
Wales

Geographic coverage - Regions
Gwynedd; Ynys Mon; Swansea

Start date
2011

Catalogue record last updated
30/04/2025

Sample type
Cohort study

Sample details
A population based sample from each site, born before 1944 were drawn from general practice records, with 50% of the individuals being from each of the age groups 65-74 and 75 years and over. Individuals ascertained from GP records received a letter from the GP followed by personal approach by interviewers.

Sample size at recruitment
3,593

Sample size at most recent sweep
1,498 (2015 - Wave 2)

Sex
All

Age at recruitment
65 years +

Cohort year of birth
Before 1944

Website
cfaswales.bangor.ac.uk

Related themes
Covid-19 data collection, Biomarkers, Cognitive measures, Cognitive decline, Diet and nutrition, Socioeconomic status and deprivation, Language and literacy, Loneliness and social isolation, Physical health assessment, Work and employment, Sleep problems, Social care - receipt, Social care - provision, Social care - need