NICOLA: The Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Aims
As the first large scale longitudinal study of ageing in Northern Ireland, NICOLA aims to help gain a better understanding of the factors that affect social and health outcomes in the older Northern Ireland population. Over time, it will inform new prevention strategies, new interventions, new models of health and social care delivery, and ultimately contribute to how society should change to ensure a better quality of life for all.

Institution
Queen's University Belfast

Geographic coverage - Nations
Northern Ireland

Geographic coverage - Regions
Nationwide

Start date
2014

Catalogue record last updated
12/04/2024

Sample type
Ageing cohort

Sample details
NICOLA recruited a random sample of 8,309 people aged 50 years and over who were living in their own homes in Northern Ireland. Spouses or partners of participants, who shared their residency, were also invited to participate, to provide household information on family and finances.

Householders received an introductory letter, followed by contact from fieldworkers who obtained the name and informed consent from eligible participants. Individuals who were institutionalised or who lacked the capacity to provide informed consent were excluded from participating in the NICOLA study. Spouses or partners of eligible participants who wished to take part in the study did not have to have been born on or before September 30th 1962, but had to be living at the same address as the selected age-eligible participant. A total of 195 who were aged less than 50 chose to participate, resulting in a total of 8,504 participants in NICOLA Wave 1.

Sample size at recruitment
8,504

Sample size at most recent sweep
6,152 (2019 - Wave 2)

Sex
All

Age at recruitment
50 years +

Cohort year of birth
1962 or earlier