Health Assessment
Every four years, after carrying out the face-to-face interview and the self-completion questionnaire, participants are invited to attend our health centre at Trinity College Dublin for a health assessment. The assessment is arranged at a time and date that suits the participant and is carried out by qualified healthcare professional. The whole assessment takes between 2 and 3 hours. Health assessment for Wave 6 of TILDA are currently ongoing.
During the health assessment some of the measurements taken include:
- Height, weight and waist circumference
- Blood pressure, lying and standing
- Walking speed and tests of balance
- Eyesight and hearing
- Bone and muscle strength
- Assessment of memory and thinking
In addition, we collect blood samples if the participants agreed. Participants were not required to fast for the health assessment.
If participants did not wish to travel to the TILDA Assessment Centre based in Trinity College Dublin, we can offer a shorter assessment in their own home, also carried out by a qualified nurse.
By taking part in the health assessment, participants are helping in a research study aimed at improving the health of future generations. At the end of the visit, we provide a report of the results of some of the measurements undertaken to each participant - including blood pressure, weight and height, vision and a heel ultrasound. Also, if participants agree to a blood sample, we send them their cholesterol results in the post.