Blogs

Dementia is a disease of the brain that affects cognition and everyday function. It is a major health concern leading to loss of independence and a reduced quality of life and health. It is reported to be one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. In the UK, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect 1 in 14 individuals aged 65 and above and 1 in every 6 people over 80. With no current cure, it’s hardly surprising then that a recent YouGov poll found that almost two-third of us are worried about developing dementia.  Dr Sarah Assaad and Dr Shabina Hayat explain why we need to tackle this terrible condition and how the Healthy Cognitive Ageing Project (HCAP), a sub-study of ELSA, is helping to do just that.  

As in much of the world, England in the 21st century will experience significant social change as a result of population ageing. This will have major and wide-reaching impacts on individual lives, family dynamics, and the demand for public services. This is where the rich data on later life that ELSA provides plays a key role, as Dr Brian Beach from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL explains.

As the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, or ELSA as it’s known, prepares to launch its tenth wave of data later in 2023, Project Manager, Kate Coughlin, reflects on how and why the Study is a crucial resource.