Health and Ageing Research Team study pathways to wellbeing

The growing number of older people in society reflects gains in public health and should be a source of pride for our community. However, not all groups have benefited equally from increases in healthy lifespan. To understand the pathways to healthy ageing, a study led by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Health and Ageing Research Team (HART) will explore early and mid-life predictors of frailty. The results from this study will be used to develop policies and practices that improve wellbeing for all. Improving healthy lifespan not only has benefits for older people, but also for their families and communities.

HART’s 2024 Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) survey will be sent out this month. The survey focuses on understanding the social and environmental factors that predict trajectories of wellbeing in later life.

The 2024 survey builds on 18 years of work by the HART team. The team’s longitudinal study of older people (over 55 years) began in 2006 and, to date, more than 14,000 people have contributed data on ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study has examined health and access to healthcare, employment, retirement, the built environment, caregiving, COVID-19 and housing. It has provided valuable insights into the lives of older people as they age in Aotearoa and contributed to the development of government policies to improve the lives of older New Zealanders.

The 2024 survey will be sent to 6,626 participants who have contributed to the study before. An additional 8,570 people will also be invited to complete the survey. These new recruits have been identified through the electoral roll. Adding new people to the study is essential to ensure the study continues to represent those aged over-55 year as the original study participants age.

Principal Investigator and HART lead Professor Fiona Alpass ONZM says the focus of most research on ageing has been on how to respond when people are already frail.

“We provide care and support either through the community, unpaid family care, hospitalisation or aged residential care. We would prefer to support people to age in place in the community and age with good health. To achieve this, we need to focus on earlier life predictors to prevent frailty later.”

Dr Brendan Stevenson, who is also a Principal Investigator for this study, says he is looking forward to better understanding trajectories of healthy ageing for older Māori.

“We know that older Māori have very different outcomes in later life, which reflects poorer access to resources across the lifespan. Using this study, we can understand these differences and propose solutions to improve outcomes for future cohorts of older Māori.”

HART comprises researchers from seven institutions across Aotearoa who have expertise in ageing research, statistical modelling and data science. Researchers from Māori, Pacific and Chinese communities lead key components of the study, ensuring that the benefits of a long and healthy life are available for all members of our community.

The HART team acknowledge the generosity of the participants of the HWR longitudinal study who have contributed to the study for nearly two decades. Their commitment has created a powerful tool for understanding predictors of healthy ageing and possible solutions to improve health and wellbeing for all older people.

HART has received funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for 2023-2028 to continue this work.