In December, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) welcomed its first group of participants for a pilot study at the Data Collection Site (DCS) at McMaster University. The purpose of the pilot was to assess and validate the instruments and procedures at the site.

During Data Collection Site visits, participants take part in a variety of assessments that examine their physical, emotional and social health functioning, as well as the onset of health conditions and diseases. These tests help CLSA investigators to understand the factors that influence healthy aging.

In addition to Data Collection Site visits, the CLSA  is completing in-home interviews with participants. In spring 2011, CLSA investigators launched a pilot study of the in-person interviews in Montreal and Hamilton. A total of 86 participants took part. 

Together, the in-home interview and DCS pilots have served to fine-tune testing procedures and evaluate CLSA questionnaires.

McGill University will begin its own DCS pilot study in January 2012. It will be conducted with French-speaking participants at the Data Collection Site located at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a large, national, long-term study that will follow approximately 50,000 Canadian men and women between the ages of 45 and 85 for at least 20 years. The study will collect information on the changing biological, medical, psychological, social, and economic aspects of people’s lives.