SWEOLD - Swedish panel study of living conditions of the oldest old 2002

SND-ID: ext0010-2.

Is part of collection at SND: NEAR - National E-Infrastructure for Aging Research in Sweden

Creator/Principal investigator(s)

Carin Lennartsson - Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Aging Research Center (ARC)

Johan Fritzell - Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Aging Research Center (ARC)

Olle Lundberg - Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Aging Research Center (ARC)

Mats Thorslund - Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Aging Research Center (ARC)

Research principal

Stockholm University - Aging Research Center (ARC) rorId

Description

SWEOLD is a nationally representative survey of the older population in Sweden. The sample consists of individuals previously included in the selection of Swedish Level of Living Survey (LNU), who have passed the LNU age ceiling of 75 years. The first survey was carried out in 1992. Further waves were conducted in 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2014. In 2004 and 2014, the survey included people who were aged 70 and older. A new survey wave will begin in 2021.

SWEOLD data is linked to the LNU, that has been conducted regularly since 1968. This longitudinal database thus provides the opportunity to follow individuals over a 50-year period. In addition to the panel sample, SWEOLD also comprises an additional representative sample of older women and men. As each wave of LNU and SWEOLD is nationally representative, the data can also be used for cross-sectional analyses.

The questionnaire covers a wide variety of areas of concern to elderly people, such as mobility and activities of daily living (ADL and IADL), as well as health, housing, economy, family, political resources and leisure activities. Various

... Show more..
SWEOLD is a nationally representative survey of the older population in Sweden. The sample consists of individuals previously included in the selection of Swedish Level of Living Survey (LNU), who have passed the LNU age ceiling of 75 years. The first survey was carried out in 1992. Further waves were conducted in 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2014. In 2004 and 2014, the survey included people who were aged 70 and older. A new survey wave will begin in 2021.

SWEOLD data is linked to the LNU, that has been conducted regularly since 1968. This longitudinal database thus provides the opportunity to follow individuals over a 50-year period. In addition to the panel sample, SWEOLD also comprises an additional representative sample of older women and men. As each wave of LNU and SWEOLD is nationally representative, the data can also be used for cross-sectional analyses.

The questionnaire covers a wide variety of areas of concern to elderly people, such as mobility and activities of daily living (ADL and IADL), as well as health, housing, economy, family, political resources and leisure activities. Various tests are included to measure the physical and cognitive ability of these individuals. Indirect interviews are used when a respondent is unable to participate in the interview directly due to physical or cognitive disabilities. Next of kin or professional caregivers are used as proxies.

The second SWEOLD study was carried out in 2002. The sample consisted of persons born in 1925 and earlier, who had been in the sample of any of the previous Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU). The sample consisted of 736 persons and the response rate was 84.4% (n=621). Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 87% of the respondents, and 13% were proxy interviews with a close relative or care staff. Show less..

Data contains personal data

Yes

Sensitive personal data

Yes

Type of personal data

Pseudonymised data

Code key exists

Yes

Language

Method and outcome

Unit of analysis

Population

The Swedish population aged 75 and older

Study design

Cohort study: Prospective

Cohort study

Observational study

Sampling procedure

Probability
The sample has varied slightly between the survey years. The sample for each year is specified below.

1992: Those who previously had been interviewed at least once in the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), and were aged 77 and older.
2002: Those who had been included in the sample of any of the previous LNU studies, and were aged 76 and older.
2004: Those who had been included in the sample of any of the previous LNU studies, and were aged 69 and older.
2011: Those who had been included in the sample of any of the previous LNU studies, and were aged 76 and older. There was also an additional representative sample of people who were 85–99 years old.
2014: Those who had been included in the sample of any of the previous LNU studies, and were aged 70 and older. The survivors from the additional sample drawn in 2011 were also included in the 2014 survey.

Time period(s) investigated

1992 – Ongoing

Response rate/participation rate

84.4%

Data format / data structure

Data collection
  • Mode of collection: Face-to-face interview
  • Time period(s) for data collection: 2002-08-30 – 2003-03-31
  • Source of the data: Registers/Records/Accounts: Administrative, Registers/Records/Accounts: Medical/Clinical, Population group, Registers/Records/Accounts
Geographic coverage

Geographic spread

Geographic location: Sweden

Administrative information

Responsible department/unit

Aging Research Center (ARC)

Funding 1

  • Funding agency: Swedish Council for Social Research
  • Funding agency's reference number: 91-0150

Funding 2

  • Funding agency: Swedish Medical Research Council
  • Funding agency's reference number: B92-27Ä-09997-01

Funding 3

  • Funding agency: Swedish Council for Planning and Coordination of Research
  • Funding agency's reference number: 910245:6-5/86

Funding 4

  • Funding agency: Swedish Research Council
  • Funding agency's reference number: 2001-6651

Funding 5

  • Funding agency: Swedish Research Council
  • Funding agency's reference number: 2009-6183

Ethics Review

Swedish Ethical Review Authority - Ref. 2019-06324; 2020-04118

Publications

Lennartsson C, Agahi N, Hols Salén L, Kelfve S, Kåreholt I, Lundberg O, Parker, M.G., & Thorslund, M. 2014. Data Resource Profile: The Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD). International Journal of Epidemiology, 43(3), 731-738, DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyu057.
Read full text
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyu057

Link to publication list:

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