MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC CFAS)

NO ONGOING DATA COLLECTION: MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC CFAS). The original CFAS ran 1989–2011 and is now closed.

Measures describe a question asked to a participant during a survey or an item of information requested from a manager when they fill out a data return. For example, ‘Who do you live with?’ is a measure and the possible responses might be, mother, father, brother, sister etc.

Question/Data item wording	Response scale wording	Need OR provision OR receipt	Description of measure	Start Year	Age of interest	Age from	Age to	Informant	Multiple rater	Reporting term	Sweep title	Standard instrument	Dataset
Establish a degree of mobility of subject	1. Usually ambulant non house bound 2. Usually ambulant house bound 3. Chairfast permanently 4. Bedfast permanently 7. Unable to establish mobility	Need;	ADL-(all)	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to get on a bus? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to go up and down stairs? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- transferring	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to do the light housework? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL - light housework	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to do the heavy housework? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL - heavy housework	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to shop and carry heavy bags (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL- shopping	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to reach an overhead shelf (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to tie a good knot in a piece of string (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to put on your shoes and socks or stockings? (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- dressing	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Do you have difficulty with household tasks such as making yourself a cup of tea?	0. No 1. Yes 2. Impossible 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Have you needed any help recently to check your change after spending small amounts of money?	0. No 1. Yes 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL- managing finances	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to get to or use the toilet? (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-toileting	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Does anyone help you with any of the day to day tasks I’ve just asked about?	0. No 1. Yes 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Provision;	Who helps	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Who usually helps?	A No-one B Spouse C Daughter D Daughter-in-law E Son F Son-in-law G Brother H Sister I Other relative J Friend or Neighbour K Home help L Care worker M Meals on wheels N Community worker O Community nurse P Warden Q Paid help R Other (specify) S Not applicable	Provision;	Who helps	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Do they help every day, most days or less often?	0. Every day 1. Most days 2. Less often 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Provision;	Day to day activities	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Does anyone else help?	A No-one B Spouse C Daughter D Daughter-in-law E Son F Son-in-law G Brother H Sister I Other relative J Friend or Neighbour K Home help L Care worker M Meals on wheels N Community worker O Community nurse P Warden Q Paid help R Other (specify) S Not applicable	Provision;	Who else helps	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
I would like to know if you are able, or if you have any difficulty with the following activities: Are you able to cut your own toenails? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty cutting your own toenails?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- grooming	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to wash all over or bathe? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty washing all over or bathing?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-bathing	2000	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to tie a good knot in a piece of string (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
I would like to know if you are able, or if you have any difficulty with the following activities: Are you able to cut your own toenails? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty cutting your own toenails?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- grooming	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to wash all over or bathe? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty washing all over or bathing?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-bathing	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to get on a bus? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to go up and down stairs? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- transferring	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to do the heavy housework? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL - heavy housework	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to shop and carry heavy bags (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL- shopping	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to prepare and cook a hot meal? (IF YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL- meal preparation	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to reach an overhead shelf (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-moving	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Establish type of accommodation	1. House/Flat 2. Granny Flat 3. Warden Controlled Flat 4. Council Residential Home 5. Private Residential Home 6. Private/Charity Nursing Home 7. Long Stay Hospital 8. Not established	Receipt;	Accommodation	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to put on your shoes and socks or stockings? (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. (No), needs help 1. (Yes), some difficulty 2. (Yes), no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL- dressing	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to get to or use the toilet? (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	ADL-toileting	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Are you able to do the light housework? (If YES: Do you have difficulty?)	0. Needs help 1. Yes, some difficulty 2. Yes, no difficulty 7. Don’t know 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Need;	IADL - light housework	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Does anyone help you with any of the day to day tasks I’ve just asked about?	0. No 1. Yes 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Provision;	Who helps	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Who usually helps?	A No-one B Spouse C Daughter D Daughter-in-law E Son F Son-in-law G Brother H Sister I Other relative J Friend or Neighbour K Home help L Care worker M Meals on wheels N Community worker O Community nurse P Warden Q Paid help R Other (specify) S Not applicable	Provision;	Who helps	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Do they help every day, most days or less often?	0. Every day 1. Most days 2. Less often 8. No answer 9. Not asked	Provision;	Day to day activities	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Establish a degree of mobility	1. Usually ambulant non house bound 2. Usually ambulant house bound 3. Chairfast permanently 4. Bedfast permanently 7. Unable to establish mobility	Need;	ADL-(all)	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Prevalence Screen Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC
Needs help with money	0. No 1. Yes	Need;	IADL- managing finances	1999	65-84	65	84	Participant	No	Current	MRC- Assessment Questionnaire	No	CFAS_MRC

England

Aims

MRC CFAS began in the late 1980s with the initial aim of investigating dementia and cognitive decline in a representative sample of more than 18,000 people aged over 65 years. The study primarily aimed to find out how common dementia and associated conditions are in England and Wales and also, how many new cases of dementia develop each year. The range of information collected in the interviews has also allowed the study to also investigate depression and physical disability in the older population in addition to looking at healthy active life expectancy. MRC CFAS ran from 1989 – 2011. Having provided estimations of dementia occurrence for the UK, CFAS was increasingly asked to provide evidence on generational change in dementia, cognition and life expectancy by the government and the public, leading to its daughter studies, CFAS II & CFAS Wales.

Institution

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge

Geographic coverage - Nations

Cambridge; East Cambridgeshire; Fenland; Huntingdonshire; Liverpool; Newcastle upon Tyne; Nottingham; Oxford; South Cambridgeshire; Wales;

Start date

1989

Minimum age at recruitment

Sample Size

905

Sample

Study design

Cohort study

Sample details

Random samples of people in their 65th year and above were obtained from Family Health Service Authority lists from each centre. The sample was stratified by age group (65-74 years and 75 years and over) and equal numbers were randomly selected from each age group to produce an overall sample size of approximately 2500 people in each of the areas.

Sex

All

Sample Characteristics

Older adults cohort

Sample size at most recent sweep

905 (Assessment interview)

Individual data available (e.g. upon special request)?

Yes

Data Access Level

Fully open source

Data Access

Data request

http://www.cfas.ac.uk/cfas-i/data/#cfasi-data-request

Regional variable present?

Yes

Local Authority variable present?

No

Complementary Data

Genetic/genomic data

Genetic Data Collected

Yes

Linked Data

HDR UK Innovation Gateway

Website

cfas.ac.uk

Notes

Related Measures

Biomarkers, Cognitive decline, Cognitive measures, Covid-19 data collection, Diet and nutrition, Language and literacy, Loneliness and social isolation, Physical health assessment, Sleep problems, Socioeconomic status and deprivation, Work and employment,

Study Code

CFAS_MRC

Reference paper(s)

Brayne, C, McCracken, C & Matthews, FE (2006) Cohort Profile: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS), International Journal of Epidemiology, 35, 1140-1145.

doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyl199

Funders

MRC DoHSC

Catalogue of Social Care Data

UNITING SOCIAL CARE DATA