ABOUT THE SIGNS STUDY
Singapore is an ageing society. Its population of older adults, aged 60 years and older, will continue to increase in the coming decades. The Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore has funded the Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) at Duke-NUS Medical School to conduct THE SIGNS Study, a nationally-representative, longitudinal study (i.e., survey and follow-up the same set of individuals over time) of older Singaporeans. THE SIGNS Study is collecting comprehensive data on the health and wellbeing of older Singaporeans and the change in these over time.
Information collected in THE SIGNS Study includes indicators of physical and mental health and wellbeing, social engagement and participation, employment, intergenerational relationships, quality of life, and the impact of COVID-19. These national data contribute to the formulation, development, and refinement of policies and the planning of services for older adults in Singapore.
Till date, CARE has completed two waves of data collection in THE SIGNS Study. The first wave (THE SIGNS Study – I) was conducted in 2016-2017, and the second wave (THE SIGNS Study – II) was conducted in 2019. Data collection was conducted face-to-face at the residence of the participants. A total of 4549 older adults participated in THE SIGNS Study – I, and 2887 of these individuals also participated in THE SIGNS Study – II.
Now, in 2023-2024, we are collecting data for the third wave of THE SIGNS Study, i.e., THE SIGNS Study – III.
THE SIGNS STUDY - III
Recruitment is currently ongoing for THE SIGNS Study – III. National University of Singapore (NUS) has contracted a survey research company, ML Research Consultants Pte Ltd, to collect data for this study. Invitation letters informing eligible participants or households of their selection for the study will be sent out on a rolling basis through 2023 and 2024. Interviewers hired by ML Research Consultants Pte Ltd will visit eligible participants or households for data collection.
WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE SIGNS STUDY - III?
Participants in the SIGNS Study – III can be either:
Previous participants of THE SIGNS Study – II who agreed to be re-contacted for participation in THE SIGNS Study – III, or
New participants who meet all the following criteria:
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Aged 60 to 110 years
- Living at an address provided to CARE by the Department of Statistics, Singapore
- Not living in an institution, for health or non-health reasons, at the time of the survey
If the selected respondent is unable to respond to an initial set of screening questions due to a medical diagnosis of dementia, or does not clear the screening, then a proxy can respond on his or her behalf. This proxy must be a family member or relative of the selected respondent, aged 21 years and above and someone who is familiar with the selected respondent's health and social situation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is the approximate number of research participants involved?
Up to 10,000 participants across Singapore are expected to participate in THE SIGNS Study – III.
How will my privacy and the confidentiality of my research records be protected?
The survey research company contracted to carry out data collection for this study, ML Research Consultants Pte Ltd, will store all information in secured, locked locations, before it is handed over to CARE. All data collected will be kept by CARE in accordance with the NUS Research Data Management Policy. A participant's personal data will never be stored alongside their research data (i.e., responses to the screener, responses to the questionnaire, and data pertaining to the older adult’s physical measurements). Your personal data will never be used in a publication or presentation. All your research data will be coded i.e., only identified with a case number.
Will there be reimbursement for participation?
Participants in THE SIGNS Study – III will be reimbursed with shopping vouchers in appreciation of their time. Shopping vouchers worth $40 will be given if participants respond to the questionnaire only. Alternatively, shopping vouchers worth $50 will be given if participants respond to the questionnaire and undertake the physical measurements).
I have not received an invitation letter for the study. Can I sign up for it?
Individuals or households selected for participation in THE SIGNS Study - III are being sent invitation letters on a rolling basis through 2023 and 2024. You will receive an invitation letter if you or your household is selected, and an interviewer from ML Research Consultants Pte Ltd will visit you subsequently.