Lay summary
In Aotearoa, New Zealand the ageing population makes people of advanced age of major public health interest. Importantly ageing for Maori has not been clarified. The Life and Living in Advanced Age Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) is recruiting 600 Maori (80-90 years) and 600 non-Maori (85 years) in the bay of Plenty in 2010. This project extends LiLACS NZ to establish the predictors of: continuing high level of function and ongoing depression; and the prevalence and incidence of dementia. Those remaining in the cohort will be followed up at 12 (n=1080) and 24 months (n=972). Baseline status will be compared between those who age well and those do not in order to understand development and progression of key health issues for Maori and non-Maori. The results will progress Maori health research and research in advanced ageing. The findings will be used by health planners, communities and local organisations.