The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. If necessary, a proxy (close relative or caretaker) provided an indirect interview of the participant. In 1992 the interviewers used paper questionnaires.

Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected.

Cognitive function was also assessed using a condensed version of the Mini-Mental State Exam.

The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. Telephone interviews were conducted when the participant refused to meet for a face-to-face interview but could accept an interview by telephone. All questions in the questionnaire were asked but the tests of physical and cognitive functions were not possible to perform. Proxy interviews were carried out if the subject where unable to answer all (indirect interview) or some of the questions (mixed interview) directly. The most common reason for a proxy interview was dementia or frailty. Proxies were either close relatives or health care personnel. Information from proxy interviews was included in this study in order to get a complete picture of the living conditions of the very old. Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected.

The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) was used in 2004. Proxy interviews were carried out if the subject was unable to answer all (indirect interview) or some of the questions (mixed interview) directly. A mail questionnaire was used if the subject had hearing problems or if the subject or the proxy did not want to answer the questions over the phone.

Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected.

Cognitive function was also assessed using a condensed version of the Mini-Mental State Exam, as well as with cognitive ADL tests.

The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. In 2011 the interviewers used computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI). Indirect interviews were carried out if the subject was not able to answer questions by any of the methods described above. The most common reasons for an indirect interview being required were dementia or frailty. Indirect interviews were conducted either with close relatives or health care personnel.

Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected.

Personality was assessed using the a short form of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).

Cognitive function was also assessed using a condensed version of the Mini-Mental State Exam, as well as with cognitive ADL tests.

Function tests were performed such as a peak flow test, nine performance tests, hand function tests, hand-grip tests and vision tests.

Finally, a saliva sample was collected.

The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. The interviewers used Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). Indirect interviews were carried out if the subject was not able to answer questions by any of the methods described above. The most common reasons for an indirect interview being required were dementia or frailty. Indirect interviews were conducted either with close relatives or health care personnel.

Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected.

Cognitive function was also assessed using a condensed version of the Mini-Mental State Exam, as well as with cognitive ADL tests.

The interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes or institutions where they lived and were based on a structured questionnaire. The interviewers used Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and indirect interviews were carried out if the subject was not able to answer questions by any of the methods described above. The most common reasons for an indirect interview being required were dementia or frailty. Indirect interviews were conducted either with close relatives or health care personnel.

Information collected included individuals’ command over resources in terms of family and social relations, material living conditions (income and wealth), health, education, political life, leisure time activities, housing conditions, and in contrast with the Swedish Level of Living Surveys (LNU), functional abilities and ADLs were included as well. In addition to this, information about the respondent’s children, geographical proximity, generational transfers, conflicts and emotional closeness was also collected. COVID-19 pandemic-related experiences were part of the data collected as well.

A screening test for health literacy, questions on mobility patterns were assessed. Loneliness was also assessed through the UCL loneliness scale.

Cognitive function was also assessed using a condensed version of the Mini-Mental State Exam, as well as with cognitive ADL tests.