Canadian Adulthood and Retirement Study (CARES)

Retirement is an important goal for many Canadians, but our knowledge about the effects of retirement on individuals and those around them is still limited. This 5-year study is designed to examine thoughts, beliefs and activities of retired and non-retired individuals aged 55 and over. Your participation will help social scientists better understand the unique opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to retirement. Up to 300 people will participate in this study.

This study is being conducted by researchers in the
Department of Psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, in collaboration with researchers at York University and the University of Toronto Scarborough. Research results will be disseminated in open-access publications, presentations, and via the Open Science Framework (osf.io). The study protocol has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at Ryerson University (REB # 2021-297).

Participate in this study
A group of elder people joining arms

About CARES

Summary

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete the following:

1) One phone interview during which you will be given short tests of memory and thinking ability. The phone interview lasts about 20-30 minutes.

2) Three online questionnaires that include questions about demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, work history, home address for the purpose of payment only), health, and personal values and beliefs; questions about your thoughts about the future; and several short decision-making scenarios.

You will be sent a link to the first questionnaire immediately after the phone interview. Invitations to complete the second and third questionnaires will be sent to you approximately 2 and 4 years later, respectively. The time required to complete each questionnaire varies, but most people take about 60 minutes.

Study Requirements

  • You are at least 55 years old at the time of enrollment (there is no upper age limit)

  • You are working (part-time or full-time) OR you are retired from the workforce at the time of enrollment

  • You are willing to participate in a phone interview and in an online study with three occasions spaced ~2 years apart

  • You have access to and feel comfortable using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an Internet connection

Study Location

All study activities will be conducted online or over the phone.

Compensation for Participation

Monetary compensation (maximum: $70 total) will be provided. You will receive $30 for the phone interview plus first web survey, and $20 each for the second and third surveys. Payment is made via cheque sent to your home address.

Privacy and Safeguards

This research project has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at Ryerson University. All personal information collected in this research project will be kept confidential. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone outside the research team.

Questions about the Study

If you have questions about the research, you may contact:

Dr. Julia Spaniol
jspaniol@ryerson.ca
416-979-5000 ext. 552268

If you have questions regarding your rights as a human participant in this study, you may contact the Ryerson University Research Ethics Board for information:

Research Ethics Board
c/o Office of the VP, Research and Innovation
Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street
Toronto ON M5B 2K3
416-979-5042
rebchair@ryerson.ca

Summary

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete the following:

1) One phone interview during which you will be given short tests of memory and thinking ability. The phone interview lasts about 20-30 minutes.

2) Three online questionnaires that include questions about demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, work history, home address for the purpose of payment only), health, and personal values and beliefs; questions about your thoughts about the future; and several short decision-making scenarios.

You will be sent a link to the first questionnaire immediately after the phone interview. Invitations to complete the second and third questionnaires will be sent to you approximately 1.5 and 3 years later, respectively. The time required to complete each questionnaire varies, but most people take about 60 minutes.

Study Requirements

  • You are at least 55 years old at the time of enrolment (there is no upper age limit)

  • You are working (part-time or full-time) OR you are retired from the workforce at the time of enrolment

  • You are willing to participate in a phone interview and in an online study with three occasions spaced 1.5 years apart

  • You have access to and feel comfortable using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an Internet connection

Study Location

All study activities will be conducted online or over the phone.

Compensation for Participation

Monetary compensation ($70 total) will be provided.

You will receive $30 for the phone interview plus first online questionnaire, and $20 each for the second and third questionnaires. Payment is made via cheque sent to your home address.

Privacy and Safeguards

This research project has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at Ryerson University. All personal information collected in this research project will be kept confidential. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone outside the research team.

Questions about the Study

If you have questions about the research, you may contact:

Dr. Julia Spaniol
jspaniol@ryerson.ca
416-979-5000 ext. 552268

If you have questions regarding your rights as a human participant in this study, you may contact the Ryerson University Research Ethics Board for information:

Research Ethics Board
c/o Office of the VP, Research and Innovation
Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street
Toronto ON M5B 2K3
416-979-5042
rebchair@ryerson.ca

An elder woman sitting down smiling in front of a laptop holding a cup of coffee.

Please fill out the form below to participate in this study

Thank you for your interest in this study!

If you have filled out the form above you will receive an email from us within 2 business days.

Contact us
A middle-aged couple embracing and smiling