Information for Participants

Dear Sir or Madam,

We invite you to participate in the above-mentioned study as an interviewee, survey participant, or workshop attendee, and would be pleased if you choose to take part. Please read the following information about the study’s purpose and content. You are welcome to keep this information sheet and ask any additional questions at any time.

What is the purpose of this study?
The aim of this research is to understand how climate change, health, long-term care for older adults, and energy efficiency are interconnected. Globally, the impacts and frequency of climate change are becoming more severe, and the population is aging. More energy is needed to meet the needs of this aging population and to counteract the effects of climate change. I am investigating how people can change their behavior to be better prepared for these impacts in old age.  

Why am I a potential participant?
You may be eligible to participate because you are either an older adult whose experiences we would like to learn about, or a stakeholder working with older adults who can provide insights into their energy use, health, and care. You may also be a younger person preparing for the future and focused on minimizing the negative effects of climate change.

What happens next if I want to participate?
If you choose to participate, we invite you to take part in a survey, workshop, or a 30–60 minute interview. We will ask you questions about topics, behaviors, and perspectives related to climate change, your health, living situation, and energy use. You will be contacted by Ms. Katsaros or another member of the research team.

After signing the consent form, the survey, workshop, or interview will take place. Interviews and workshops will be recorded using a digital recorder, then transcribed and analyzed. No information will be recorded or transcribed that could directly identify you. Place names will be changed if necessary to maintain anonymity. We may take notes on visual observations or environmental features we see, such as non-verbal cues or heaters/fans. The results of our research will be published in scientific journals and used for a doctoral dissertation. Please refer to the data protection information for further details.

Effort and Costs
There are no expenses or costs associated with your participation. We only ask for a little of your time.

Why should I participate?
By participating in this study, you contribute significantly to advancing research in the field of health and care for older adults in the context of climate change. Your experiences and insights are invaluable for developing better services and support options. Additionally, you have the opportunity to actively contribute to improving the quality of life for future older generations.

Am I required to participate? What happens if I withdraw?
No. Your participation is voluntary. If you decide to withdraw, skip questions, or stop participating, you may do so at any time without providing a reason. If you agree, your responses up to the point of withdrawal will be used. Otherwise, your responses will be destroyed and not used.

Will my responses be kept confidential?
Yes. All staff involved in data processing are contractually obligated to maintain confidentiality. Further processing and scientific analysis of interviews and workshops will be conducted anonymously, i.e., without personal reference.

Who can I contact with further questions?
Feel free to contact me: