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Aging Gracefully across Environments using Technology to Support Wellness, Engagement and Long Life - AGE-WELL

$58.6 million for 2014-24

About | News | Features | Videos

Headquarters
The KITE Research Institute at Toronto Rehab – University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario

Scientific Director
Alex Mihailidis

Associate Scientific Director
Josephine McMurray

Associate Scientific Director
Jennifer Campos

Board chair
Mimi Lowi-Young
Health System Executive; Former CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada

Growing older with dignity and grace with some high-tech help

The opportunity

Aging populations globally are stimulating rapid advances in artificial intelligence, mobile technologies, e-health and other technologies. These simultaneous developments create an ideal opportunity for Canada to emerge as a global leader in designing technology that supports healthy aging. Across Canada, there exists tremendous expertise that can be mobilized to accelerate innovation in technology and aging. Older adults and their caregivers are becoming tech savvy and there is a growing expectation for technologies to be integrated seamlessly in our daily lives. Technology offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the quality of life of older adults and caregivers, create socio-economic benefits, and reduce pressures on the health-care system and long-term care.

How AGE-WELL is seizing the opportunity

AGE-WELL brings together more than 250 researchers from 47 universities, over 400 industry and non-profit organizations, older adults, caregivers and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. AGE-WELL addresses complex issues in technology and aging through transdisciplinary research, training, partnerships, knowledge mobilization and technology commercialization.

AGE-WELL works across eight challenge areas to “move the dial” when it comes to supporting seniors and caregivers in Canada, achieving social and economic impact, and driving the AgeTech sector:

Supportive Homes & Communities
Health Care & Health Service Delivery
Autonomy & Independence
Cognitive Health & Dementia
Mobility & Transportation
Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness
Staying Connected
Financial Wellness & Employment

AGE-WELL also studies ethical, policy and regulatory issues associated with new technologies.

Among the results

AGE-WELL is preparing the next generation of leaders in technology and aging through the Early Professionals, Inspired Careers (EPIC) Program and EPIC-AT. Since 2015, EPIC has supported and trained over 1,200 trainees.
AGE-WELL supports over 60 startups that are commercializing and launching products, creating wealth and generating jobs, including: Centivizer Inc., which has commercialized an exergaming product that promotes physical and cognitive healths, Steadiwear Inc., which has brought to market a smart glove to reduce hand tremors, and Braze Mobility Inc., which sells blind spot sensor systems that can transform a regular wheelchair into a smart wheelchair able to help prevent collisions.
AGE-WELL researchers are developing over 180 technologies, services and policies/practices to help Canadians enjoy the best quality of life possible. These are practical, cost-effective solutions that increase people’s safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation.
AGE-WELL has four national innovation hubs that engage stakeholders at the local level while advancing its agenda nationwide. The newest, in Prince George, British Columbia, supports aging in northern and rural communities by making technologies more available. Hubs in Surrey, British Columbia, Ottawa, Ontario and Fredericton, New Brunswick focus on digital health technologies, sensors and analytics, and technology and aging policy, respectively.
AGE-WELL has become a major player on the global stage. The network continues to build international partnerships that help to advance AGE-WELL’s vision that Canada’s leadership in technology and aging benefits the world. In 2022, AGE-WELL’s scientific director and CEO Dr. Alex Mihailidis was recognized as one of the Healthy Ageing 50 – 50 leaders working to transform the world to be a better place to grow older. The Healthy Ageing 50 is an initiative under the banner of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.