Aging in Place: Technology and Innovation – Program plan

By 2050, older adults are expected to represent 25% of Canada's population.Footnote 1 If given the choice, over 85% of older adults in Canada would prefer to age in place within their own homes and communities.Footnote 2

Many older adults live with multiple chronic health conditions and require support to manage the activities of daily living. Recent Canadian studies suggest that 11 to 22% of older adults who had recently transitioned into nursing home care could have stayed in home or community‑based care with the appropriate supports in place.Footnote 3, Footnote 4 Technology and innovation can help support the choice to age in place. As Canada prepares for the unique social, fiscal, and medical challenges associated with a rapidly aging population, innovative solutions are required to support older adults in their goal of aging in place.

Program Objectives

The program's objectives will focus on improving the quality of life of older adults and their personal caregivers through technology and innovation that support safe and healthy aging. The focus will not merely be on chronic conditions, but also on reducing isolation and maintaining social support networks. The program's research also aims to inform federal and provincial policy decisions by contributing to the development of evidence based standards and guidelines.

The program was officially launched in April 2021 and an initial set of collaborative projects are underway. Stay tuned for our next call for expressions of interest.

Aging in place program plan

Aging in Place program plan

A 20% increase in the number of older adults who are living in homes and communities of their choice by the year 2031.

Safety

Objective: An increase in living environments that support safe and injury-free aging.

Smart materials and devices

  • Environmental safety monitoring
  • Printable electronics
  • Next-generation medication adherence
  • Chronic wound monitoring

AI-assisted decision making

  • Wearable and embedded sensing
  • Gait assessment and mobility monitoring
  • Integrated decision support

Sample project: Printed electronics-based sensors for fall detection and prevention

Health

Objective: An increase in solutions that support older adults and caregivers to effectively manage their cognition, physical health, and activities of daily living.

Brain health

  • Early detection of cognitive decline
  • Non-invasive diagnostics and monitoring
  • Digital therapeutics for cognitive training

Physical health

  • Contactless physiological monitoring
  • Augmented reality for rehabilitation

Activities of daily living

  • Assistive technologies and caregiver support
  • Robotic assistance for physical transfers

Sample project: Contactless monitoring and remote care for older adults

Connection

Objective: A reduction of barriers to mobility, transportation and social engagement.

Mobility and transportation

  • Accessible travel for aging population
  • Age-friendly autonomous vehicles and last-mile solutions
  • Innovative designs for individual/community transportation
  • Remote driving capability assessment

Social engagement

  • Technology and innovation to support mental health
  • Reduction of social isolation

Sample project: Advancing accessible travel for aging Canadians

Standards

Objective: An increase in Canadian AgeTech adoption through evidence-based age-friendly standards and policies.

AgeTech adoption

  • Evaluation and adaptation of AgeTech
  • Technical interoperability

Data privacy and cybersecurity

  • Online safety for older adults
  • Context-aware security solutions
  • Human-computer interaction

Dwellings for successful aging in place

  • Indoor environmental conditions
  • Acoustics and impact noise

Sample project: Security and privacy assessment for smart home technology