Take Action for Your Brain Health: New Findings for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of our brain health and take steps to reduce the risk of dementia. Groundbreaking updates from the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care offer new hope and insights to protect our brain health. According to the 2024 report, “nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors.” 

Two newly identified factors—high LDL cholesterol and untreated vision loss—join the list, expanding the ways individuals can protect their cognitive health. These findings underscore the power of prevention and the critical role of public awareness.

Join Our Webinar - Reducing Your Risk of Dementia: Evidence-Based Advice for Canadians of All Ages and Health Professionals

Join us for an engaging webinar on February 20, 2024, from 12:00–1:00 PM EST. Learn how addressing 14 modifiable risk factors can delay or prevent nearly half of all dementia cases. 

Featuring Dr. Samir Sinha (NIA) and Dr. Serge Gauthier (McGill University), this session will share the latest dementia research, practical strategies for reducing risk at every life stage, and actionable insights for healthcare providers. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower yourself with tools to support brain health and healthy ageing. Reserve your spot today!

Building Fairer, Healthier Societies: Insights from the 2024 Canada-UK Colloquium

Last month, Executive Director Alyssa Brierley and Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research, participated in the 2024 Canada-United Kingdom Colloquium in Cardiff, Wales. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and advocates from both countries to address one pressing question: how can we achieve greater health equity?

Key discussions centered on the understanding that health outcomes are shaped not only by health care systems but also by the social determinants of health—the conditions in which people live, work, and age. Evidence suggests these determinants account for 30-55% of health outcomes, underscoring the importance of cross-sectoral policy coherence.

Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: A Call to Action for Policymakers

The NIA is proud to announce the release of Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey, the largest ongoing research initiative dedicated to understanding the perspectives and experiences of Canadians aged 50 and older. With findings from nearly 6,000 respondents, this third edition of the survey provides policymakers with actionable data to address the challenges and opportunities of Canada’s ageing population.

A Comprehensive Lens on Ageing

As Canada’s demographic shift continues, the insights from this survey are more critical than ever. The report delves into three key dimensions—social well-being, financial security, and health and independence—to highlight areas of stability, progress, and persistent inequities affecting older adults.

Key Findings:

• Social Well-Being: While strong social networks positively influence healthy ageing, 36% of respondents report weak networks, often linked to poor health or financial struggles. Notably, 70% of Canadians aged 50+ report experiencing everyday ageism, underscoring the need for systemic change.

• Financial Security: One in five Canadians aged 50+ lives in poverty as measured by the Material Deprivation Index, with financial challenges disproportionately affecting renters, single-person households, and those without workplace pensions.

• Health and Independence: Gaps in access to healthcare and community-based services persist, with affordability and eligibility cited as barriers. Meanwhile, 80% of older adults express a desire to age in place, highlighting the importance of enabling home-based supports.

Bridging Generations: NIA Joins University of Toronto’s Intergenerational Classroom to Explore Ageing and Health

Last month, the NIA's Director of Policy, Gabrielle Gallant and Senior Policy Analyst Dhilal Alhaboob, attended the closing lecture of the Aging and Health course at the University of Toronto. The lecture was part of the “Intergenerational Classroom” initiative at Christie Gardens, a unique experiential learning partnership between the university and the retirement community.

The Intergenerational Classroom, located at Christie Gardens, a retirement community and long-term care home located in Toronto’s Seaton Village, pairs University of Toronto undergraduates with older adults residing in the retirement community. The course is taught by Raza Mirza, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute for Life Course and Aging and Director of National Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization at HelpAge Canada. 

This semester marks the second time the class has been held following its successful launch in the fall of 2023. The class offers students a semester-long, immersive exploration of ageing, gerontology, and geriatrics, with interactive seminars, collaborative projects, mentorship, and exchanges that promote intergenerational dialogue and understanding.

The NIA was invited to attend the closing lecture on December 6, 2024, which focused on social determinants of health, financial security in older age, and perceptions of ageing. Intergenerational initiatives like these foster inclusivity, empathy, and lifelong learning while supporting the exchange of knowledge that informs and enriches the experiences of ageing.

The Intergenerational Classroom is proudly sponsored by the Christie Gardens Foundation and supported by key partners, including HelpAge Canada, CanAge, the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, and the University of Toronto’s Institute for Life Course and Aging. This collaboration is a powerful example of how intergenerational approaches can build stronger, more inclusive communities for people of all ages.

Move More, Age Well: The Power of Physical Activity in Healthy Ageing

A review article published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) by Jane S. Thornton, William N. Morley and Samir K. Sinha highlights the transformative role of physical activity in improving health outcomes for older adults. Regular physical activity not only reduces the risk of death from all causes by 31% but also offers protection against more than 30 chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, and dementia. With Canada’s ageing population growing—1 in 5 people will be aged 65+ in 2025—encouraging physical activity has never been more critical.

The review underscores the importance of tailoring activity plans for older adults, especially those with chronic conditions or mobility challenges. Clinicians are encouraged to use frameworks like the WHO’s 5As to prescribe physical activity as part of routine care and track it as a vital sign in patient records.

“Physical activity isn’t just about extending life; it’s about adding life to years,” says Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing. “For older adults, even small increases in activity can lead to better physical, mental, and emotional well-being, empowering them to remain independent and live fulfilling lives.”

The NIA welcomes Dr. Caroline Green as an Associate Fellow. Dr. Green’s research as the Director of Research at the University of Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI, focuses on AI and human rights, specifically in the fields of health and social care. Innovative technologies are showing promise in helping people stay independent while improving their safety, well-being, and quality of life, as well as supporting family caregivers and care providers. The NIA looks forward to working with Dr. Green to develop practical strategies to address these challenges and make the most of digital technologies to support ageing in the right place.

The NIA is excited to welcome Liz McGuire (PMP) and Sabrina Moella to our team.

Liz, a policy and project management expert, brings over a decade of experience in government, non-profits, and the private sector. She previously led operations at BGM Strategy Group and worked on social policy at Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Housing Services Corporation (HSC).

Sabrina, our new Bilingual Marketing and Communications Officer, has 20 years of experience in media, branding, and social media strategy. She previously worked on bilingual projects at the Coalition for Music Education in Canada and the Canadian Media Fund. She holds a Master’s in Marketing and Communications from CELSA-Sorbonne University.

• Preparing to Care: Perspectives of Ontarians who expect to be a caregiver in the next 5 years (Ontario Caregiver Organization): The OCO report examines the capacity issues facing our healthcare and social systems today, given the significant reliance society has on family caregivers.

Sector Events:

• January 30 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET [WEBINAR]: Building Capacity: Dementia Research With Ethno-racial Communities

• February 4 from at 1:00 PM ET [WEBINAR]: Making Advance Care Planning More Accessible for Canadians with Disabilities

• February 5 from 12:00-1:30 ET [WEBINAR]: Designing the Future: Scaling Innovative Housing Options for Older Adults

• February 15-17: Love and the Trick of Time, a theatrical presentation in collaboration with Cahoots Theatre

• February 20 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET [WEBINAR]: 7 Steps Toward Better CPP/QPP Claiming Decisions

• February 25 from 1:00-4:00 PM ET - Sensory Loss and Aging

• April 7-9: Together We Care 2025

• May 24: IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s

• June 19-20: West Coast Conference on Aging

DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER? 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!

TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund

Help create a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported, and better prepared to age well and with confidence by making a charitable gift to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund today. Gifts to the TMU National Institute on Ageing Fund make a tangible impact on the future of ageing in Canada. You choose the amount. You make the difference. Donate now!