January 2025 Community of Interest Highlights

The Aging in Community Education & Research (ACER) Community of Interest is a dynamic platform for sharing emerging trends, exchanging knowledge, and exploring research opportunities. It fosters collaboration among organizations, faculty, researchers, and students in an informal, interactive setting.

The highlights from our recent CI gathering on Thursday, January 16th, 2025, are as follows:

Participants shared valuable perspectives and innovative ideas, including:

David Newman from Humber College presented about his upcoming project on March 11-13 exploring the use of spatial technologies like VR and AR for therapy, quality of life, and potentially slowing down dementia effects for older adults. The project aims to bring together students, faculty, industry partners, and experts in aging to brainstorm ideas and critique the technologies from a human-centered perspective.

Amy Altwerger from Rosie's Traveling Roadshow introduced their initiative focused on raising awareness about the aging population and its impact on the workforce among business leaders.

Rosie's Roadshow hosts 'Leadership Labs' events to facilitate discussions and networking among organizational leaders on aging-related topics in the workplace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8DG7frh7tQ&t=4s

Their next event is on JAN 22 - BRANTFORD - 6 PM. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rosies-roadshow_leadershiplab-rosiesroadshow-leadership-activity-7282880177255112705-v0kz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Lindsay Cox from SE Health shared about their upcoming virtual event on February 5th, 'Designing the Future: Scaling Innovative Housing Options for Older Adults,' featuring panels on unique senior living models and funding perspectives. Lindsay also shares the following link with the participant about the small Care Homes Report: https://sehc.com/about/news-media/theres-no-place-like-home

Doris Hanlon from ADM ACCESS discussed her work in accessible home modifications, highlighting the importance of considering accessibility from the start rather than retrofitting later.

Mark Venning shared the link from the National Institute on Ageing's (NIA) latest report calling for the urgent prioritization of small care homes for the older adults: https://www.niageing.ca/small-care-homes