The Canadian government has announced a $30 million investment to continue to help accelerate innovation in ageing and brain health.
As part of Brain Awareness Week and Brain Health Awareness Month, Canada’s Ministry of Health has announced a $30 million investment to continue supporting the implementation of Canada’s National Dementia Strategy.
This investment will be provided to the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) to help accelerate innovation in aging and brain health so that older adults can age safely in the setting of their choice while maintaining their cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being.
As of 2020, almost 474,000 people aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with dementia in Canada – of those, two thirds are women. As our population ages, the number of Canadians affected by dementia is expected to increase, and based on current trends, by 2030, the number of people living with dementia will nearly double.
A previous budget already provided $30 million over three years to CABHI. With this additional funding, CABHI will continue to support promising innovations across the country that help to meet the needs of older adults, and people living with brain health issues, including dementia.
Innovative solutions will cover a range of issues, including aging at home, cognitive health, care coordination, financial health and wellness, and support the development of programs to test solutions in real-world healthcare delivery organisations.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, commented: “As we all age, protecting our safety while maintaining our well-being is crucial for a good quality of life. That is why we are partnering with CABHI, who works to support innovative projects and research across the country to improve health outcomes for people living with brain health issues, including dementia. These projects contribute to a better quality of life for older adults, their families, and caregivers.”
The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety of Canada, said: “With this additional investment, CABHI will contribute to building a skilled workforce and system-level capacity in older adult care that mobilises knowledge and innovation that nurture ideas from point-of-care staff, and leverages partnerships with industry and academic institutions. CABHI also supports students, researchers and entrepreneurs to test, validate and mobilise solutions in real-world healthcare delivery organisations, informed by valuable insights from people with lived experience.”
Dr Allison Sekuler, president and chief scientist of the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, added: “The federal government’s reinvestment in CABHI enables us to continue filling our unique and vital role in Canada’s health, research, and innovation ecosystem. CABHI improves the lives of people at-risk-for and living with dementia, and their caregivers, by ensuring the best Canadian solutions get into the hands of people who need them as quickly as possible, while also advancing economic success of Canada’s researchers and entrepreneurs and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of seniors’ care organisations.
“This support is critical for future development, validation, commercialisation, and spread and scale of novel ageTech and other innovative programs across the country, and will help us grow essential partnerships nationally and internationally that turn ideas into impact and put older adults at the centre of innovation.”