AGE-WELL warmly welcomes Varsha Bhat and Lynn Jackson to its Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee. Their experience and insight will advance AGE-WELL’s work to empower older Canadians to live independently and well, while supporting caregivers.
Varsha Bhat, Central Region Representative
Varsha Bhat, MBA, is a business growth and partnerships leader with deep experience launching new business lines across North America and Europe, and building strategic alliances that drive adoption and impact. Her career spans the intersection of innovation, market expansion and cross-functional collaboration within the global technology sector.
She is now applying this expertise to the aging, caregiving and AgeTech ecosystem, informed by lived caregiving experience and a strong commitment to improving quality of life for older adults and their families. As a volunteer member of AGE-WELL’s Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee (OACAC), Ms. Bhat brings a practitioner’s lens to aligning technology, policy and real-world care needs.
Ms. Bhat is the Founder and Host of the Aging With Dignity video podcast, a community service platform advancing awareness, dialogue and practical solutions for inclusive and dignified aging. She remains actively engaged through advisory work, partnerships and AgeTech research.
Lynn Jackson, Pacific Region Representative
Lynn Jackson began her career as a Registered Nurse. She is a proud member of the Metis Nation of BC with sixth generation roots stemming from the Manitoba Saulteux Nation.
After becoming medically retired with a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia, she turned to advocating for people with dementia. She has spoken locally, nationally and internationally in an effort to promote better diagnosis, access to treatment and inclusiveness.
Ms. Jackson has taken a particular interest in breaking the stigma surrounding a diagnosis of dementia. She has participated in numerous Alzheimer’s Disease International working groups helping its member countries become more inclusive of people with dementia. She is one of the founders of Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International (DASNI) (2001), an internet-based organization (first of its kind), by and for those diagnosed with early-stage dementia. While DASNI’s website is no longer live, its work can be seen in the building momentum of dementia advocacy around the world.
Ms. Jackson has participated in many planning and advisory committees as well as numerous research projects with various universities over the years.
She was also a caregiver to both her parents during their dementia journeys.
The Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee (OACAC) provides strategic guidance to AGE-WELL leadership, ensuring essential lived-experience grounds our mission and informs the full breadth of network initiatives. The committee’s contributions include practical, real-world insights – for example, conducting relevancy reviews of funding applications.
“We’re thrilled that Varsha and Lynn have joined the committee, sharing their extensive knowledge and experience,” said Bridgette Murphy, CEO of AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging network. “In everything AGE-WELL does, older adults and caregivers are central. This is how we ensure uptake and impact.”
For a full list of OACAC members, visit https://agewell-nce.ca/people/oacac