Three new research projects that focus on older adults or caregivers in the workplace have been awarded funding as part of the inaugural AGE-WELL Catalyst Funding Program.

The Catalyst Program supports innovative research projects aimed at generating, promoting or accelerating economic and social benefit in the field of technology and aging.

This year’s theme, which was identified by AGE-WELL stakeholders, is “older adults, caregivers and the workplace.” In total, the three projects will receive $119,967 over the next year.

Dr. Emily Nalder at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network will study the feasibility of delivering an online program to adults with subjective cognitive decline. These self-reported cognitive disturbances in healthy older adults can limit participation in productive and social activities. Between 20% and 60% of adults over 55 experience subjective cognitive decline.

Juggling work and caregiving roles can be a major challenge for family caregivers – one that Dr. Janet Fast at the University of Alberta aims to ease. Dr. Fast and her team will examine the needs of employed caregivers and their employers, and the potential for technologies to meet those needs.

Retirement can negatively affect a person’s physical, mental and self-assessed health. For an organization, it can contribute to information and knowledge loss. Dr. Karyn Moffatt at McGill University will examine employee preferences for methods and technologies to share knowledge before and after retirement. The goal is to develop novel ‘continuity-management’ support systems.

To learn more about these newly-funded projects, visit https://agewell-nce.ca/research/2016-catalyst-funding-program/catalyst-2016

AGE-WELL’s Catalyst Program supports scalable research projects including pilot studies, feasibility studies and novel approaches that are aligned with AGE-WELL’s mission and vision. It is expected that successful Catalyst projects may be suitable for future AGE-WELL investment.

Launched in 2015 through the federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence program, AGE-WELL strives to create real-world solutions that will make a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadian seniors and caregivers.