APPTA National Innovation Hub

12/22/2025

✨ Happy Holidays from the APPTA Team! ✨

As we wrap up another year of collaboration, innovation, and meaningful work in support of healthy aging, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, researchers, policy makers, caregivers, and older adults who make this community so special.

Your commitment to advancing evidence-informed policy and improving the lives of older adults continues to inspire us.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year!❄️✨

May 2026 bring continued connection, creativity, and impact.

— The APPTA Team

12/17/2025

We’re pleased to announce the publication of our latest APPTA Knowledge Translation blog, written in collaboration with Mireille Gagnon-Roy. This piece explores innovative ways to optimize communication between health-care providers and caregivers by integrating functional, social, and personal data—not just medical information—to better support personalized care.

To complement the blog, we’ve also shared her new policy brief. The brief outlines key policy considerations and opportunities to strengthen communication pathways and improve care experiences for older adults and their caregivers.

The policy brief is attached directly to the blog, allowing readers to move seamlessly from the research discussion into practical, evidence-informed policy insights.

👉 Read the full blog and access the policy brief here:https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/2025/12/05/optimizing-communications-between-health-care-providers-and-caregivers-to-support-personalized-care-moving-beyond-medical-data-by-integrating-functional-social-and-personal-data

AUTHOR(S) & CREDENTIALS: Mireille Gagnon-Roy, OT, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Véronique Provencher, OT, PhD, Associate Professor, Bessam Abdulrazak, PhD, Full Professor AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S): Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (QC), Research Center on Aging, Sherbrooke (QC) and Centre de r...

12/10/2025

We’re excited to share our latest AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub APPTA Knowledge Translation blog, developed in collaboration with Urooj Khan, which takes a deeper look at important research exploring how technology can better support older adults and caregivers.

To complement the blog, we’ve also released Urooj's new policy brief, that highlights key policy considerations and opportunities for action. This brief is attached directly to the blog so readers can explore both the detailed research discussion and the policy implications in one place.

Together, these resources aim to bridge research and policy by translating evidence into meaningful insights for decision-makers, service providers, and anyone interested in aging and technology innovation.

👉 Read the full blog and policy brief:

AUTHOR(S) & CREDENTIALS: Urooj Khan, MSc — PhD Candidate, University of Toronto & Cassy Hemphill, Communications and Engagement Coordinator at AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub APPTA (Advancing Policies & Practices in Technology & Aging) AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S): University of Toronto, Rehabilitat...

12/08/2025

We at APPTA we're pleased to be able to join many other researchers, innovators, caregivers, policy makers and older adults at the 10th Annual AGE-WELL Conference this past October.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect, share ideas, and reflect on the future of aging and technology in Canada. From inspiring keynote sessions to dynamic presentations and meaningful conversations, the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving innovation that supports healthy aging.

AGE-WELL has put together a full recap of our takeaways and conference highlights. Take the time to read it by clicking here:

https://agewell-nce.ca/archives/22029

12/05/2025

We’re excited to share our latest Research Roundup: Personal Emergency Response Programs—a timely review exploring how these technologies support aging in place, enhance safety, and improve response outcomes for older adults.

This Research Roundup highlights:

🔹 Key features and benefits of personal emergency response programs
🔹 Evidence on effectiveness and user experiences
🔹 Policy and practice implications for decision-makers
🔹 Opportunities to strengthen system navigation and equitable access

📄 Available in both English and French:

English:https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RR12-Formatted-1.pdf
French:https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RR12-Formatted-Word-French-1.pdf

This Research Roundup is designed for policymakers, care providers, researchers, and anyone interested in innovative approaches to healthy aging.

10/24/2025

We’re excited to share that we have officially published a policy brief and accompanying knowledge translation (KT) blog with Signe Lund Mathiesen, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Auditory Aging at Baycrest Academy for Research and Education and an EPIC-AT Fellow.

Her policy brief, “Toward Inclusive Audiobook Production for Older Adults with Vision Loss,” explores how audiobook production practices can be made more inclusive and accessible for older Canadians with vision loss—an important step toward ensuring equitable access to information and leisure.

📘 Read the full policy brief and blog here:

🔗 https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/2025/10/22/toward-inclusive-audiobook-production-for-older-adults-with-vision-loss/

AUTHOR(S) & CREDENTIALS: Signe Lund Mathiesen, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S): Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, Canada Toward Inclusive Audiobook Production...

08/26/2025

We’re thrilled to share the Jurisdictional Scan "Aging at Home: Focusing on Financial Supports”. This timely report compiles a comprehensive snapshot of federal, provincial, and territorial financial assistance programs designed to help older Canadians remain safely and comfortably in their homes.

Across jurisdictions, the scan highlights programs that include:

💰 Pension income top-ups and emergency grants to supplement fixed incomes and cover unexpected costs.
💰 Property tax relief and seniors’ tax credits, helping reduce the financial burden of homeownership and maintenance.
💰 Utility and heating subsidies, making essential bills more manageable for low-income older adults.
💰 One-time or recurring financial supports aimed at covering renovation, accessibility upgrades, or emergency needs.

This scan is a tool that offers clarity on who is eligible, how to apply, and where financial gaps remain.

Let’s spread the word: share this resource to ensure older adults and their partners know there’s financial help available to keep aging at home accessible and sustainable.

Click here to read the full report:https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Jurisdictional-Scan-Supporting-Seniors-Aging-at-Home_Financial_2025-1-1.pdf

08/19/2025

Supporting older adults where it matters most 🏠❤️

We’re excited to share the latest Jurisdictional Scan – "Programs and Funding Supporting Aging at Home: Focusing on Health Supports". This report offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of health-focused programs across Canada that help seniors remain in their homes with dignity and comfort.

This scan packs a punch, detailing key supports like:

🏡 In-Home & In-Community Care — from nursing, therapy, and meal delivery to self-managed care models that put control in the hands of older adults.
🏥 Specialized Services — including palliative and rehabilitation care, adult day programming, caregiver respite, and fall-prevention initiatives like Québec’s STAND UP!
👂 Extended Health Coverage — insights into programs that go beyond basic Medicare, such as dental, vision, hearing, medical equipment, and prescription coverage.
💉 Medical Equipment & Supplies — coverage variation across provinces and tailored support programs for safety devices and mobility aids.
🚊 Transportation & Care Access — including tele-health, medical travel help, and programs that ensure older adults can still reach care when mobility is limited.

This scan is a powerful tool to spot gaps, align services, build equitable solutions, and support seniors in aging safely at home.

Click the link for the full document: https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Jurisdictional-Scan-Aging-at-Home_Health-_2025.pd

08/12/2025

Exciting new release for advocates!

We’re pleased to share the Jurisdictional Scan: "Programs and Funding Supporting Seniors Aging at Home: Focusing on Housing Support," comprehensive report maps out housing support programs available to older adults across Canada—from subsidized rent and rent supplements to portable supports under a variety of eligibility criteria across provinces and territories.

For instance:

🏡 New Brunswick’s Portable Rent Supplement Program targets people with disabilities under specific income thresholds, ensuring they pay just 30% of their adjusted household income for rent.

🏡 PEI’s Seniors Housing Program opens doors for applicants aged 60+ (or 55+ with disability) to access a range of housing options. In government-owned units, tenants may pay as low as 25% of household income, with heating and maintenance covered.

🏡 In Manitoba, diverse programs offer both subsidized housing and rent supplements tailored to older adults.

Why this matters:

This scan is a powerful tool highlighting how different regions are responding to housing affordability and accessibility for seniors. By showcasing choices like renting vs. supplement programs, it informs equitable and practical housing solutions for older Canadians.

Support aging in place? Share this resource!

Click here to read the full document: