A new facility aimed at bridging the gap between older adults and technology officially launched at UNBC today (Nov. 25).
As rapidly evolving technology can make a big difference in the lives of older adults, caregivers and the health-care system, the AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub hosted at the Prince George post-secondary is set to support those aging in rural and northern communities by increasing access to the latest innovations and collaborating on new research projects.
A partnership between the school, AGE-WELL and Northern Health, the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN) will help bring together technology developers in providing solutions so that health-care providers, community groups and older adults themselves can become more independent.
“We are proud to be part of this important new initiative, which brings stakeholders together to ensure that older Canadians and caregivers in rural and northern communities benefit from emerging technologies that support healthy aging,” says Dr. Andrew Sixsmith, scientific director of the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence, in a news release.
Today marks the launch of our fourth National Innovation Hub - the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN).
— AGE-WELL NCE Inc. (@AGEWELL_NCE) November 25, 2020
Learn more: https://t.co/B3HbvymUKp @UNBC @Northern_Health pic.twitter.com/1fISs0YzWd
CTAAN will be built on the healthy aging research of social gerontologist Dr. Shannon Freeman, an associate professor of nursing at UNBC, and its founding academic director, Dr. Richard McAloney.
“Innovative, new, and creative technology-driven solutions are being developed to support provision of timely, high quality, and appropriate care, and to improve upstream approaches to care, to better support those aging in rural and northern B.C.,” says Dr. Freeman in the same statement.
“At CTAAN, we recognize the opportunity to pair existing services with new and innovative strategies involving technology to provide more accessible and comprehensive supports to older adults and their caregivers.”
Implementing new and existing technological solutions and ensuring equitable access in rural and remote communities will not only improve quality of life for older adults, it can also lessen the load for long-term care and acute-care facilities across northern B.C.
“As the population in northern B.C. continues to age over the next 15-20 years, the health system needs to think differently in how to support older persons to age with grace and remain independent as long as possible,” says Northern Health's Elder Care Program Executive Lead Aaron Bond.
“CTAAN provides a partnered approach to explore innovations in technology development and we are very fortunate to have strong partnerships with UNBC and AGE-WELL. We look forward to what is possible in adapting, piloting, and implementing innovations in technology to support older adults in rural and Northern communities.”
In addition, CTAAN will support research activities at UNBC and provide student training, along with experiential learning opportunities.
“The Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North aligns with and supports UNBC’s vision to transform lives and communities in northern B.C. and beyond,” adds UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne.
“As the host institution, CTAAN will allow UNBC to deepen our ties with AGE-WELL and Northern Health and forge new research partnerships.”
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