Recent research shows that, if given the choice, nearly all older Canadians would prefer to age in place within their own homes and communities. The Aging in Place Challenge program aims to support this choice through technology and innovation.
The program's objectives focus on improving the quality of life of older adults and their personal caregivers through innovation for safe and healthy aging in support of a sustainable model for long-term care that shifts the focus toward preventive home and community-based care.
The aim is to offer alternatives to nursing home care and empower older adults to age in their homes and communities. Since its launch in 2021, the program has supported several funded collaborative R&D projects and initiatives, and continues to do so.
NRC Aging in Place Challenge program funding call
Round 2 of the healthy aging communities living labs call for proposals is now closed. Teams selected for the next step will be expected to submit their full proposal by November 1, 2024.
If you have any questions, send an email to NRC.AgingInPlace-VieillirChezSoi.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Healthy aging community living labs
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Figure of the healthy aging community living labs initiative
Figure of the healthy aging community living labs initiative – Text version
The healthy aging community living labs initiative funded and run by the NRC's Aging in Place Challenge program focuses on collaboration, co-creation and impact. The image shows the different living lab partners working together towards impact including:
- The NRC
- Experts by experience
- Research partner
- Industry
- Local government
- Health and social care
The objective of the initiative is to collaborate, co-develop and evaluate AgeTech innovations and solutions for aging in place.
About the program
The Aging in Place Challenge program harnesses the expertise and capabilities of several of the NRC's research centres to develop and support technologies and innovations to help increase the number of older Canadians who can continue living in their homes and communities by 2031.
Areas of focus
The NRC works with Canadian and international partners from communities, industry, academia, health and social care organizations, government and other interested parties to conduct research with the greatest impact and aligned with the program's areas of focus:
Getting involved
For experts by experience
If you are an older adult or caregiver and would be interested in becoming an expert by experience for the Aging in Place Challenge program, let us know. There will be a number of opportunities for you to get involved and provide your thoughts and opinions.
If you would like to be involved, complete the short intake form to provide us with some information about yourself to help us learn more about you and how you would like to be involved.
Consult the Aging in Place Challenge program's experts by experience Q&As.
Submit your interest to become an expert by experience for the Aging in Place Challenge program.
For collaborators
There will be ongoing opportunities for collaborators to get involved through the healthy aging communities living labs. Researchers and other collaborators from academic institutions, industry, not-for-profits, the private sector as well as Indigenous governments and organizations can express their interest in collaborating by sending an email to NRC.AgingInPlace-VieillirChezSoi.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. Living labs funding opportunities will be updated with new intake dates as they become available. In the meantime, follow the NRC on social media for updates using #NRCChallengeAgingInPlace.
Grant and contribution funding is available for eligible collaborators who offer complementary expertise through the NRC's National Program Office. Consult the page on funded collaborative R&D programs and initiatives for more information.
News
- Aging in Place Challenge program funding opportunity: healthy aging community living labs
- Expanding Canadian Investment in Aging in Place Technologies
- Challenge accepted: How to support older adults aging in place through a more sustainable long‑term care model
- Canada-Japan 3+2 collaborative call for proposals on AI-based solutions for well-being, better living environments and social connection for aging populations
- Case study report on Aging in Place Challenge program (Decade of Health Aging site)
Related links
- Keeping Canadians healthy and at home with VitalSeer
- Challenge programs
- Grant and contribution funding for collaborators
- Projects funded under the Aging in Place Challenge program and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Aging joint call for proposals
- Funded collaborative R&D projects
- Technology to support aging in place: key messages for policymakers and funders (article published in Frontiers in Psychology)
Feature projects
Contact us
If you are interested in collaborating, making investments in this area, attending a workshop or an engagement activity, or if you have any questions, please contact:
Patricia Debergue
Program Director
Aging in Place Challenge Program
Email: NRC.AgingInPlace-VieillirChezSoi.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Media Relations
National Research Council of Canada
Email: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Figure of the healthy aging community living labs initiative
Figure of the healthy aging community living labs initiative – Text version
The healthy aging community living labs initiative funded and run by the NRC's Aging in Place Challenge program focuses on collaboration, co-creation and impact. The image shows the different living lab partners working together towards impact including:
- The NRC
- Experts by experience
- Research partner
- Industry
- Local government
- Health and social care
The objective of the initiative is to collaborate, co-develop and evaluate AgeTech innovations and solutions for aging in place.