Research
Institute of Aging: Priority Research Topics
The Institute of Aging supports research on the aging process (biological, psychological, sociological), age-related diseases and disabilities, conditions associated with aging, emerging needs of people as they age, and health services to the elderly population.
This broad mandate embraces a range of research topics, grouped under 5 priority themes:
- Healthy and successful aging determinants including, health behaviours, nutrition; population health; aging in rural and remote areas; housing, transportation, living arrangements; social support, isolation, family; economic issues, retirement; quality of life; mental heath; cognitive abilities; dying with dignity; substance abuse and addictions; secure aging (abuse and violence).
- Biological mechanisms of aging including, cell and tissue senescence; apoptosis; stress and longevity genes; telomeres and telomerase; reproductive aging; neurobiology of aging; DNA maintenance and repair; free radicals and antioxidants; animal models of aging; age-related changes in tissue, systems and functions.
- Cognitive impairment in aging the Institute is leading the development of a National Research Strategy on Cognitive Impairment in Aging encompassing: cognitive impairment as a continuum, including Alzheimer Disease and other dementias; biomolecular basis; neuropsychology; genetics and environmental influences; social, psychological and lifestyle influences; normal vs abnormal changes in cognitive function; diagnosis; epidemiology; treatment and prevention; caregiving; health services and rehabilitation; safety issues (car driving, fire prevention); ethics; quality of life.
- Aging and maintenance of functional autonomy focuses is primarily on the functional limitations as the consequences of diseases rather than on the diseases themselves: frailty and functional decline; motor disabilities, gait and posture, falls; communication (speech, language); sensory (hearing, vision); incontinence; aids and adaptation; rehabilitation, home and institutional care and caregiving; major causes of disabilities (stroke, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, respiratory diseases).
- Health services and policy relating to older people including: acute & long-term care; home & community care; caregiving; nutritional services, geriatric services, nursing services, medical services (care gap); medication use; end-of-life & palliative care; integrated delivery systems; health and social services related policy analysis.
