Event Recap: TMU symposium examined wide range of aging research
The first Aging Symposium at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) brought together experts from across faculties and disciplines to explore the impact of aging on individuals, their communities and society at large.
The September 20th event, hosted by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, featured a keynote and panels that discussed a range of aging-related topics, from cognition to care delivery to inclusive housing to financial security. These TMU-affiliated experts engaged each other and the audience in examining the many topics that surround aging, an issue that impacts everyone as the country’s demographics shift, noted Steven N. Liss, TMU’s vice-president, research and innovation, during his opening remarks. “Whether it’s something we face personally or are sandwiched between generations and caring for aging parents or relatives, it’s something that’s top of mind,” he said. He highlighted the breadth and depth of the university’s aging-related research. “Researchers need to address the unique health-care, social and economic challenges this demographic shift represents.”
Keynote
The event presentations began with a keynote talk by Dr. Samir Sinha entitled Practical and Ethical Implications of Leveraging Technologies, including AI, to Enable Ageing in the Right Place.
Dr. Samir Sinha, the director of health policy research at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), noted that NIA research shows that 91 per cent of Canadians of all ages surveyed and 100 per cent of those aged 65 and older report they plan to age safely at home. “It is very loud and clear where Canadians want to go,” he said.
But can technology help facilitate aging safely at home? Dr. Sinha discussed the growing technology options, from streamlined virtual appointments to lifelines. These technologies can be beneficial, but there are challenges ranging from barriers to use, such as connectivity and cost, designs not incorporating end-user insights and ethical quandaries over data collection and use. He said digital technologies have the potential to better promote independence, dignity and respect, but there is also a need to think about basic, non-digital technologies that can improve patients’ lives and safety.
A trio of panels
Collaboration with community and industry emerged as a major theme of the day’s first panel, Aging and Cognition, which brought together three psychology professors and a medical imaging professor to discuss aging and cognition. They shared tips on how to engage with potential research partners like underrepresented communities or industry, but all emphasized the need for reciprocal relationships that benefit everyone involved. “It’s bidirectional and we really have to think about the mutual need,” said psychology professor Lixia Yang.
The panel participants also shared what they are excited about for the future of their individual fields – answers ranged from connecting research to real life, the future of music in medicine, efforts to ensure research incorporates more diversity in data and the potential to grow and refine the use of AI tools to assist doctors in assessing medical imaging.
The panellists:
- Professor Alexandra Fiocco, Department of Psychology
- Professor April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in AI for Medical Imaging, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering
- Professor Frank Russo, Department of Psychology
- Professor Lixia Yang, Department of Psychology
- Moderated by professor M. Natasha Rajah, Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender and Diversity in Brain Health, Memory and Aging, Department of Psychology
The second panel of the day, Spaces/Places of Aging, underscored the need for systemic changes and looked at strategies that have been most effective in creating aging-friendly built environments. Research shows that encouraging social participation and independence for older residents through better access to services enables aging in place. To meet the needs of diverse populations, like immigrant older adults, technologies such as translation apps and designing with inclusivity in mind are key. “When you create inclusiveness for one minority group, you create it for everyone,” said planning professor Victor Perez-Amado.
The panellists:
- Professor Samantha Biglieri, Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
- Professor Lu Wang, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
- Professor Rosanra (Rosie) Yoon, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
- Professor Victor Perez-Amado, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
- Moderated by professor emerita Janet Lum, Department of Politics and Public Administration
Panel three, Aging, Work and Financial Security, looked at the benefits of older workers staying in the workforce, such as their experience and leadership skills. Some of the challenges they face were also discussed, including workload and physical demands, ageism and limited protection for older workers under discrimination laws. The discussion spoke of the need for systemic changes to support nurses and personal support workers, including inclusive, barrier-free environments.
Findings from a National Institute on Ageing survey on the financial well-being of older adults in Canada highlighted the need for adequate income to support aging. Due to potential future financial concerns for older adults, including the rising cost of living and the impact of government benefits, the panellists emphasized the need for holistic approaches to financial security and the importance of addressing the broader social and economic factors that affect older adults.
The panellists:
- Professor Susan (Sue) Bookey-Bassett, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
- Alyssa Brierley, Executive Director, National Institute on Ageing
- Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Director of Financial Security Research, National Institute on Ageing
- Professor Pnina Alon-Shenker, School of Business Management
- Moderated by professor Julia Spaniol, Department of Psychology
Closing remarks by School of Social Work professor Usha George emphasized the need for a holistic approach to health and well-being, as evidenced by recent US research on the impact of social supports on health. She highlighted the importance of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work occurring at TMU, creating opportunities to foster healthy adults and older adults through social capital.
