The Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging's Aging Insights newsletter features aging-related research, education, and community initiatives that involve or may be of interest to UCalgary campus community members. | |
Updated Strategic Plan for the Centre on Aging
The Centre’s recent move back to UCalgary’s Foothills Campus has strengthened our integration into the University’s research and education ecosystem focused on aging. It has also allowed us to build closer connections with other UCalgary institutes and programs. In response to this shift, we have updated our strategic plan. Our continued priorities include enhancing age inclusivity at UCalgary and beyond, and advancing transdisciplinary research that addresses the complex challenges of aging. We are also committed to enhancing our organizational culture and operations to support broad, university-wide growth in the field of aging.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with the Centre. We look forward to working together to achieve our strategic goals.
| | Cultural Identity on the Menu: Enhancing Mealtime Practices in Long-Term and Residential Care Facilities | | Older adults in long-term and residential care facilities often encounter difficulties accessing culturally inclusive mealtime practices that reflect their diverse backgrounds. In response to this issue, a team from the UCalgary Centre on Aging—led by Erin Davis (Research Coordinator) and Prangad Gupta (Student Research Assistant)—conducted a comprehensive scoping review to examine the current state of culturally diverse mealtime routines and menu options in these settings. | | | |
The scoping review, which involved an in-depth analysis of 42 literature sources, identified several key barriers that hinder the adoption of person-centred care during mealtimes. These barriers include rigid meal schedules, insufficient staff training, and budget constraints. The review also highlighted several promising practices, such as implementing flexible mealtime schedules, providing staff training on cultural food preparation, and establishing partnerships with cultural organizations.
Building on these findings, the review offers a number of recommendations to promote more culturally inclusive mealtime practices in long-term and residential care settings. These include actively involving families and communities in meal planning, increasing funding for culturally appropriate ingredients, and adopting flexible policies to support diverse dietary needs. In addition to the literature-based recommendations, the review emphasizes the need for broader systemic change to ensure culturally responsive care is embedded in everyday practice. To support implementation, the research team developed an infographic that outlines practical, actionable strategies for care facilities.
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June 1, 2025
Preventing urinary tract infections after menopause: What every woman should know
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May 23, 2025
Expansion funding identifies cause of sex-dependent vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease
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May 16, 2025
Calgary researcher says robot friends are key to solving senior loneliness
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April 1, 2025
UCalgary researchers find important clues contributing to Alzheimer's disease
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August 2025 SSHRC Connection Grant
RSO internal deadline: July 18, 2025
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New Frontiers in Research Fund: Exploration 2025
RSO internal deadline: August 12, 2025
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| | Visit the UCalgary database for more research funding opportunities: | | | |
Alzheimer's Association International Conference
July 27-31, 2025 | Toronto, ON
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Building Resilience and Innovative Solutions: Amplifying Impact and Advancing Positive Global Public Health Change
July 28-30, 2025 | Calgary, AB
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Calgary breaks ground on first-ever park for seniors with dementia in Canada
May 29, 2025
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WHO member states recognize social connection as a global health priority
May 24, 2025
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McGill researchers highlight disparities in 'aging in place'
May 12, 2025
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What prevents Canadians from aging in place
May 12, 2025
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Canada's population is aging, Where is everyone going to live?
May 12, 2025
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This space is designed to help seniors and older adults age comfortably in their home
May 10, 2025
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The urgency, opportunity, and optimism of aging in Canada
May 10, 2025
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Local seniors network launched to ease loneliness for elder immigrant Calgarians
April 23, 2025
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Join the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) Science Collaborative
The CABHI Science Collaborative provides free opportunities for scientists, researchers, and trainees to complement and expand their skill set in innovation and confidently engage with a community of innovators, non-academic sectors (e.g., industry partners), and other diverse stakeholder groups.
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WHO Releases New Ageism Scale
The WHO Ageism Scale is a comprehensive, psychometrically validated tool developed by the World Health Organization to measure ageism across all age groups. It assesses ageism from both the perspective of the individual experiencing it and the one perpetrating it, encompassing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in diverse cultural contexts.
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E-Learning Program: National Dementia Guidelines
The Alzheimer Society of Canada is offering an e-learning program for healthcare providers related to the National Dementia Guidelines on "disclosing and communicating a diagnosis of dementia." This program includes eight modules, a complimentary microlearning course, and two culturally relevant video series. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
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| | News to share? We would love to learn about your research, an award you received, a grant you received, or an event you are attending. Please send us your content! | | | |
The Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging is an interdisciplinary, cross-faculty hub at the University of Calgary, with a mission to foster innovations that improve the health and well-being of older adults by catalyzing connections and collaborations through research and education. Our vision is to achieve optimal health and well-being for older adults.
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
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