ARCHIVED - Aging - Your Health Research Dollars at Work 2006-2007

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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. Through CIHR, the Government of Canada invested more than $85.4 million in 2006-07 across Canada in aging-related research.

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The Facts

• Between 1981 and 2005, the number of Canadians over the age of 65 increased from 2.4 million to 4.2 million. This number is projected to rise to 8 million over the next two decades.

• By 2056, an estimated one in ten Canadians will be 80 years or over, compared with about one in 30 in 2005.

• Life expectancy in 2004 hit a record high of 80.2 years - 82.6 for women and 77.8 for men.

• In 2003, 73% of seniors reported that their health was excellent, very good or good.

• Cancer and heart disease remain the leading causes of death among seniors, while arthritis/rheumatism and high blood pressure remain the most prevalent chronic conditions.

• Income and education can affect health. Healthy Canadians over the age of 50 with higher incomes and higher levels of education are less likely to see their health deteriorate over a two-year period, compared to those with similar health status but lower incomes or less education.

Finding Solutions

New product helps seniors stay on their feet

Falling is a real and dangerous risk for seniors, leading to broken bones and an end to independent living. Dr. Stephen Perry of Wilfred Laurier University has recently translated his basic research on human movement into a product that may prevent these falls and, in doing so, save many seniors' lives. As we age, we often lose sensation in our feet, making it difficult to stay balanced. With the help of CIHR funding, Dr. Perry and his colleagues have developed a simple and inexpensive special shoe insole called the Sole Sensor^TM. The insole has a slight ridge along its outer edge that alerts seniors when they are losing their balance. This device promises to reduce the frequency of fall-related injuries. The Sole Sensor^TM will be available from Ontario-based Hart Mobility in 2007.

Fear of falling

Sometimes, being afraid of something really does make it come true. CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose at the University of British Columbia is studying how cognitive impairment and fear of falling affect actual risk of falling in the elderly. In a recent study, Dr. Ambrose found that elderly women who perceived a high risk of falling in fact performed badly on tests that measure balance and mobility. This finding could help doctors and other care providers identify older individuals who are most likely to suffer an injury due to a fall.

How are you aging?

Everyone ages differently and knowing how you are aging can help you make decisions about your health. CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Arnold Mitnitski of Dalhousie University has developed a mathematical model to predict how your health will change as you get older. Dr. Mitnitski and his colleagues have found that by measuring the number of health "deficits" an elderly person has, they can calculate his or her "biological" age, in effect, the estimated remaining lifespan of different body parts and components. They tested the mathematical model by studying the health of a large group of seniors over a five-year period. Doctors could someday use this type of model to help their patients avoid disease and maintain their quality of life as they age.

The Researchers

Dr. Janice Keefe - Learning about caring for others

It's no secret that Canada's population is getting older. What's less well understood is how we're going to provide care for everyone in need, says CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Janice Keefe of Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Work by Dr. Keefe is giving policy-makers the help they need to make informed decisions about providing care for the elderly.

For example, previous projections about caregiving needs looked only at two factors, age and gender. Dr. Keefe's research examines other factors that create demand for caregiving and have an impact on the supply of caregivers.

"You have to look more at disability, what levels of disability there may be and what this will mean in usage of the system," she points out. A disability can create a need for help, such as cooking or housework. Dr. Keefe's team is learning from seniors, collecting information on their mobility, learning ability, pain and dexterity, all of which will influence the type and extent of assistance required.

And then there's the boomer factor. Boomers will want and expect support, such as new workplace policies to help them provide informal caregiving to family members. In addition, there will be fewer informal caregivers. "Boomers are more likely to divorce and have fewer children than previous generations," Dr. Keefe notes. "Boomers say, 'My friends will take care of me,' but the fact is that their friends may all be in the same situation."

Ultimately, Dr. Keefe is looking for ways to provide the best care for everyone in the future. "With the work we're doing, we'll be able to come up with real evidence about strategies policy-makers can use to ensure that the informal network is supported but also that new formal caregivers are trained and hired," she concludes.

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About CIHR

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
160 Elgin St., 9th Floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/