CSPC 2018

Organized by: Baycrest Health Sciences/Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, Allison Sekuler

Canada, and many other countries, are aging faster than at any time in history. There now are more Canadians over 65 than under 15, and by 2030, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be 65 or older. This demographic shift will impact every aspect of our lives: from the workforce to recreation, from transportation to healthcare. The so-called silver tsunami brings with it a looming public health crisis: growing numbers of individuals with dementia and complex chronic medical issues, but a shortage of long-term care beds and other care options. It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide already live with dementia, with that number reaching 75 million by 2030. And, although the cost of dementia is immeasurable for those who suffer from the disease and their loved ones and caregivers, economists estimate the worldwide cost at US$1 trillion, rising to US$2 trillion by 2030.

But is that future inevitable, or is there a path to sustainable aging? A path to a society in which people can age in place and thrive throughout their lifetimes; a society in which aging is a process rather than an endpoint; a society in which our demographic changes lead to enhanced cultural, social, and economic prosperity for Canada. The convergence of precision medicine, technology, big data, and artificial intelligence could chart that path. Fully 70% of our economy is driven by baby-boomers, making age-related innovation a critical and growing field.  Virtual and augmented reality, assistive bots, social robots, driverless cars, connected homes, smart cities, and personalized and predictive medicine promise to transform a silver tsunami into a silver economy. However, given the size and diversity of Canada, that promise face many challenges, including concerns about data sharing and privacy; inter-regional jurisdiction of health information; cultural differences in healthcare practices; adoption, procurement, and funding of novel technologies; stigmas associated with aging; and the critical need to create a culture of longevity-innovation.

This panel brings together a diverse group of experts in aging, science and technology, innovation, healthcare practice, and policy to explore the challenges, promises, and opportunities for innovation, and to chart a path for sustainable aging in Canada.