AGE-WELL Knowledge Hubs and Affiliated Start-ups

AGE-WELL NCE is Canada’s technology and aging network. We are dedicated to the creation of technologies and services that benefit older adults and caregivers. Our aim is to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life through technologies and services that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation. Our mission is to continue developing a community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partners and future leaders that accelerates the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. We’re training the next generation of innovators in this field, and making Canada a world leader in technologies that help aging populations everywhere. AGE-WELL’s services include commercialization, knowledge mobilization, training and more.   AGE-WELL’s National Innovation Hubs The mission of AGE-WELL National Innovation Hubs is to engage a range of stakeholders in a specific location to advance innovation and adoption of technology-based solutions, policies and practices for healthy aging. Using dedicated infrastructure and expertise at the local level, AGE-WELL hubs are places where industry, community, government, researchers, end users and others can interact and generate new ideas together. The aim is to foster more efficient development, testing and delivery to market of products and services that will benefit older people and caregivers across Canada. AGE-WELL has four National Innovation Hubs: 1. APPTA National Innovation Hub: The Advancing Policies and Practices in Technology and Aging (APPTA) hub is putting innovative aging and technology research into the hands of federal, provincial, and territorial policy and government partners. The hub is in Fredericton, NB, and brings together diverse stakeholders to discuss evidence briefs and engage in policy innovation labs. Website: https://agewell-nih-appta.ca/ 2. SAM³ National Innovation Hub: The Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM³) hub focuses on smart technologies that monitor older adults and their well-being –to keep them as healthy, safe and independent as possible. Based in Ottawa, ON, the hub brings together health professionals, researchers, industry, non-profits and older adults and caregivers who will benefit from such systems in their everyday lives. Website: http://agewell-nih-sam3.ca/ 3. Digital Health Circle National Innovation Hub: The Digital Health Circle hub offers unique support for the creation of innovative digital health technologies. The hub is in Surrey, BC, and uses scientific expertise and cutting-edge tools to help innovators create solutions that meet the needs of diverse healthcare stakeholders. The hub’s goal is to empower partners and older adults in generating solutions that support independence and quality care. Website: https://www.digitalhealthcircle.ca/ 4. CTAAN National Innovation Hub: The Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN) launched in fall, 2020. CTAAN’s programs will streamline the process for the adoption of technology that enhances the lives of those aging in northern and rural communities in Canada. The hub is based in Prince George, BC. Website: https://www.ctaan.ca/     AGE-WELL-Affiliated CBSS Startups Amintro: Amintro is a social platform exclusively for people 50 plus and fosters friendships, shared experiences and knowledge as a means for reducing social isolation. Non-romantic connections in combination with educational and enlightening articles and videos on products, services and resources that support healthy aging enable individuals to explore opportunities and perhaps make alternative choices as they age.COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem of social isolation for older adults. The Amintro platform and companion apps (available on Google Play and the App Store) were developed prior to COVID-19 and designed to make online connections as well as in-person connections at a local level which results in Canadians being able to expand their social circles safely online during the pandemic with the goal of in-person meetings once it’s deemed safe to do so post-pandemic. While a vaccine will eventually help to alleviate social isolation for those impacted by COVID-19, it will not be a solution for older adults who were experiencing social isolation as a result of circumstances unrelated to the pandemic. Amintro can help. Amintro is an AGE-WELL startup affiliate. For more information on Amintro, visit: https://amintro.com/ [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvoXsQWRIdo&ab_channel=AGE-WELLNCE[/embed]   FamliNet: FamliNet, an AGE-WELL startup, provides essential software infrastructure for family caregivers and community service organizations to help aging adults live at home. Over 50 million family caregivers and community volunteers in North America contribute billions of dollars of unpaid labour supporting aging adults’ daily living and quality of life, keeping them independent and out of the clinical healthcare system. FamliNet care coordination software includes features to:

• Recruit and coordinate family care circles and take pressure off primary caregivers,
• Simplify online access to core services such as transportation, prescriptions, groceries, shopping, meal deliveries, even innovative shared online fitness sessions with family members or volunteers,
• Schedule daily activity reminders as well as appointments and medications,
• Deliver music, games and news in multiple languages, as time-filling activities that open up respite time for caregivers,
• Enable simplified “one click” video chat between seniors and caregivers,
• Reinforce family memories for the memory impaired,
• Provide universal accessibility to diverse language groups, and overcome hearing, vision and physical challenges with automated transcription, translation, and text-to-speech of all messages.

For more information on FamliNet, visit https://www.famlinet.com/ or contact cs@famli.net. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK9leozAwBw&ab_channel=AGE-WELLNCE[/embed]

For more on AGE-WELL, visit: https://agewell-nce.ca/