Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging
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Age-Friendly University Project Grants Program
The Centre on Aging, in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Commitments, is pleased to announce the launch of the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Project Grants Program. This new funding opportunity provides grants of up to $40,000 to support faculty and staff in leading age-friendly change by developing and implementing their own AFU initiatives.
Applications open: September 8, 2025
Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Featured Research
Creating a more equitable health system: Tools and strategies to help healthcare teams communicate with people with hearing loss
Hearing loss is common among older adults but often overlooked in healthcare. Without proper support, it can lead to poor communication with healthcare providers, negatively impacting care. A research team led by Dr. Marcello Tonelli at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine is exploring how Alberta’s health system can better support people with hearing loss.
Key findings from the team’s work include:
- Prevalence and risk: Analysis of provincial data shows that at least 150,000 adults in Alberta have hearing loss. It is linked to higher risks of heart attack, stroke, depression, dementia, and long-term care placement.
- Hospital-based testing: Of 372 patients tested in medical, surgical, and hemodialysis units, nearly half had hearing loss. Those with difficulty communicating reported poorer care experiences.
- Patient and community feedback: Focus groups and surveys revealed that fewer than 1 in 4 people with hearing loss described Alberta Health Services as accessible. Respondents called for better provider training, accessible communication tools (e.g., visual aids, voice amplifiers), and formal policies to document and accommodate hearing needs.
- Screening tools: The team also evaluated hearing apps and questionnaires to assess their accuracy in identifying hearing loss in busy care environments.
This research is informing the Communication Accessible Designation, an initiative at Alberta Health Services. Facilities can earn this designation by implementing tools and training to improve communication accessibility. A pilot is underway and will expand in fall.
To learn more, download the full report.
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