Multiple Generations

Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging

Our Values

Inclusivity

Working with compassion, integrity, and humility to promote an age-positive and age-inclusive culture guided by the needs and interests of diverse older adults.

Collaboration

Establishing intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral partnerships to build capacity in research and education in the field of aging. 

Innovation

Developing and translating evidence on age-inclusive technologies, environments, practices, and policies to improve the health and well-being of older adults, in a sustainable manner. 

Leadership

Being recognized as a valuable hub within our institution, our community, and beyond for catalyzing connections and advancing innovations to better serve the older adult population. 

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. 
Doctor stands holding a clipboard talking to an older patient and their daughter

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

Recent News