About Us
The global population has been steadily aging since the late 19th century, driven by declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. Although some countries are aging faster than others, nearly every nation has seen growth in both the number and proportion of people aged 65 and older. In Canada, older adults made up just over 1 in 8 people at the start of the 21st century—a figure that has continued to rise. This demographic shift presents both opportunities and challenges, prompting many post-secondary institutions to develop programs focused on aging.
The Centre on Aging was established at the University of Calgary in 2011 through a generous $5 million gift from The Brenda Strafford Foundation. This financial support provided by Dr. Barrie Strafford, founder of the Foundation, enabled the creation of the Centre in recognition of his late wife’s legacy and commitment to improving the lives of older adults. The gift supports the Centre’s work in advancing research and education to address the growing complexities of population aging.
Dr. Barrie Strafford
The Centre functions as an administrative and collaborative hub for advancing research and education aimed at supporting the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults.
Terms of Reference
Based within the O’Brien Institute for Public Health in the Cumming School of Medicine, the Centre operates as an interdisciplinary, cross-faculty resource. It connects researchers, educators, and clinicians across the University to foster innovation, expand knowledge, and strengthen workforce training in the field of aging. The Centre also engages with the broader community to share evidence-based insights and help shape policies and practices that affect older adults.