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.
Established in 2011 through a $5 million gift from The Brenda Strafford Foundation, the Centre on Aging at the University of Calgary (formerly the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging) was created to address the complexities of population aging.
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 contributes to the development of policies and practices that affect older adults.