Action Plan & Projects
In 2022–23, the Centre on Aging conducted a baseline assessment of UCalgary's age-friendliness. The findings revealed that the University is moderately age-friendly, but many students, faculty, and staff do not perceive it that way. Work is needed to create a truly inclusive environment where people of all ages can learn, work, and thrive.
To guide this progress, the Centre developed an action plan with 10 goals. These goals address the gaps identified in the assessment and focus on increasing understanding about aging and age-inclusivity, improving programs and services for age-diverse campus community members, and fostering a multigenerational campus culture.
Explore the key findings and how they align with the goals in our infographics below.
Zimmer, C., Goerzen, M., Hogan, D. B., & Toohey, A. M. (2024). An environmental scan of methods for assessing age-friendliness in post-secondary institutions. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 45(1), 38–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2022.2143358
Zimmer, C., Morrison, L., Goerzen, M., Hogan, D. B., Toohey, A. M., Hewson, J., McDonough, M. H., & McGhan, G. (2025). Using the age-friendly inventory and campus climate survey at a Canadian university: Process and outcomes. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2025.2470471
Ten Goals of the Action Plan
UCalgary is putting these goals into action. Below are examples of projects that are helping us become a more age-friendly university.
This project is exploring aging-related topics being taught in both healthcare and non-healthcare undergraduate programs at UCalgary.
This project is identifying effective ways to engage older adults living with frailty in research.