National Institute on Ageing

09/28/2026

🌟 Canadian students making a difference in the field of ageing: We want to recognize you! Apply for the 2026 Canadian Leadership in Ageing Awards presented by the NIA and Entente Education Canada - formerly Rtoero for a chance to win $1,000.

https://niageing.ca/awards/canadian-leadership-in-ageing-awards/

09/28/2026

🩺 Primary care providers play a critical role in dementia diagnosis and care.

Among people diagnosed with dementia in community settings, 83% receive their diagnosis from a primary care provider.

Yet many providers report needing more support:
🔹 42% said they needed much more training to feel comfortable making a dementia diagnosis
🔹 Another 21% said they needed a moderate amount of additional training
🔹 60% of primary care providers report limited confidence in their ability to diagnose and manage dementia

Providers also face limited time, inadequate access to specialists and limited knowledge of available community supports.

The NIA is calling for care providers to be better supported and empowered to adopt best practices across the continuum of dementia care.

🔗 Read the full report here: https://niageing.ca/reports/addressing-dementia-in-canada-the-current-state-challenges-and-opportunities-for-improving-care-for-people-living-with-dementia/

09/25/2026

La conférence annuelle d’AGE‑WELL 2026 approche à grands pas! 🙌 Cet événement, qui aura lieu les 2 au 4 octobre à Ottawa, offrira des occasions d’entendre des chefs de file de la recherche, de l’industrie et de la communauté, d’assister à des démonstrations et de voir des expositions novatrices et plus encore! Joignez-vous à nous : https://agewell-nce.ca/fr/conference-dage-well

09/25/2026

The 2026 AGE-WELL Annual Conference is fast approaching! 🙌 Taking place Nov 2-4 in Ottawa, this event will feature opportunities to hear from research, industry and community leaders, explore innovative demos and exhibits, and much more! Join us by registering today: https://agewell-nce.ca/conference

09/24/2026

📢📘🌟 NEW REPORT! The NIA has released the second report in its three-year series examining the state of dementia in Canada.

Addressing Dementia in Canada: The Current State, Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Care for People Living with Dementia examines dementia care from diagnosis through to end-of-life.

The report highlights:
🔹 An estimated 772,000 Canadians are living with dementia, though the true number may be significantly higher
🔹 Up to 2 million people could currently be living with dementia in Canada when undiagnosed cases are considered

The NIA calls for:
✅ National dementia care standards
✅ Better support for care providers
✅ More equitable and culturally safe care
✅ Common metrics to measure progress

📖 Read the full report here: https://niageing.ca/reports/addressing-dementia-in-canada-the-current-state-challenges-and-opportunities-for-improving-care-for-people-living-with-dementia/

09/23/2026

🔍Vous vous inquiétez des changements que vous constatez au niveau de votre mémoire?

🔹Remarquer des changements au niveau de votre mémoire ou de votre pensée peut être déstabilisant. Ces changements ne sont pas toujours le signe d’une démence et peuvent avoir de nombreuses causes possibles, dont certaines peuvent être temporaires ou traitables.
🔹Soyez attentifs à ce que vous vivez, notez ces changements et envisagez de consulter un professionnel de la santé si vous avez des inquiétudes.
🔹Obtenir davantage d'informations peut vous aider à réduire votre incertitude et vous donner une idée plus claire de la marche à suivre.

Vous n’avez pas à faire face seul(e) à la perte de mémoire. Visitez petitspasgrandsresultats.ca

09/23/2026

🔍Worried about changes in your memory?

🔹Noticing changes in your own memory or thinking can feel unsettling. These changes do not always mean dementia and can have many possible causes, including some that may be temporary or treatable.
🔹Pay attention to what you are experiencing, keep track of changes and consider speaking with a health care provider if you are concerned.
🔹Getting more information can help reduce uncertainty and give you a clearer idea of what to do next.

You don’t have to face memory loss alone. Go to smallstepsbigdifference.ca.

09/23/2026

The NIA has released its latest pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance in advance of Budget 2026.

The submission outlines seven recommendations to help ensure Canada’s policies and programs better support the needs of our ageing population. The NIA recommends the federal government:

1. Modernize the Canadian Pension Plan to include a Pension Delay Guarantee.
2. Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement earnings exemption to $10,000 per year and index it to inflation.
3. Reform the Disability Tax Credit eligibility process to ensure timely and equitable access to federal support.
4. Transform the Canada Caregiver Credit (CCC) into a refundable benefit.
5. Engage in a consultative process to strengthen the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
6. Adopt a risk‑based approach to AI regulation that ensures essential systems are safe, transparent, accessible, and free from age‑related bias.
7. Uphold the human rights of older adults by fully participating in and supporting the proposed United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

Together, these recommendations address financial security, disability supports, caregiving, community-based services, responsible AI and the human rights of older adults.

Read the NIA’s full Pre-Budget Submission to learn more about these recommendations and the evidence behind them

The NIA has released its latest pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance in advance of Budget 2026. The submission outlines seven recommendations to help ensure Canada’s policies and programs better support the needs of our ageing population. The NIA recommends the federal government: ...

09/23/2026

Defy Dementia™ Episode 40: Let’s Dance

Dance is more than movement. It brings together physical activity, social connection and cognitive engagement.

In this episode, Defy Dementia™ explores how dance can benefit people of all ages and abilities. We join a dance class at Canada’s National Ballet School with Michael Farewell, a community-dwelling older adult dancer. Then Dr. Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, shares insights into the growing evidence behind dance and healthy aging.

Whether in a studio, community centre or living room, there’s no right or wrong way to dance. Making dance a regular part of your life can benefit your overall wellness and remember… dance like no one is watching.

Tune in at defydementia.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Baycrest

09/22/2026

🎉 Thank you for celebrating 10 years of the National Institute on Ageing with us!

It was wonderful to bring together so many friends, colleagues, partners, supporters and members of the NIA community to reflect on a decade of impact — and, importantly, to look ahead to the future of ageing in Canada.

Over the past 10 years, the NIA has grown from an ambitious idea into a national institute working to improve the lives of older Canadians through research, policy, collaboration and public education.

None of this work happens alone.

To our current and former staff, fellows, Advisory Board members, researchers, collaborators, donors, funders and partners — thank you for helping build the NIA and for being part of our story.

And thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online, shared your perspectives and helped us think about what Canada needs to do differently over the next decade.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together — and excited about what comes next.

Here’s to the next 10 years.