The Opportunity

As the global population ages, there is a growing need for innovative approaches to support the independence and well-being of older adults. Aging in place has been identified as a key strategy in this regard, but achieving it requires addressing numerous challenges, including health care access, home safety, and social connectivity. This project leverages innovative solutions to overcome these challenges, ensuring older adults can enjoy a high quality of life in their familiar environment. 

In Alberta, the aging population is rising rapidly. Between 2013 and 2023, the proportion of seniors (65 and older) increased from 12% to 16% of the total population. By 2051, it is projected that one in five Albertans will be a senior. Today’s seniors are living longer, healthier lives, contributing significantly to their communities through volunteering and civic engagement. (source)

However, with the increase in the senior population, there are growing concerns about the adequacy of health and social supports to meet their needs. Issues such as access to health care, home safety, financial security, and maintaining social connections are critical to ensuring the well-being of older adults. Proactive planning and innovative solutions are essential to address these challenges before they escalate.

Project Overview

The Alberta Age Smart Home Care Project redefines aging in place by leveraging innovative solutions to help older adults live independently, safely, and comfortably at home. As Canada’s population ages, the healthcare system faces increasing pressure, making innovative and sustainable care models more critical. This initiative, a strategic partnership between Health Cities, Infinity Healthcare, and PIER Technology Consulting, implements solutions tailored to the needs of the aging population. 

In 2022, The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) and Health Cities launched the HealthTech Home Pilot Project to create a sandbox environment of consumer technology and innovative health solutions within a BSF-owned condo unit. While the HealthTech Home Pilot focused on a single individual in a supported living environment, the Age Smart Home Care Project expands to include multiple participants living in their own residences, receiving some level of home care support from Infinity Healthcare. This broader scope enables the implementation of more diverse technologies to support individual needs and improves understanding of how technology integration fits into existing home care provider processes to enhance client care. 

“We at Infinity Healthcare are thrilled to be part of this innovative project aimed at leveraging technology to empower older adults to age in place. By easing caregiver burden, enhancing safety through small home modifications, and emphasizing the comfort and security of living at home, we’re not just improving lives but also reducing strain on the healthcare system. At Infinity Healthcare, we firmly believe that the safest and most comfortable place for seniors is always within the familiar walls of their own home.” Izabella Roth, CEO, Infinity Healthcare 

The goal of this project is to build a modern and sustainable home care framework that enhances safety and independence for seniors, reducing the need for hospital admissions and long-term care placements. It will also establish evidence-based best practices for integrating technology into aging in place strategies and design a scalable model that can be adapted to diverse settings. 

In addition to improving outcomes for seniors and reducing strain on the healthcare system, this project showcases a novel approach to supporting aging populations. It highlights the potential of technology to enhance seniors’ quality of life and offers significant insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers in creating future technology-integrated home care solutions. 

“We are thrilled to be part of an initiative that creates a measurable impact in enabling aging in place. Our team is dedicated to using readily available technology solutions to build a compassionate and empathetic future, where independence and quality of life for seniors are prioritized. By collaborating with like-minded teams and directly engaging with those who will benefit from these technologies, we hope to make aging in place a sustainable and commonplace reality.” Darryl Coggles, CEO, PIER Technology Consulting 

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Meet the Partners

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Health Cities

Health Cities is an independent Canadian not-for-profit corporation that works with clinicians, innovators, philanthropic organizations, and companies to create environments and relationships for change in primary care and health data. We help inform decision-making and drive the delivery of new technologies and innovative solutions into our health system.  

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Infinity Health

At Infinity Healthcare, we understand the importance of receiving exceptional care in the comfort of your own home. We're a team of dedicated caregivers passionate about providing compassionate and reliable in-home care services to clients throughout Edmonton and surrounding areas in Alberta. Our comprehensive range of services includes home support, personal care, nursing care, and specialized dementia care. Whether you, or your loved one, require assistance with daily living activities, medication management, or companionship, our team of qualified and compassionate caregivers is here to support you every step of the way.

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Pier Technology Consulting

Our Team is a unique one; we prioritize being consultants first and technology integrators second – this fact truly sets us apart. The PIERTEC approach is to properly understand your challenges before exploring how technology can enable effective change.

Our approach centers on aligning your goals with IT solutions that make sense. We believe that your should drive IT investments, not the other way around. We wish to understand your business and people to a degree where we are accepted as part of the fabric of your culture – our goal is simple: for our Team to become your Team.

Explore the Technologies

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FEPSim

Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy System from KarMed

“KarMed is eager to learn more about the needs of our older population, relating to rehab. FEPSim helps increase grip strength and this is directly correlated to frailty. We’re seeing more and more applications to deploy FEPSim within our local ecosystem and can’t wait to see what else we’re able to accomplish.”

Alberta Age Smart Project participant, Louise, learns about the FEPSim system with the KarMed team. 

 
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Voiced Memories

Voiced Memories™ is a digital platform that enhances reminiscence, cognitive stimulation, and social connection by combining photos with personal voice recordings

“We’re excited to explore how Voiced Memories™ enhances aging in place, promotes reminiscence, and social connections for those living in their private residences. This collaboration marks an important step toward creating accessible, innovative solutions that strengthen relationships, reduce isolation, and support meaningful engagement in our community.”

A glimpse of the Voiced Memories™ gallery interface.

 
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WeCare Dynamics

WeCare Dynamics is a cloud-based health service dedicated to providing continuous health monitoring and comprehensive wellness promotion. Their advanced technology ensures uninterrupted care, empowering individuals to live healthier, safer, and more independent lives.

“After receiving valuable acceleration supports from Edmonton Unlimited’s Alberta Catalyzer: Velocity Program, we're excited to now partner with Health Cities to take the next critical step toward integrating our innovation into the health system. Health Cities' expertise in connecting innovative technology with end users is crucial in helping us validate our solution and gather valuable real-world feedback as we move forward.”

A preview of the WeCare Dynamics Cloud technology.

 

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