Shaping the future of aging and brain health with lived experience: Beverley Shukyn

Bev has always had a strong interest in aging and brain health. Before embarking on her journey with CABHI, she took a course at Toronto Metropolitan University centred around aging to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Canada's aging population.

The idea that Bev could play a role in bridging the gap between research and practice is what really drew her to join the Council—a place to share lived experiences that can shape innovations and make a meaningful difference in people's daily lives.

Bringing New Ideas to Life

For Bev, one of the most rewarding aspects of serving on the Council has been the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects at various stages of development.

Among the experiences that stand out most to her was being asked to contribute to the creation of Baycrest's Possibilities Program.

While volunteering on the former Seniors Advisory panel, Bev and select members were asked to work alongside a hired consultant to develop the program. Possibilities, which operates on a floor at the Baycrest Terraces, focuses on creating individualized supports for people living with Alzheimer's disease. By looking beyond traditional models of long-term care, the program explores better ways to meet each person's unique needs and preferences.

For Bev, these opportunities represent what makes co-design so valuable: bringing together researchers, innovators, care providers, and people with lived experience to create solutions that are grounded in real life.

Bev also noted that sitting on various review committees for program calls (e.g., Fuel) and judging panels for innovation competitions (e.g., NextGen Pitch Competition) has been particularly rewarding.

Bev's "Why"

Even after eight years, Bev's motivation remains deeply personal.

One issue that continues to resonate is the loss of communication abilities (e.g., aphasia) that can accompany cognitive decline: "The loss of communication abilities as people age is awful, and it's a critical area of focus," Bev remarked.

That's why innovations designed to support communication have captured Bev's attention, including technologies like communication boards and other tools that help people living with speech and cognitive challenges continue to express themselves and connect with others.

Bev views these innovations as tools to preserve dignity, independence, and meaningful relationships.

The future of innovation and co-design

As innovation in aging and brain health continues to evolve, Bev believes lived experience should be embedded throughout the entire innovation ecosystem—not only here at CABHI. By inviting people with lived experience to help shape programs, products, and services from the earliest stages, organizations can develop solutions that are more practical, more inclusive, and ultimately more impactful.

After eight years on the Council—with no end in sight—Bev continues to demonstrate the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to the innovation process.

Get involved in co-design

Feeling inspired to share your lived experiences and impact innovations? CABHI offers people with lived experiences two ways to make your mark.