CABHI awards Fellowships to 9 emerging researchers, turning aging and brain health research into real-world impact

Ezinne’s project focuses on developing a Canada-specific policy brief for knowledge mobilization on cognitive ability in older persons, backed by new elements identified through her research. The brief will translate this finding into practical recommendations that can improve the care of older persons.

Lily’s project aims to develop a toolkit to address the ethical considerations of hospital staff using Virtual Reality (VR) to support older persons living with dementia, helping staff meet the complex needs of this population while reducing potential harm and promoting ethical care.

Isabella’s project focuses on developing an integrated care delirium-prevention toolkit for family caregivers of acute care patients living with dementia.

Jiangning’s project is a gamified mobile training prototype based on person-centred care (PCC) to support caregivers in translating PCC principles into daily practice.

Joey’s project aims to develop a Virtual Reality (VR) dementia care education toolkit through a participatory approach guided by an advisory group of people living with dementia, family partners, and a nursing educator, ensuring materials are ethically grounded in authentic, culturally diverse lived experiences.

Saiful’s project develops a digital storytelling series and interactive workshops focused on thermoregulating smart garments and offers community workshops where end-users, caregivers, and physicians can physically experience smart textiles and participate in co-creation feedback sessions.

Peace’s project aims to co-develop and mobilize culturally grounded, evidence-informed strategies that improve the equitable adoption and sustained use of digital aids among homebound Black older persons. This will be completed by translating research evidence and lived experiences into actionable, community outputs, including an intervention-mapped infographic, a digital storytelling compilation, and a co-designed policy brief to guide healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers in addressing barriers and strengthening facilitators to digital technology use.

Sagnik’s project uses real-time location system (RTLS) data in long-term care homes to analyze residents’ movement and rest-activity rhythms, creating interpretable, clinically meaningful profiles displayed in a dashboard format that will help professionals identify changes that may indicate deterioration or improvement.  

Yi-Ting’s project will translate research findings into accessible, story-based knowledge mobilization outputs that support the ethical, person-centred use of conversational artificial intelligence in dementia care. These outputs will bridge research and practice by enhancing understanding among caregivers, families, and practitioners of how digital companions can foster social connection, dignity, and well-being in long-term care settings.