Innovation Themes


At CABHI, we envision a world in which people can age in the setting of their choice, maintaining their cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being as well as their independence for as long as possible. Each innovation project receiving funding from CABHI aligns with one or more of our targeted Innovation Themes, and works to realize this vision.

Our Core Themes address the major categories of solutions that promote healthy aging. Our Cross-Cutting Themes address intersectional priorities that should be considered and integrated across all emergent solutions.

Our Innovation Themes are reassessed on a regular basis to ensure they target ongoing and emerging needs of older adults and caregivers.

Core Themes:

  • Aging at Home. Enabling older adults and people living with dementia to live in the setting of their choice and remain active in their communities for as long as possible.
  • Caregiver Support. Aiding or simplifying day-to-day caregiving responsibilities, providing education or training on caregiving topics, or helping caregivers maintain their own well-being while they care for older adults and people living with dementia.
  • Care Coordination and Navigation. Helping older adults and people living with dementia and their caregivers navigate the healthcare system to access timely and appropriate care, while also supporting healthcare providers to align their practice with long-term care standards.
  • Cognitive and Mental Health. Ensuring early detection of cognitive impairment or dementia in older adults; implementing preventative care approaches to maintain or enhance older adults’ brain health, including both cognitive and mental health supports; protecting the cognitive and mental health of seniors care and/or dementia healthcare providers and caregivers.
  • Financial Health and Wellness. Helping older adults remain financially independent, stay safe in the workforce longer, seek later-life employment, prepare for retirement, plan for financing care, and prevent financial exploitation.

Cross-Cutting Themes:

  • Diversity, Accessibility, and Health Equity. Ensuring aging and brain health needs are addressed, and solutions are accessible, for Indigenous, Black, or racially and culturally diverse communities; women; people living with disabilities; members of the LGBTQ2+ community; rural or Northern communities; or other vulnerable populations; and including issues of intersectionality.
  • Promoting Social Inclusion and Preventing Stigma and Elder Abuse. Creating opportunities and programs for enhanced engagement and social connection for older adults, including intergenerational programs, to combat ageism and stigma and support strong cognitive and mental health in older adults. Protecting older adults, particularly those living with cognitive decline and dementia, against elder abuse and other unsafe relationships.