Plenary 1
Tuesday 26 August at 1:45PM
Mobility and Healthy Aging: Navigating the Challenges of an Aging Global Population
In 2024, the global population aged 65 and older was 771 million – a number expected to increase to approximately two billion by 2050. For the first time in Canada’s history, those aged 65 and over outnumbered those aged 15 and under. At the same time, we are witnessing a global shift in the causes of death and illness, moving from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases. This transition has contributed to longer life expectancy globally, but unfortunately, many of these extra years are spent in poor health. These trends are placing significant strain on health and social systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy aging as the process of developing and maintaining the functional abilities that enable well-being in older age. A key factor in achieving this is mobility—the ability to move, walk, and use transportation both within our homes and in the community. Experts in aging increasingly consider mobility as the “sixth vital sign” and a fundamental element of healthy aging. This session will explore global aging patterns and emphasize mobility as a key indicator of a healthy lifespan, while also introducing the concept of "Design Thinking" as a tool to foster innovative research questions in aging science.
Plenary 2
Tuesday 26 August at 3:15PM
ACE-ing the Aging Journey: Addressing Childhood Adversity’s Influence on Health Across the Life Course
Join our interactive World Café experience! Explore how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape health and well-being throughout the life course, with a focus on their impact on aging outcomes. Renowned experts will discuss the cumulative influence of ACEs on trajectories of physical and mental health, emphasizing the intersection of ACEs with key sociodemographic factors such as gender, education, and socioeconomic status. Participants will engage in a World Café discussion format that will generate actionable insights into clinical, public health, and research strategies to mitigate the effects of ACEs, promote resilience, and support healthy aging. Together, we will reflect on prevention, intervention, and the meaning of ACE scores in practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address the lasting impacts of early-life adversity.
Plenary 3
Wednesday 27 August at 09:00AM
Education That Ages Well
Is an education idea ageless or antiquated? In this engaging talk-show format, an education scientist, clinician educator, and health professions learner join the host to discuss and debate the best before dates of three education ideas: one to save, one to scrap, and one to sample. Join the live studio audience to have your say!
Innovative Pedagogies in Dementia Education
Hear from the experts as they explore cutting-edge approaches to dementia education across health sciences. Featuring 3-4 short presentations, experts will share strategies for integrating dementia topics into curricula for nursing, medical education, and rehab sciences. The session will highlight innovative teaching methods such as problem-based learning (PBL), e-learning, and experiential approaches, and discuss the role of community and clinical partnerships in enhancing dementia care education. The session will conclude with a panel discussion addressing key challenges, solutions, and emerging trends in dementia education, providing participants with valuable insights to inform curriculum design and student engagement in this crucial field.
Plenary 4
Wednesday 27 August at 3:15PM
The Perils of Being Born in the Fall
Born in September? This scientist and professor has got bad news for you. Spend an hour of edu-tainment touring through the wackiness of early 19th century psychiatry, stealth mid-century reproductive rights activism, the climate/pregnancy connection and in the end, you’ll learn why cold & flu season has an outsize impact on mental health. You might laugh but you’ll definitely learn. This show is a fun mix of education and entertainment, and you are guaranteed to leave with fun facts to share with your family and friends.
Plenary 5
Thursday 28 August at 2:00PM