SFU Gerontology

09/04/2026

Andrew Wister highlights the importance of funding for community-based seniors’ centres and the vital role they play in connecting with older adults, including those who are marginalized.

The Connect!Âge project is working directly with community organizations in BC and Quebec to better understand the challenges they face and co-develop resources and supports to strengthen their capacity to reach and connect with older adults.

Full podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-we-can-protect-our-canadian-seniors-and-those/id6806918438?i=1000787286597

09/03/2026

A new report from Mei Fang and her research team "Exploring the Role of Seniors Centres within the Primary Healthcare System," looks at opportunities, barriers, and enabling factors associated with strengthening connections between seniors centres and primary healthcare.

Read more: https://www.sfu.ca/starinstitute/resources/aging-and-technology-publications.html

09/02/2026

The AGE-WELL AgeTech Discovery Day will take place on October 1, 2026, to mark National Seniors Day, with technology awareness events in nine locations across seven provinces and virtually, focused on AgeTech innovations that support aging in place and healthy aging.

These free events will help older adults and caregivers discover innovations that can enhance independence, health and quality of life, while creating opportunities to learn about and participate in research.

Register for Vancouver's AGE-WELL AgeTech Discovery Day: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/age-well-agetech-discovery-day-vancouver-bc-tickets-1997914898243?aff=oddtdtcreator

SFU Urban Studies

08/27/2026

Yesterday, Habib Chaudhury met with the Secretary of State for Seniors, Stephanie McLean to discuss priorities for the National Seniors Council (NSC).

“I am pleased to have recently joined the NSC as a member. We had a productive discussion to identify priority areas to support older Canadians, including housing affordability, innovative congregate housing options, and financial security, that the NSC could focus on in the coming months.”

The conversation provided valuable insight to help guide the NSC's work in the months ahead.

08/26/2026

A new publication on the midlife clock explores how our middle years are shaped by our social clocks—not simply our age.

Read more:

Heightened awareness of having limited time left in life can spur people to become masters of their lime, or leave them feeling stuck or stifled with anxiety.

08/24/2026

“Older adults are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat because of a combination of physical, social and economic factors,” says Theresa Pauly, principal investigator of the Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults' Preparedness for Extreme Heat (COPE) project and Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health and Aging.

Understanding those risks, and developing practical, community-centred solutions is the focus of COPE.

Read more:

Led in part by SFU, COPE aims to help older adults better prepare for and respond to extreme heat. The project is part of SFU Climate Innovation, a critical research priority that supports a community-centred response to the impacts of climate change.

08/21/2026

08/18/2026

We are happy to welcome Lun Li, the newest assistant professor in the SFU Department of Gerontology!

In our Q&A, Li shares more about his background, research, and advice for students interested in pursuing gerontology.

Read more: https://www.sfu.ca/gerontology/news-events/faculty/new-faculty-lun-li.html

08/05/2026

Congratulations to postdoctoral fellows Boah Kim and Mohammadjavad Nouri on each receiving a Michael Smith Health Research BC 2026 Impact Pathways: Engage Award for their respective projects!

The Engage Award helps researchers and community partners come together to share ideas, identify important challenges, and explore new ways to work together on solutions.

We look forward to seeing their projects grow! 👏

Simon Fraser University