Activity and Aging News
Western research shows influence of lifestyle factors
By
Debora Van Brenk ,Western News , December 12, 2024
Many people could greatly improve their odds against developing dementia by making four, low-cost lifestyle changes, Western researchers have discovered. In the first study of its kind, researchers at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry found about half of dementia cases in Canada can be influenced by 12 lifestyle factors.
Dementia care at home: Western researchers help design new program for care partners
By
Maggie McLellan ,Western News , November 26, 2024
Faculty of Health Sciences researchers Marie Savundranayagam and Anna Garnett helped design the McCormick Mobile study to provide in-home dementia education and training for care partners of people living with dementia.
Western researchers unlocking secrets to healthy aging
By
Jeff Renaud ,Western News , November 22, 2024
Population studies show adults over 80 are the world’s fastest growing demographic and in Canada, they are quickly outpacing other age groups. Yet, despite this surge, society is woefully unprepared in terms of health care, housing, accessibility and social programming. Enter the SuperAgers and Canada's lead SuperAging Research Initiative site located at Western.
Western Research Centre Hosts Healthy Aging Fair
By
Keri Ferguson ,Western News , November 21, 2024
CCAA Research Associate, Lindsay Nagamatsu and her team at Western host a free healthy aging fair in London. The event showcases resources and programs to support aging well. Attendees have an opportunity to explore workshops, exhibits, and gain expert insight on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Western researchers closing in on treatment for long COVID
By
Cynthia Fazio ,Western News , October 28, 2024
Two new projects funded by the Schmidt Initiative for Long COVID investigate drug treatments and patients most likely to suffer from the condition.
Exploring the Western research on aging that’s helping us live better, longer
By
Cam Buchan ,Western News , October 09, 2024
Leading researchers who are redefining what it means to get older share insights on the Catalysts podcast which features six Western researchers. Their expertise is helping people live better.
They weren’t looking for love in their 70s, but their late-in-life romance may just have prolonged their lives
By
Maria Iqbal ,Toronto Star , September 14, 2024
Research suggests love in older age can boost health by combating loneliness. Science shows loneliness leads to a higher risk for falls, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and shorter lifespans.
Dr. Kevin Shoemaker Appointed as Scientific Director
By
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging , August 29, 2024
The CCAA team and FHS leadership is delighted to announce the three-year appointment of Dr. Kevin Shoemaker as the new Scientific Director of the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging.
What are the best exercises for seniors?
By
Karla Renic ,Yahoo Life , May 30, 2024
Engaging in regular exercise can help seniors combat muscle loss and improve brain health, recent studies have shown. A Canadian expert shared his best tips on safe and effective workouts for older adults.
Beyond Brick and Mortar
November 01, 2023
CCAA-City of London Recreation exercise program participants, Desh and Ladi Malhotra, recently donated their home (designed by Desh) to Western University to host world-class scholars and visitors to the school. The couple have a long-standing connection to Western through their careers and philanthropy and as CCAA exercise program participants!
Exercise, cognitive training combo boosts mental sharpness in seniors
August 14, 2023
Western and Lawson Health Research Institute researchers, including co-author and kinesiology professor Kevin Shoemaker, have found that a combination of computerized cognitive training and aerobic-resistance exercises (such as walking and cycling along with weight training) can significantly improve cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, recognition and orientation, in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Using ‘SuperAgers’ to help unlock mysteries of the human brain
By
Todd Devlin , April 14, 2023
Angela Roberts, an assistant professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and CCAA research associate, is studying ‘SuperAgers’ to help unlock mysteries around the human brain and its aging processes.
Exploring the fruits of labour from the career of J.B. Orange
November 30, 2022
After more than three decades with the Western University family, Communication Sciences and Disorders professor J.B. Orange is retiring; the campus will be saying farewell to a highly respected researcher, teacher, mentor and friend.
Renewal wrap up 2022
November 21, 2022
This information applies to individuals with Senior Fitness Instructor certification (SFIC) that expired in 2020, 2021, or is set to expire in 2022. These instructions will help lapsed instructors reinstate their certifications if they lapsed over the pandemic years of 2020-21, or if their certifications expire before the end of 2022.
Passive exercise offers same brain health benefits as active movements: study
Western News , August 04, 2022Western-led research shows potential for rehab, long-term care application.
Life after a stroke: Family and friends provide nearly all post-hospital care, but who’s caring for the caregivers?
June 29, 2022
This new publication in The Conversation Canada, co-authored by nursing professor and CCAA Research Associate, Anna Garnett, discusses how improvements to policy and programs to support stroke caregivers and help them maintain their health and well-being are necessary.
New virtual-reality training program gets $1M EPIC boost
May 16, 2022
A unique virtual-reality (VR) program to be developed at Western has received a $1-million innovation grant from Future Skills Centre, aiming to provide personal support workers (PSWs) access to innovative communication training to help care for people living with dementia.
HIGH FIVE® CCAA May Discount
May 10, 2022
HIGH FIVE® would like to offer individuals affiliated with the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging a special promotion for the month of May. They are offering a one-time $30.00 discount only until May 31, 2022.
Sense of Self: Leisure helps older adults with relocation transition
April 12, 2022
Older adults may face a number of difficult transitions in late life, such as retirement, health decline and loss of a spouse. Leisure has been known to help adults cope with these changes, as a way of maintaining and continuing their sense of identity.
Bruce Willis’ aphasia diagnosis draws attention to cognitive disorder
April 05, 2022
Across Canada and the US, more than two million people are living with aphasia and its associated challenges in communication and in using and understanding language. Until the recent news that Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia and was retiring from acting, many people were unfamiliar with the condition.
Physical activity reduces risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes: study
March 07, 2022
A new international study that draws data from over 65,000 patients and has a Western University connection has found that moderate physical activity in adults is associated with significant protective effects from severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Microcredentials offer professional ‘up-skilling’
February 28, 2022
Micro-certification is an ideal way to future-proof careers and build extra skills into a workplace or resumé. The CCAA and partners in the care-home sector are designing a four-course micro-certificate in aging well, with the aim of improving senior fitness and mobility, preventing falls and improving well-being.
How exercise can curb your junk food craving
January 10, 2022
Every January, millions of individuals make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or eat healthier, if not both. To achieve this goal, many individuals will begin strenuous exercise programs that incorporate too much exercise too soon, leading to fitness burnout or injury. Overtraining can actually prevent you from losing weight.
LTC residents should sit less, move more to improve health
June 10, 2021
New research indicates that reducing sitting time for older adults in long-term care could preserve or even improve quality of life, physical functioning and cognition in these facilities.
Expert insights: Too much sitting is bad for you
April 13, 2021
While it has long been known that too much sitting can have negative health effects, Kinesiology professor Harry Prapavessis argues that certain types of sitting are better than others.
Walking patterns could predict type of cognitive decline
By
Special ,Western News , February 16, 2021Researchers’ assessments of gait variability identified Alzheimer’s disease with 70-per-cent accuracy.
Older caregivers struggling with extra burdens of home care during COVID-19
February 05, 2021
Nursing professor Anna Garnett, along with co-authors from McMaster and the University of Manitoba, penned a column for The Conversation that takes a look at how older caregivers are struggling with the extra burden of home care during COVID-19.
New study shows no pain, no gain for knee osteoarthritis
December 10, 2020
A research study out of the Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory and led by Physical Therapy professor Trevor Birmingham has found that with the right exercise, working through the initial pain of osteoarthritis can be beneficial.
Health Studies professor appointed to COVID-19 Task Force
December 07, 2020
School of Health Studies professor Maxwell Smith has been appointed to the Government of Ontario’s Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force. The task force will oversee the delivery, storage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario.
Buddies and stepped-up rewards add exercise incentive
November 30, 2020
It can take just pennies a day to motivate people to exercise more, and they will step up their efforts when teamed with a buddy to collect joint rewards, a Western University study shows.
Students design lip-reading masks to help community members with hearing impairment
July 16, 2020
Health Sciences MClSc/PhD students Taylor Bardell and Matthew Urichuk have designed a mask that helps community members community with people who rely on lip-reading.
Online seniors’ fitness classes rock
May 21, 2020
When COVID-19 hit, and the province closed classes like Anne Cooke’s Stay Fit seniors’ fitness class to enforce social distancing, she went virtual to continue providing exercise opportunities for her 120 students. The free online classes are currently attracting approximately 30 participants per session.
Support for participants and members during coronavirus
April 09, 2020
As we recently shifted the CCAA’s operations to a virtual model, we have made some adjustments to our community programs as well as our leadership training processes and requirements to accommodate these changes. We also launched a series of Active at Home videos to help keep older adults moving safely while practicing physical distancing.
CCAA COVID-19 Information
March 12, 2020
UPDATED: March 24, 2020 (1:30 p.m.) - As new information is available regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the CCAA, it will be posted here. This information is specific to the CCAA and is intended to supplement Western's official advisories regarding COVID-19.
Rewards apps get Canadians moving
March 03, 2020
Recent Western-led research has shown that the use of commercial apps providing small but immediate financial incentives can help people increase their activity levels over the long term, and decrease the number of Canadians classified as physically inactive.
Improving front-line care for Canadians living with dementia
February 25, 2020
Be EPIC, a research program led by Health Studies professor Marie Savundrayanagam and funded by the Future Skills Centre (FSC), is helping Personal Support Workers provide enhanced care to the increasing number of Canadians living with dementia.
Funding advances development of innovative assessment software
February 13, 2020
The CCAA was recently awarded $49,999 from the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (C-CABHI) SPARK Program for a 1-year project to advance the development of its innovative functional fitness software database called HAroLD (Healthy Active Living Database).
Study: Exercise boosts memory like caffeine
February 10, 2020
Caffeine and exercise have been shown to separately improve certain aspects of cognition like attention and alertness, but the two energy boosters had never been compared head-to-head until Western's Exercise and Health Psychology Laboratory explored the idea.
Caring for caregivers
January 14, 2020
Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's can make everyday tasks immensely challenging, which is why most people with the disease rely on informal caregivers, often family members, to help maintain their quality of living. This podcast features Lisa Moszczynski, a master's student in Health and Rehabilitation Science, who has been researching the difficulties caregivers face - feelings of invisibility, lack of agency, and inability to access support.
Senior independent living at centre of research
January 09, 2020
Seniors across Ontario may soon be building healthier lives and stronger communities right at home, thanks to the efforts of Western researchers and colleagues across the province focused on helping seniors live independently as long as possible.
Here’s how to get active as a senior
December 10, 2019
Only 16 per cent of Canadians meet the government’s physical activity guidelines, which require 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise every week, according to Statistics Canada. And experts say that as we get older, staying active becomes even more important.
Free HIGH FIVE training offered at the CCAA
October 28, 2019
On Tuesday, November 26, the CCAA will offer complimentary training in HIGH FIVE's Principles of Healthy Aging to 25 individuals. Participants selected for the free session are required to complete feedback regarding the training and offer the Principles of Healthy Aging in their communities.
Seniors teaching seniors to get fit
April 25, 2019
The CCAA recently partnered with Go P.E.I. to get more older adults in communities in Prince Edward Island active. Newly trained TEP and Ball facilitators will partner with P.E.I. assisted living facilities to expand the reach of the program by training seniors and staff members to deliver classes in their facilities.
Hear and meet BodyBreak stars at R2A 2019!
March 20, 2019
The CCAA is celebrating 30 years of activity and aging at R2A 2019 with a little help from our friends Hal Johnson & Joanne McLeod from BodyBreak!
All exercise intensities benefit older brains
February 28, 2019
Older adults who engage in short bursts of physical activity can experience a boost in brain health even if the activity is carried out at a reasonably low intensity, according to a new Western study.
Seniors' simple falls prompt costly paramedic visits
September 07, 2018
New research led by Health Studies professor Aleksandra Zecevic shows that London-area paramedics are spending at least a month's worth of time each year literally picking up seniors who have called emergency services for help in getting up after a fall.
CCAA welcomes Cardiac Fitness Institute members
March 27, 2018
The CCAA, in consultation with London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), is pleased to have developed new fitness opportunities at the CCAA as a meaningful option for members of LHSC’s Cardiac Fitness Institute (CFI), which is slated to close on April 27, 2018.
Bringing healthy aging to the community
March 08, 2018
500 Londoners stay limber, mobile and active, minimize disease and maximize their independence by participating in fitness classes available two or three times a week at Western’s Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging.
Study: Brief, brisk workout can improve cognition
By
Adela Talbot ,Western News , February 01, 2018Approaching his latest study, Matthew Heath already knew aerobic exercise can be as good for the mind as for the body. What he wanted to find out was how long you need to exercise in order to reap those cognitive benefits.
