ICAA
What's new: Unlocking the future: Closing the gap between consumer expectations and community offerings in senior living report.

Industry news

[PLANT POWER?] Older adults short of protein on vegan diet

"Replacing animal-based protein sources with plant-based alternatives reduced both the quality and quantity of protein intake among older adults. Notably, the reductions were significant only when all animal-based foods were eliminated--i.e., in a vegan scenario -- a simulation study found. The authors suggest switching to a ratio of 40:60 (animal vs plant), in line with recommendations of the Dutch Health Council, which says that ratio is better for health and for the environment."

[“GAME-CHANGER”] WHO launches long-term care toolkit

"In a step towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of long-term care (LTC) across Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Regional Office for Europe has launched a new State of Long-term Care Toolkit. The resource aims to support policy-makers at regional, national and local levels in reshaping LTC systems to be more responsive, inclusive and sustainable."

[SPEND NOW!] Big investment gap will thwart senior housing

"Senior housing is on the cusp of a dramatic growth opportunity and a potential availability crisis, with a $275 billion investment gap between projected supply and demand that will position stakeholders well if they can act to meet the growing demand, according to the latest National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) MapVision report. "

[MOVE TO LIVE LONGER] More activity after age 40, more years of life

"If every person in the United States over the age of 40 was as physically active as the top 25% of the population, they could expect to live an extra five years, on average, suggest the findings of a recent modelling study. And if the least physically active matched the level of the most physically active, they could live almost 11 years longer, the estimates indicate."

[PASS THE POPCORN?] Could movies ease communication in dementia?

"Movies could help facilitate communication and promote social engagement in people with dementia, ongoing research at the University of Montreal suggests. Researchers from the university's School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and the Institute of Geriatrics Research Centre are investigating whether audiovisual content can improve communication and social connection for older adults living with dementia."

Moffitt study links methylmalonic acid to weakening of immune cells in lung cancer

"Metabolic changes associated with aging can impact immune responses against tumors"

FutureCeuticals, Inc. achieves joint health and mobility claims approval for Promentum™ Calcium Fructoborate in Canada

"FutureCeuticals, Inc. announced today the successful approval of mobility and joint health claims for Promentum™ Calcium Fructoborate in Canada."

Longevity biotechnology: AI, biomarkers, geroscience

"“The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), biomarkers, ageing biology, and longevity medicine stands as a cornerstone for extending human healthy lifespan”"

Combining VR and non-invasive brain stimulation: a neurotechnology that boosts spatial memory without surgery

"EPFL researchers have combined virtual reality, non-invasive brain stimulation and advanced brain imaging techniques to improve spatial navigation in healthy participants. The study is a first step in addressing dementia in an aging population without med"

Sleep apnea contributes to dementia in older adults, especially women

""

Researchers identify “sweet spot” for safe surgery after heart attack

""

Cardiovascular risk biomarkers in inflammaging

"“Here, we advocate for a more comprehensive biomarker-based approach to CV risk that incorporates two distinct dimensions”"

Can a positive outlook on aging lead to better cognitive performance?

"People with more positive aging expectations rate their cognitive function better and report less perceived cognitive decline, according to a new study"

New study reveals blood sugar control is a key factor in slowing brain aging, highlighting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet

"Age-related brain atrophy, the gradual loss of neurons and shrinkage of brain tissue, is a natural part of aging, which can lead to cognitive decline and other neurological issues. While so far aging cannot be prevented, recent research from an 18-month dietary intervention offers hope that lifestyle and dietary changes can slow brain aging. A new international study, led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev as part of the DIRECT PLUS Brain MRI trial, has brought to light how blood sugar control can significantly impact brain health."

British Columbia's first-ever menopause study uncovers critical challenges for midlife women

"A groundbreaking study on midlife women in British Columbia reveals the significant health, work, and care challenges posed by menopause, offering recommendations for enhanced health care support and workplace policies"

Personalized home evaluation tool for older adults and people with disabilities wins national competition

"Canadian startup Incluzia Inc. has won the 2024 AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge: Solutions for Healthy Aging for its evaluation tool that identifies safety risks, generates data-driven recommendations and facilitates collaboration to make a person's home safer and more accessible."

TELUS Global Ventures invests in Homethrive and Rhino Health

"TELUS Global Ventures is participating in two new funding rounds with equity investments in Homethrive and Rhino Health. Illinois-based Homethrive addresses the growing need for elderly support by combining human expertise with digital solutions, making caregiving more manageable for families. Headquartered in Boston, Rhino Health transforms healthcare AI, bridging medical data sources and the researchers that need to analyze health data to speed up advancements in healthcare. These new investments bring the number of companies supported by the TELUS Global Ventures to more than 150."

West Health, Hospital Association of Southern California collaboration increases number of geriatric emergency departments

"Hospitals in Southern California are in a much stronger position to provide specialized emergency medical care to area seniors, thanks to an 18-month-long collaboration between the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) and West Health, a nonprofit focused on aging and healthcare practice, policy and applied medical research."

Redefining healthcare at home with Vision AI Care

"Comprehensive Healthcare at Home (CHAH) is proud to announce the launch of Vision AI Care, an innovative solution that is set to transform healthcare delivery in Canada. CHAH Technology, based in Ontario, has partnered with Chooch, a global leader in AI-powered computer vision, to deliver this ground-breaking advancement in home-based healthcare."

MEDTEQ and AGE-WELL announce 16 envisAGE collaborative projects to enhance older adults' quality of life with Canadian innovations

"MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL proudly announce the first 16 collaborative projects resulting from an unprecedented national mobilization through envisAGE, an initiative created to propel Canada to the forefront of the AgeTech sector and foster quality aging nationwide."

Mayo Clinic study: What standing on one leg can tell you

"How long a person can stand — on one leg — is a more telltale measure of aging than changes in strength or gait, according to new Mayo Clinic research. The study appears today in the journal PLOS ONE."

Bilingualism may maintain protection against Alzheimer’s, new Concordia study finds

"Neuroimaging reveals larger, healthier hippocampi in patients who speak two languages"

Canadian startup releases lighter weight, 'intelligent' glove designed to ease hand tremors

"Steadiwear has launched its third-generation Steadi-3 glove designed to reduce hand tremors for people living with Essential Tremor and Parkinson's disease – and nearly half the size and weight of the previous device."

[DIGITIZE ME] Wearable tech top fitness trend for 2025

"Technology applications in the fitness industry continue to build momentum as wearable technology, mobile exercise apps and data-driven training technology all appear in the top 10 of the American College of Sports Medicine's 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends. Based on the annual survey of 2,000 clinicians, researchers and practitioners in the fitness industry, wearable technology was named the number one trend for 2025, followed by mobile exercise apps (#2) and - notably - exercise programs for older adults, which held its place as #3. In addition, health and wellness coaching was #10."

[JUST SAY NO] Deprescribing key to reducing inappropriate polypharmacy

"ECRI, a nonprofit organization focused on improving safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of care across healthcare settings, has published a white paper on reducing polypharmacy through deprescribing. It’s a strategy that can improve quality of life for many older adults, and might even save lives."

[GO, STOP, AND GO] Short bursts of walking use more energy than moving nonstop

"Walking or climbing stairs for short bursts of time burns 20%-60% more energy than doing the same activity for the same amount of time or distance without stopping for breaks, a recent study suggests."

[YOUR BEST BET?] Medicare beneficiaries not comparing coverage options

"With open enrollment underway, a recent KFF analysis suggests that the vast majority of the 67 million Medicare beneficiaries in the United States will not shop around among the coverage options for 2025 or switch plans. It’s a decision that could have a significant impact on enrollees’ coverage and costs."

[LISTEN UP!] Voice assistants curb feelings of loneliness among older adults

"Researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Spain conducted a review of the risks and potential of using systems such as Alexa or Google Home to reduce feelings of loneliness among older people. Estimates suggest that there are nearly three million older people who are experiencing loneliness in some way in Spain alone."

Super-Agers: What are their secrets to long-lasting memory, stamina?

"There is an assumption that, as we age, our memory inevitably slips. Maybe you’ve even experienced this firsthand: calling a grandchild by the wrong name, misplacing the TV remote on a regular basis, or walking into a room and realizing you can’t remember why you did."

The silent threat of sarcopenia among elderly type 2 diabetes patients

"As global populations age, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications, such as sarcopenia, continues to rise. Sarcopenia, which involves the progressive decline of muscle mass and strength, is common among older adults and is linked to various negative health outcomes, including increased risk of falls, frailty, and mortality. Despite its serious implications, sarcopenia’s impact on elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients remains under-researched in clinical settings. Given these challenges, there is a clear need for further investigation into how sarcopenia affects elderly diabetics."

Preventive medicine professors part of collaborative grant for AI system to enhance Alzheimer's caregiving

"Jennifer Martindale-Adams, EdD, and Linda Nichols, PhD, professors in the Department of Preventive Medicine in the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, are members of a team led by Xiaopeng Zhao, PhD, professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, that was recently awarded $401,090 grant from the National Institute on Aging for the development of the RISE project, “Robot-based Information and Support to Enhance Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health.”"

ACS program cuts surgical deaths and improves care for older adults, studies show

Active Aging Leading, connecting and defining the active aging industry since 2001. ICAA provides world class information, education, resources and tools to help health and wellness professionals be more successful with their clients age 50 plus

New research model for predicting hip fractures could save lives

"Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a clinical model that can accurately predict the risk of hip fractures in the elderly. The model is based on analyses of data from the entire Swedish population and can identify patients at high risk, without the need to measure skeletal strength. This can speed up the process for doctors and allow patients to receive preventive treatment. This is shown in a new study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine."

Empowering independence: Smart home solutions for aging in place

"CEDIA shares how seniors can live on their own safely and comfortably"

icaa 100 members