McMasterOptimal Aging Portal

Laura Harrington

Managing DirectorLabarge Optimal Aging InitiativeMcMaster University

What Are the Needs of Aging Canadians?• Stay active, healthy and

engaged• Age in home or community

To do so, seniors need immediate access to credible information

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McMaster UniversityA Knowledge Hub for Optimal Aging

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McMaster Gateway to Optimal Aging

Stay active, engaged and informed

and age in your home or community

Geriatric Education and Research in Aging Sciences

(GERAS)

Canadian LongitudinalStudy on Aging (CLSA)

Gilbrea Centre for Studies on Aging

Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative

Health Canada Investment “Helping People Stay Healthy at

Home”

Aging, Community and Health Research Unit

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Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal

Optimal Aging Knowledge Translation

EnterpriseLabarge Optimal Aging

Opportunities Fund

Stakeholder and Media Engagement

Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative

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Navigator

Under development:• We are considering how we can facilitate the use of

the 211 website directory of agencies and services for older adults

Connection to enable citizens to identify where to seek services that are effective (or to prompt them to consider research evidence when they are looking for a service)

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Connector

• Expert blogs• Email newsletters• Email alerts• Online forums

• Social sharing tools

• Commenting tools• Twitter integration• Facebook

integration

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Broader EngagementDialogue and debate about issues that are important to seniors and caregivers led by the McMaster Health Forum• Citizen panels• Public talks• Public debates• Student-led initiatives (panels, talks, debates)

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Opportunities for Partnership

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We need to expand the mandate of the PortalWe are looking for opportunities to partner to increase our reach and impactWe welcome your suggestions on:

How we can raise awareness about the PortalHow we can ensure the diversity of the consumers that are involved in the relevance ratingHow we can focus our communications on vetting evidenceHow we can ensure we broaden our reach to various linguistic and ethnocultural groups

Contact Information

Laura Harringtonharrinl@mcmaster.ca905-525-9140 ext. 28658

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