Mobility in Aging – a Strategic Initiative of the CIHR Institute of Aging

Table of Contents

Summary

The long-term goal of the Mobility in Aging Strategic Initiative is to address research and knowledge translation needs within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with the mobility of older Canadians. Such investments will ultimately optimize the well-being of a large number of current and future older Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs.

The June 2005 Seniors' month marked the launch of the Mobility in Aging Initiative of the CIHR Institute of Aging.

Fundamental to the funding opportunities and other activities under the Mobility in Aging Initiative were multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing the larger health issues and questions within Mobility in Aging.

Early activities under this strategic initiative focused on its development and engaging relevant communities by providing funding opportunities to the research community for planning and development activities and for research and knowledge translation across a variety of disciplines and targeting different users. Users include, but are not limited to, health care and public health practitioners, program administrators, policy-makers, patient groups, citizens, researchers, and not-for-profit organizations.

Additional developments under the Mobility in Aging Initiative included additional funding programs and activities some of which reflected partnership activities and/or were based on the actions required to address the targeted needs and challenges in Mobility in Aging in Canada as determined through consultations.

The Partners engaged in the Mobility in Aging Initiative, through its funding opportunities and other research-related activities, included the following:

  • Institute of Aging
    in partnership with
  • Canadian Physiotherapy Association
  • Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation
  • Industry Canada's Assistive Devices Industry Office
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
  • Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
  • Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada
  • Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
  • Institute of Gender and Health
  • Institute Health Services and Policy Research
  • Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
  • Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
  • Institute of Population and Public Health
  • CIHR Ethics Office
  • CIHR Targeted Initiatives
  • CIHR Knowledge Translation
  • Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative

Mechanisms of Support

For instructions on how to apply for funding opportunities under the Mobility in Aging Initiative, please refer to the most recent competition launch.

Knowledge Synthesis Grant: Age-Supportive Built Environment
These grants provide support for knowledge translation and dissemination of research on the effects of overall or specific aspects of the built environment on the wellbeing of older persons.

Catalyst Grants in Mobility in Aging (Planning and Development Grants)
These grants provide support of planning and/or development activities that normally precede complex, multi-stakeholder and/or team research programs in Mobility in Aging.

Emerging Team Grants for Alliances in Mobility in Aging
These grants support the establishment of Teams in Mobility in Aging that cross disciplines and sectors and that provide research career development and research capacity building opportunities. The Team support is expected to build and strengthen research excellence and community alliances to meet a planned set of objectives and, where appropriate, to set out on future, larger endeavours.

Operating Grant: Demonstration Projects in Mobility in Aging
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the capacity of research-users to apply research evidence to their decisions on approaches - products, programs, services, and health system models - that contribute to improved Mobility in Aging.

Team Grant: Strategic Teams in Applied Injury Research
This funding opportunity will support multi-disciplinary teams of talented and experienced researchers and build further researcher capacity in the areas of injury prevention, treatment and control with the aim to create new knowledge useful in the development of policies, programs and products related to the safety of Canadians. IA in encouraging applications that relate directly to the aging process or specifically to the health and quality of life of older adults.

Research Syntheses Grants
This opportunity aims to identify research and knowledge translation gaps and further strengthen knowledge translation by supporting research synthesis in order to provide for evidence-informed decision-making.

Operating Grants - Priority Announcement: Institute of Aging
Under this opportunity those applications relevant to Mobility in Aging are encouraged by awarding the full funding term approved through peer review. These grants will further research advances through research operating support.

Operating Grants - Proof of Principle of Mobility in Aging Technologies
This opportunity is designed to advance discoveries/inventions towards commercializable technologies, with a view to attract new investment and create new science-based businesses. Special two-year funding.

Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada / CIHR Institute of Aging Research Grants in Mobility in Aging
These grants aim to encourage physiotherapy-related research that addresses knowledge or knowledge to action gaps within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with mobility of older Canadians.

Studentship in musculoskeletal, oral and skin health, and mobility
The purpose of this funding opportunity for studentships is to provide undergraduate students with opportunities to undertake research projects under the leadership of established health researchers in an environment that provides strong mentorship. IA is promoting the advancement of research to action to address the intrinsic and extrinsic challenges associated with mobility in aging. Specific research foci include Occupational Therapy for Mobility in Aging and Community rehabilitation.

Fellowships: Mobility in Aging and Dementia
This opportunity is intended to increase research capacity at the interface of Mobility in Aging and Dementia. It is a collaborative effort between the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the CIHR Institute of Aging.

Focus on Stroke: Doctoral Research Awards, Fellowship Awards and Research Scholar Awards
The aim of this opportunity is to encourage more students, recent graduates and postgraduates, including health professionals to train in the field of stroke. The Institute of Aging is interested specifically in increasing research capacity to address functional limitations of older individuals as a consequence of stroke.

Fellowships - Priority Announcement: Institute of Aging
Under this opportunity those applications relevant to Mobility in Aging are encouraged by allocating a special pool of funds.

Doctoral Research Awards in Occupational Therapy in Mobility in Aging

Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada / CIHR Institute of Aging Scholarship in Mobility in Aging
CIHR Institute of Aging has created a Scholarship valued at $4,000 for one-year for the Masters level and $5,000 for one-year at the Doctoral level which will be administered by PFC in 2008. This scholarship is to encourage training at the Masters and Doctoral level in the field of physiotherapy-related research in mobility in aging by recognizing the most meritorious candidates.

Built Environment, Obesity and Health Grants
Mobility in Aging is targeted within this opportunity, which aims to support policy-relevant collaborative projects that advance knowledge and its translation on how the built environment (defined as the outcome of community planning, design and implementation) is influenced by, and/or impacts on, a number of health, social and environmental factors.

  • December 2006 launch / (Nykiforuk)

Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative Team Grants
These grants are intended to support the creation or development of teams comprised of investigators undertaking collaborative, multidisciplinary research in the areas of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine. IA is contributing to applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas, with an emphasis on Mobility in Aging.

  • June 2005 launch / results (see Kandel)

Partnerships for Health System Improvement Grants
These grants support teams of researchers and decision-makers interested in conducting applied health research useful to health system managers and/or policy makers. IA is contributing to applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas, with an emphasis on Mobility in Aging.

Collaborative Health Research Project Grants: CIHR-NSERC
These grants support teams that include expertise in the natural sciences or engineering, and in the health sciences. Priorities set by CIHR under this program include the field of Mobility in Aging.

  • 2007 launch / results (see Doran)
  • 2006 launch / (McIlroy)

Strategic Project Grants: NSERC
This program provides support to targeted area Biomedical Technologies which includes Technologies for Independent Living and In-Home Care.

  • 2007 launch
  • 2006 launch / (Glasgow)

Strategic Networks: NSERC
This program provides support to targeted area Biomedical Technologies which includes Technologies for Independent Living and In-Home Care.

  • 2007 launch

Background

In the context of the Mobility in Aging Initiative, mobility encompasses not only participation in society (e.g., ability to drive and having accessible public transportation) and physical activity of older adults, but also the performance of specific maneuvers such as walking or climbing stairs and the carrying out of instrumental activities of daily living.

Mobility is a challenge for a significant proportion of the older population. In addition to extrinsic barriers of mobility, such as inappropriate transportation infrastructure, aids and physical environments; older adults also cope with intrinsic barriers, such as fear of falling and mobility impairments. Currently of those 60 years of age or over, 13% have mobility impairments; the proportion climbing to 30% by 80 years of age. As baby boomers move through their senior years over the next 4 decades, the number of Canadians living with mobility impairments will grow exponentially. In fact, 54% of older Canadians already believe that they are less mobile than they were 10 years ago: more than one third have difficulty climbing several flights of stairs and one quarter have difficulty bending or stooping (28%) or walking a kilometre or more (24%).

Mobility in older adults can significantly affect social and economic independence along with physical and mental health. Research addressing the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges associated with mobility in aging has the potential to optimize the well-being of a large number of Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs: the goal of this initiative.

Research within and across CIHR's four research themes, and within and across disciplines (e.g., biology, engineering, physical science, humanities and social sciences) is required to achieve the goal of this initiative. Thus, fundamental to this initiative are multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing the larger health issues and questions within Mobility in Aging. Necessarily collaborations and partnerships are integral to this approach.

Maximizing the impact of research in Mobility in Aging requires knowledge translation. While ideally research underpins evidence-based practices, programs and policies, there are areas in Mobility in Aging where the research results are available, but are not in a format readily accessible to the relevant users. Identifying and addressing these gaps requires research methods designed to systematically scope and synthesize evidence and methods of communication appropriate to the target audience(s). Input from users on research issues, design, through to evaluation ensures relevance of the research and its impact. Again collaborations and partnerships are also an essential component.

The Institute of Aging has and continues to consult with other CIHR Institutes and other research funding agencies. Government, private sector and non-governmental organizations, whose interests lie, e.g., in industrial design, transportation, and consumer groups, will see an important role for themselves within this initiative. The growing list of partners in the Mobility in Aging Initiative demonstrates the breadth and complexity of issues of the initiative. Targeted areas of interest of Partnering organizations and other CIHR Institutes are delineated under "Description of Partners" further below.

Objectives of the Strategic Initiative

The long-term goal of the Mobility in Aging Initiative is to address research and knowledge translation needs within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with mobility of older Canadians. Such investments will ultimately optimize the well-being of a large number of current and future older Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs.

Initial objectives are to:

  • Raise awareness of the importance of Mobility in Aging for the well being of older adults;
  • Identify target areas for training, research and knowledge translation activities in Mobility in Aging;
  • Identify issues and questions of importance to users
  • Promote collaboration between CIHR's traditional and nontraditional (e.g., housing industry, transportation, and telecommunication) communities;

To help achieve the above objectives, the Mobility in Aging Initiative currently includes support for Planning and Development Proposals, Research Synthesis Proposals, and additional funding opportunities provided by partners. Further details on the requirements and specific goals of these funding programs are available under Mechanisms of Support. Such support will generate useful information, networking and other outcomes for Mobility in Aging Initiative planners, partners, research community and users.

The Mobility in Aging Initiative will evolve. To maximize the potential relevance to research users and end users this strategic initiative will continue to be informed through consultations with key experts, users, and relevant partners.

Relevant publications and outcomes of funded projects and consultations are posted under "Mobility in Aging Reports".

Eligible Research and Research-related Activities

Research and research-related activities should move forward on addressing research and knowledge translation needs and emerging opportunities within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges associated with Mobility in Aging. Research on Aging is that which addresses issues of aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects; uniqueness of aging or aged population). In this context of aging, eligible areas of inquiry under the Mobility in Aging Initiative encompass the following:

  1. biological and physiological factors
  2. behavioural and psychosocial factors
  3. biomedical, clinical and technological innovations
  4. prevention, rehabilitation and management
  5. environmental factors - social, economic, policy and physical

Within or across any of the above areas, eligible activities also include addressing ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes. There is potential overlap between the above areas, and restriction to solely one area is not expected. Similarly, addressing multiple areas is not an absolute requirement, although multi-disciplinary approaches are encouraged.

Through various consultations, research and knowledge translation gaps have been identified. The CIHR Institute of Aging will encourage the research community to direct their proposals to address these issues:

  1. Understanding and defining mobility in aging: trajectory of mobility status in health and disease, and from function to impairment
  2. Maintaining and restoring mobility in aging: impact of behavior, prevention, intervention and health system models
  3. Measures, tools, and technologies in research, assessment and mobility aids
  4. Supportive designs for mobility in aging: housing, communities, and transportation

More details and the synthesis of these consultations, the 4 targeted research areas, and other gaps can be found in the document: Mobility in Aging Initiative - Priorities for Research and Research-advancing Activities Identified through Consultations.

Relevance Review Process

Relevance to the Mobility in Aging Initiative will be assessed on the extent to which the proposed research and/or knowledge translation activity:

  • addresses any of the strategic objectives outlined in IA's Strategic Plan;
  • responds to the Mobility in Aging Initiative and the following eligible areas of inquiry:
    • biological and physiological factors;
    • behavioral and psychosocial factors;
    • biomedical, clinical and technological innovations;
    • prevention, rehabilitation and management;
    • environmental factors - social, economic, policy and physical
  • addresses issues of aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects; uniqueness of aging or aged population);

Applicants should note that for funding opportunities solely supported by IA, unless otherwise stated, the focus of the Institute of Aging is primarily on the functional limitations as the consequences of diseases rather than on the diseases themselves, as these are addressed by other CIHR Institutes.

For partnered funding opportunities, additional target areas identified by CIHR Institutes and Partner organizations may also qualify for eligibility for partner funding. Targeted areas of interest of CIHR Institutes and partnering organizations are delineated under "Description of Partners" further below.

The process for relevance review is fully described in each funding opportunity. Such reviews will take place prior to and in the absence of any knowledge about the outcome of peer review and will have no impact on the peer review process.

Mobility in Aging Reports

Regular initiative updates will provide for the timely posting of various Mobility in Aging Initiative outcomes, such as the reports on the outcome of funded projects and reports on consultations with key experts and relevant partners and stakeholders. 

Past Mobility in Aging-related Events

  • International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence. St. Petersburg, FL, USA (February 1-5, 2006)
  • International Congress on Gait and Mental Function: the Interplay between walking, behaviour and cognition. Madrid, Spain (February 3-5, 2006)
  • Safe Patient Handling & Movement Conference. Clearwater Beach, FL, USA (February 27 - March 3, 2006)
  • 22nd International Seating Symposium. Vancouver, BC (March 2-4, 2006)
  • 2nd Canadian Conference on Frailty. Montreal, QC (March 16-18, 2006)
  • Festival of International Conferences on Disability, Aging and Technology. Toronto, ON (June 16 - 19, 2007)
  • TRANSED 2007 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons. Montreal, QC (June 18-21, 2007)

Description of Partners: CIHR Institutes and Partner Organizations

The Institute of Aging consulted with other CIHR Institutes, other research funding agencies, and partners. Government, private sector and non-governmental organizations, whose interests lie, e.g., in industrial design, transportation, and consumer groups, saw an important role for themselves within this initiative. The list of partners in the Mobility in Aging Initiative demonstrates the breadth and complexity of issues of the initiative.

IA solicited interest in co-funding this initiative from partners with overlapping interest. Researchers were also strongly encouraged to seek out additional partners to support and disseminate research in Mobility in Aging.

Partners and their targeted areas of interest within the context of Mobility in Aging are listed below:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.

CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
The CIHR Institute of Aboriginal People's Health (IAPH) will support health research that respects aboriginal cultures, while generating new knowledge to improve the health and well being of aboriginal people. CIHR-IAPH will strive to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people by supporting innovative research programs based on scientific excellence and aboriginal community collaboration. The available funds for this initiative are yet to be determined.

CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health
The mandate of the IGH supports research that addresses how sex (biological-genetic factors) and gender (social-cultural experiences) interact with other socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic factors to influence health, and create conditions that differ with respect to risk factors or effective interventions for males and females throughout the lifespan. The objectives of the Institute for Gender and Health are (1) to generate evidence regarding the impact of sex and gender on health status, health behaviour, and health services use throughout the life span; (2) to enhance understanding of how gender and sex interact with other health determinants; (3) to provide evidence to inform the design of programs, policies and practices; (4) to build the capacity of gender and health researchers in Canada; and (5) to advance the gender and health perspective nationally and internationally.

The Institute of Gender and Health strongly encourages applicants to demonstrate the use of sex/gender-based or sex/gender-sensitive analysis (SGBA) in applications. SGBA is an approach to research and evaluation which systematically inquires about biological (sex-based) and sociocultural (gender-based) differences between women and men, boys and girls, without presuming that any such differences exist. The purpose of SGBA is to promote rigorous sex/gender-sensitive health research which expands understanding of health determination in both sexes, in order to provide knowledge which can result in improvements in health and health care.

IGH will contribute up to $50,000.

CIHR-Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) supports outstanding research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians. IHSPR encourages the submission of applications that align with "Listening for Direction II (LfD II)" theme areas

CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
The goal of the CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis is to support research to sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis, musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions.

To achieve its vision, IMHA will focus on three research priorities:

  1. Physical Activity, Mobility and Health
  2. Tissue Injury, Repair and Replacement
  3. Pain, Disability and Chronic Diseases

IMHA will contribute up to $100,000 per year to successful Planning and Development Grants applications that fit with Physical Activity, Mobility and Health.

CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
The CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) supports research to enhance health in relation to diet, digestion, excretion, and metabolism; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions and problems associated with hormone, digestive system, kidney, and liver function.

INMD will consider supporting meritorious applications that it deems relevant to INMD's Strategic Initiative Excellence Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight. The goal of the strategic initiative is to increase our understanding of the measures, causes, prevention, treatment and consequences of obesity and maintenance of body weight. INMD's financial contribution to this initiative has yet to be determined.

CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health
The CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) supports research into the complex interactions (biological, social, cultural, environmental), which determine the health of individuals, communities, and global populations; and the application of that knowledge to improve the health of both populations and individuals, through strategic partnerships with population and public health stakeholders, and innovative research funding programs.

CIHR Innovation and Industry Programs
CIHR's Research Translation Programs will fund meritorious applications relevant to Mobility in Aging within the available budgets of the following programs: CIHR/Rx&D Research Program, CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program, and the Proof-of-Principle Programs: Phase I and II. Top-ranked, relevant applications will be considered meritorious and therefore fundable. Funding decisions will follow the ranking order of relevant applications. Any application receiving a score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding

CIHR's Ethics Office
The CIHR Ethics Office develops and implements research ethics policies, builds capacity and supports research on ethics. It also provides advice to the research community on ethical issues and public policy and legislative issues. CIHR Ethics will contribute through various Mobility in Aging-Mechanisims of support as well as through the CIHR IA Research on Aging Advancement Program, where the proposals address ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes.

CIHR – Knowledge Translation Branch (KT)
The role of the CIHR Knowledge Translation (KT) Branch is to create, support, monitor and sustain an environment that allows CIHR to deliver on its KT mandate. Fulfilling its corporate KT function, the KT Branch provides a focal point for KT as CIHR leads broad KT strategic initiatives and provides support to multi or pan-Institute KT initiatives.

Partner Organizations

Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada
The Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada (PFC) is a nationally registered charitable organization dedicated to the funding of physiotherapy research to help improve the health, mobility and well-being of Canadians. During its 25-year history, PFC has awarded more than $1 million in grants and scholarships. The scientific evidence gathered through the pilot projects it supports, enables important development work to be done that will eventually lead to better treatment and decision making in the practice of physiotherapy.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) is the national voluntary professional association representing almost 10,000 members in all provinces and territories. Our mission is to provide leadership and direction to the physiotherapy profession, foster excellence in practice, education and research, and promote high standards of health in Canada.

Physiotherapy is a primary health care profession that promotes wellness, mobility and independent function. Physiotherapists have advanced understanding of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well and how to restore mobility.

Physiotherapists play an integral role in health care teams, offering unique expertise to clients across the lifespan in orthopaedics and manual therapy, neurology, cardiorespiratory conditions and sports injuries.

Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative, a Large Multi-organization Strategic Initiative led by CIHR, will consider funding Mobility in Aging Planning and Development Grants for proposals deemed relevant to its strategic focus in the area of rehabilitation sciences. For more information on eligible research activities through the Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine initiative, and for additional funding opportunities, please see the latest initiative RFA.

Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation
The Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation (COTF) supports research and scholarships in the field of occupational therapy. The Foundation's focus has been on generating, receiving and maintaining funds and developing mechanisms for granting awards to individuals and organizations for research, scholarships and publications. COTF's vision is to provide meaningful daily occupation for all Canadians and their mandate is to fund and promote scholarship and research in occupational therapy in Canada.

Industry Canada - Assistive Devices Industry Office
Industry Canada's Assistive Devices Industry Office (ADIO) encourages the development and promotion of accessibility standards and promotes the Assistive Technology (AT) and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Sectors through newsletters, web sites, conference presentations and by providing online tools to guide people in procuring accessible technology. ADIO also works to develop statistics on Canada's AT sector and link it with other industry sectors.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
NSERC invests in people, discovery and innovation through programs that support university research in the natural sciences and engineering on the basis of national competitions, and that will continue to be its major activity.

Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) is a strategic and applied health research funder with a significant emphasis on knowledge mobilization. ONF's mission is to improve the quality of life for those living with neurotrauma (an acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury), and to reduce the incidence and prevalence of neurotrauma injuries. For ONF, research should inform and be mobilized to a) transform the lives of those living with a neurotrauma so they can engage in productive activity as full citizens, and b) to transform our ability and capacity to reduce and/or eliminate these injuries. The foundation views researchers, policy makers and practitioners, and consumers as the three key stakeholder groups that must come together to effect change.

Contacts

For questions about Mobility in Aging initiative, contact:

Michelle Peel
Assistant Director-Ottawa
CIHR- Institute of Aging
Telephone: 613-952-4537
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: michelle.peel@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Date modified: