Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University

Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University

Since its establishment in 1982, the Gerontology Research
Centre (GRC) at Simon Fraser University has served as a focal
point for research and information on topics relating to individual and population aging. The Centre has earned international
recognition for its applied research in the areas of: Aging and
the Built Environment; Prevention of Victimization and
Exploitation of Older Persons; Health Promotion and Aging;
Changing Demography and Lifestyles; and Older Adult Education.
The Centre also provides consultation and technical assistance
with respect to program development and evaluation. Clients
include academic, government, public and private organizations. Resources include a specialized library and information service staffed by a qualified librarian and The Dr. Tong Louie Living Laboratory. The Living Lab, a joint project with the BC Institute of Technology offers a unique venue for development and/or testing of living environment designs and assistive products for adults with disabilities and older persons (see www.sfu.ca/livinglab for further information). The GRC is an active member of the Canadian Consortium for Health Promotion Research which links the Centre with university-based Health Promotion researchers across Canada. It was a member of the Canadian Study on
Health and Aging. This study linked 18 universities in
investigating the epidemiology of dementia as well as healthy
aging. The Centre houses the Secretariat of the International
Association of Gerontology (IAG) and hosts its website at
www.sfu.ca/iag. the IAG represents 63 national organizations from 60 countries. The associated Department of Gerontology , established in 1983, offers a post-baccalaurate diploma in gerontology, masters degree, undergraduate minor and opportunities for PhD work.

Company Details

Year Established: 1982

Number of Employees: 20

Company Information

Melinda Aikin
Title: Reception
Telephone: (604) 291-5062
Fax: (604) 291-5066
Email: Click Here

Andrew Wister
Title: Associate Director
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Telephone: (604) 291-5062
Fax: (604) 291-5066
Email: Click Here

Products

Housing/Care Facility Design

Services

Consulting/Education/Product Testing Each year GRC staff are invited to speak at international, national and regional conferences and symposia, to participate in planning exercises, and to provide advice with respect to seniors housing, health and social service program design and evaluation, legal issues, Third Age programs, and health promotion and disease prevention. A number of credit courses are available by distance education. The GRC will also develop custom courses for specific market segments. Other export products include books and reports. The GRC also offers a unique venue for the development and/or testing of residential designs and assistive products for adults with disabilities and older adults. The Living Lab is a full scale simulated residence. Its flexible wall system allows different configurations of space to meet a client's or manufacturer's particular specifications, or to explore the universality of a product (i.e. its functionality and appeal to various user groups). Sophisticated video-based recording and monitoring systems capture person-environment/person-product interactions for later use in product evaluation or marketing.

Health Worker Training Simon Fraser University offers three types of training programs in Gerontology : an undergraduate minor, 2 post-baccalaureate diploma and 2 masters degree. For information visit the education section of the gerontology website - www.sfu.ca/gero