After many years of success, EvidenceNetwork.ca is no longer in operation. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the organization over the past decade including our dedicated researchers, newspaper editors, readers and funders. However, now it is time to move onto new ways of looking at knowledge mobilization and policy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shannon Sampert at s.sampert@uwinnipeg.ca.

Better information is the key to making hospitals more senior friendly

Canadians are living longer.  Unfortunately, our hospitals aren’t ready for them. Canadians over 65 years old use over 40 per cent of hospital services, a demand that continues to rise.  As they age, Canadians hope to stay at home as long as possible. If hospitalization is required, they should expect to go home quickly and […]

A national seniors strategy needs to account for complexity in the aging process

Canadians 65 years and older now outnumber children 14 years and under, which means our needs as a society are changing.  We are succeeding in shifting the aging curve through preventive interventions and better public health — that’s good news. But the changing demographic is causing strains in our health and social care supports. How […]

Listening to our Elders

Older Canadians living with frailty tell us what they need to live better Within a decade, the number of frail, elderly Canadians will double.  What does getting old look like in Canada? We need to start listening to the people with lived experiences of frailty and aging in planning and providing care, say Dr. Kathy […]

Listen to those living with frailty

Older Canadians say their top priorities are better coordinated care systems and more community and home-based supports Today, over one million Canadians are medically frail — approximately 25 per cent of those over age 65 and 50 per cent past age 85. The aging of Canadian society and the growing number of older adults living […]

The Concept of “Frailty” and How it Can Help Reform our Health System

The Canadian population is rapidly aging as the Baby Boomer generation heads into retirement. By 2030, almost one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65.  Canadians are also living longer than ever, but how well they live while aging remains a concern. Individuals do not age according to a pre-existing timetable; rather […]

Food is medicine where malnutrition and frailty are concerned

Malnutrition a common problem for patients entering health care facilities in Canada – costing the system $2 billion annually “You are what you eat,” or so the saying goes.  We use this axiom in our developed country, where obesity is often top of mind, to remind ourselves that overeating will lead to a less healthy […]

How improving healthcare for the frail elderly can also cut costs

Medical frailty already affects over one million Canadians.  It can be expensive and upsetting for frail people and their loved ones. Dr. John Muscedere explains how Canada’s healthcare system can better support frail people, who are typically elderly and more vulnerable. Find out how better healthcare for people who are medically frail also improves care for people who are younger and have more […]

Exercise is not just for the fit, it helps the frail elderly and critically ill too

In-bed cycling in critical care units could be a way to improve patient health and save money A version of this commentary appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press, the Huffington Post and Vancouver Province  Frail and critically ill patients can safely bike in the intensive care unit, even early in their ICU stay.  These are the […]