Seeing Through the Noise: Taking Control of Our Aging by Taking Care of Our Senses

Following this year’s Rotman Research Institute (RRI) Conference, the RRI and the Baycrest-led Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) hosted a public panel focusing on the importance of sensory and cognitive health.

Taking care of our hearing, vision, and other senses is a critical part of maintaining our brain health, with unaddressed sensory loss being a major risk factor for dementia. However, stigma and ageism unfortunately lead many older adults to ignore worsening senses for many years, negatively impacting their communication abilities, social interactions, cognitive functions, and more. This panel brought together experts with unique perspectives from science, innovation, policy, and clinical practice. Discussion focused on the importance of sensory health in dementia prevention, and how to create better supports for individuals living with sensory loss, ultimately creating a world where older adults can live life to the fullest.

Panelists:

Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

Carrie Cusker, Head of Immersive Experience, Embodied Labs

Dr. Allison Sekuler, Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Rotman Research Institute; President & Chief Scientist, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care; President & Chief Scientist, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI); Professor, University of Toronto and McMaster University

Marilyn Reed, Audiology Practice Advisor, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care

Moderator:

Jay Ingram, Canadian author, broadcaster, and public speaker