Grant: Catalyst Grant: Personalized Health Catalyst Grants

The older adult population aged 60 years and over will double and by 2051 make up 30% of Canadians, of which up to 50% will be affected by a neurological or mental disorder. The burden of these disorders account for 17% of YLDs in older adults, the leading cause, and close to $60 Billion in Canada (IHE, 2008). The WHO's Global Strategy on Ageing and Health 2015 highlighted the importance of research towards improving the responsiveness of the health system to equitably meet the health needs of the population and the measurement of indicators for the surveillance of mental health of older adults. Given the ageing of the population, important prevalence of physical and psychiatric multimorbidities and burden on resources; focus should be placed on research aimed at elucidating health system, environment and bio-psychosocial factors associated with trajectories towards healthy ageing and positive mental health while also considering equity in access to adequate and quality treatment. In a large cohort study of older adults living in the community followed over a 7 year period, we will assess the factors associated with different profiles and trajectories of mental and physical health status to better identify vulnerable populations at increased risk of disability and mortality; and also assess trajectories associated with better quality of life.