Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Emergency departments (EDs) are a critical part of the healthcare system, especially for older adults who often have complex and urgent care needs. In British Columbia's Island Health region, older adults make up over 25% of the population, with even higher proportions in rural communities like the Comox Valley and North Island. Yet many older adults face serious challenges when seeking emergency care such as long wait times, poor communication, lack of age-appropriate services, and difficult transitions back home. These problems are worse in rural areas, where access to services and transportation options are limited. Our project aims to improve ED experiences for older adults living in rural BC by working directly with those most affected. Over one year, we will partner with older adult patient partners, caregivers, healthcare providers, and decision-makers to identify better ways to deliver emergency care. First, we will conduct a rapid review of the research to find what has worked in similar communities. Then, we will bring people together for a community workshop in the Comox Valley using a "World Café" method to discuss, reflect, and co-develop practical solutions. Participants will include older adults, caregivers, clinicians, Indigenous Elders, and local health leaders. Together, we will identify priorities for change and develop a plan to guide next steps. This planning grant will lay the foundation for future action, including a CIHR Project Grant to pilot rural-specific solutions. It will also help build lasting partnerships that connect research, community, and health systems. By putting the voices of older adults at the centre, this project supports CIHR's vision of more age-friendly, responsive, and equitable healthcare.