Perley Health Shares New Ideas in Aging Technology at AGE-WELL Conference 2026

Perley Health's Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™ will showcase nine presentations at the AGE-WELL Annual Conference 2026. The conference brings together researchers, care providers, industry leaders, older adults, caregivers, and government representatives to shape the future of technology and aging.

Together, these presentations reflect Perley Health's commitment to research that is practical, ethical, and grounded in the everyday realities of long-term care. The goal is simple: ensure that technology supports safer care, strengthens care teams, and improves quality of life for older adults.

Research that starts at the bedside

Many of the ideas behind these projects began at Perley Health, shaped by the experience and insights of clinical team members who work closely with residents every day. Those ideas were then developed into full research projects using methods such as scoping reviews, environmental scan, qualitative studies, and mixed methods approaches.

Student-led research on aging and technology

Seven student-led posters will showcase the Centre of Excellence's growing research in aging technology and long-term care.

  • Sneha Negi (from the Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University) and colleagues will examine AI governance in long-term care through an environmental scan of Canadian policy and governance.
  • David Mathew (from the University of Ottawa's Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences) and team from Perley Health will present heartbeat-based music technology designed to support legacy-making for older adults.
  • Nathalie Todam Nguepnang (a PhD Candidate from the University of Ottawa's Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences) and colleagues from an international Canada–UK research team will review frameworks and methods for evaluating digital health interventions in long-term care. The work was published recently in BMC Health Services - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-026-15429-7
  • Safieddin Elaskri (from the University of Ottawa Healthcare Analytics program) and team from Esprit-AI and Perley Health will share early findings on an AI-enabled monitoring system and night-time falls.
  • Gabriel Sethi (from the University of Ottawa's Department of Psychology) and colleagues from Esprit-AI and Perley Health will explore staff perspectives on using Esprit-AI during night care.
  • Lucas (from Queen's University) and colleagues will present a scoping review on the reliable integration of passive AI monitoring systems - technology that can support residents without requiring them to wear devices or interact with the system.
  • Prashanti Mohan (a doctoral student from Carleton University's Department of Systems and Computer Engineering) and team will examine safe and unsafe urinary catheter use in long-term care homes.

From pilot project to everyday care

The Centre's contributions go beyond student-led posters. Atul Jaiswal, Research Lead at the Centre of Excellence, will join a panel with Bruyère Health and the Esprit-AI team: “Beyond the Pilot: How Research Connects Agetech Development, Implementation and Care.”

The panel will share lessons learned from taking AI-enabled dementia care from a small pilot study to full procurement and use in care settings.

Esprit-AI is a discreet sensor system that helps care teams notice when a resident may need assistance. It uses no cameras and no wearables, and can support fall prevention, night-time safety, and more responsive care.

For families, this kind of technology can offer greater peace of mind. For care teams, it can provide timely information that helps them respond sooner and spend more time on direct, person-centred care.

Building sustainable, person-centred innovation

Danielle Sinden, Director of the Centre of Excellence, will participate in a panel “Beyond the Pilot: Rethinking the Path to Sustainable Agetech.” This session will explore what it takes to move promising innovations beyond a successful trial and into lasting, person-centred care.

The question is not simply whether a technology can work. It is whether it can be integrated thoughtfully into daily care, supported by staff, trusted by residents and families, and sustained over time.

Perley Health's presence at AGE-WELL 2026 highlights an important message: the future of aging technology should be developed with older adults, families, and care teams - not just for them.

- By Atul Jaiswal, PhD, Research Lead, Centre of Excellence & Research Operations, Perley Health,
Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

November 2-4, 2026 the Perley Health Centre of Excellence showcases nine presentations at the AGE-WELL Annual Conference 2026.