Vibrant Minds
Tablet-based games that exercise and improve reaction time, short-term memory and language. Developed with AGE-WELL NCE; studies show even those with moderate dementia can benefit.
Over 1.6 million Canadians are currently living with frailty — a number projected to exceed 2.5 million over the next decade. Our team is building a coordinated, holistic digital platform to help older adults avoid and mitigate frailty symptoms and live independently longer.
Frailty is a medical condition of reduced function and health in older individuals. Factors like inactivity, poor nutrition, social isolation and multiple medications all contribute to frailty. The risk increases with age, but age itself is not synonymous with frailty — and for those living with it, the risk of further health deterioration is significantly higher than expected from age alone.
Our team is working on a coordinated approach to mitigate physical, cognitive and mental frailty, supported by a software platform. We bring together experts from the Health Sciences, Social Sciences, and Science & Engineering, with a focus on digital technologies designed specifically for older adults.
Our work builds on longstanding partnerships with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, the AGE-WELL NCE, CABHI, the Canadian Frailty Network, and UAlberta’s Computational Psychiatry group — all converging toward a single integrated platform for healthy, independent aging.
“Older adults living with frailty and their families need holistic approaches that treat the entire person and their health challenges in a coordinated, caring manner.”
Each platform addresses a specific dimension of frailty prevention — from cognitive exercise to physical activity, unobtrusive monitoring, and community services — all integrated into a single holistic system.
Tablet-based games that exercise and improve reaction time, short-term memory and language. Developed with AGE-WELL NCE; studies show even those with moderate dementia can benefit.
A virtual reality exergame platform supported by AGE-WELL and CABHI that helps seniors improve balance, strength and flexibility through engaging, guided movement.
A sensor-based unobtrusive monitoring environment developed with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and UAlberta Health Sciences Council to track Activities of Daily Living.
AI-powered extraction of indicators for neurodegenerative and mental health conditions from speech patterns, developed within UAlberta’s Computational Psychiatry group.
Developed with the Canadian Frailty Network, AVOID is a software intervention for frailty prevention that integrates all digital tools into a unified, personalized experience.
Wearable sensor integration for continuous, passive monitoring of physical activity and health indicators, enabling early detection of functional decline.
Connecting older adults with local services, caregivers and peer support networks to address social isolation — one of the key contributors to frailty.
Validated digital assessments for frailty screening, nutritional status, cognitive performance and physical function — standardized and integrated with the care record.
A research-backed, four-pillar strategy to support older Albertans in living healthily and independently for longer.
Use wearable sensors, speech analysis and validated assessments to detect early signs of frailty before they progress.
Offer evidence-based digital tools — Vibrant Minds, Virtual Gym, and Activity Challenge — to maintain cognitive and physical function.
Link seniors to community services, nutrition resources, and peer support networks to combat social isolation and loneliness.
Track progress through the Smart Condo™ and wearables, adjusting interventions in coordination with healthcare providers and caregivers.
This work has been generously supported by our funding partners.
If you are interested in learning more about our work or getting involved, please contact Dr. Eleni Stroulia at stroulia@ualberta.ca or sign in to explore our platforms.