The Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CC-ABHI), spearheaded by Baycrest Health Sciences, has granted funding for the development of early stage innovations in the field of aging and brain health.

Point-of-care innovators from the healthcare system span nurses, physicians and clinicians have submitted proposals for projects to improve support for global individuals affected by dementia and other cognitive issues.

Awarded through its Spark Programme, the $1.4m funding has been granted to 31 recipients. Selected innovators will receive up to $50,000 each in funding to scale up their ideas into proof-of-concept or prototypes.

Baycrest Health Sciences president and CEO Dr William Reichman said: "The Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, spearheaded by Baycrest, is funding innovative solutions by point-of-care workers who are directly involved in providing care to the aging population.

"We look forward to seeing the impact these funding recipients will make with their innovative ideas."

Some of the innovations that will be funded by the programme include the use of virtual reality to calm people with dementia, interventions for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Other innovations are improvement of an app that helps caregivers track and manage challenging behaviours associated with dementia, and development of a lighting system designed to reduce falls in long-term care settings.

The projects are expected to address cognitive decline in older adults.

Canada Minister of Health Jane Philpott said: "Our government is pleased to support innovation and advancements in the field of aging and brain health.

"The work by funding recipients of the Spark Programme through the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation will have real impacts, helping to improve the quality of life of Canadians affected by dementia."