Our Research Approach
MIRA takes an interdisciplinary approach to to examining the biological, behavioural, technological and environmental factors affecting how people age. It combines the following:
- A coordinated, collaborative research agenda that brings together academic researchers and clinicians from all Faculties;
- The use of a design thinking approach to generate human-centred solutions;
- Ongoing interaction with diverse stakeholders in all of our work.
MIRA’s research approach is designed to generate solutions that are built upon the foundation of curiosity-driven activities, and that are practical, readily implemented and promote aging in place.
MIRA’s first focused centre, the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA), supports research on the broad topic of mobility in aging. Interactions between biological factors and the built and social environments combine to impact older adults’ mobility, social engagement and overall health. However, few studies have addressed these interactions across multiple levels. By better understanding the range of issues associated with mobility in aging, there is greater potential to optimize the well-being of Canadians.
At the LCMA, McMaster researchers have identified three priority areas for study:
- Understanding, defining, and exploring mobility in aging;
- Maintaining and restoring mobility through prevention, intervention and interaction with health systems; and
- Examining environmental facilitators and barriers that influence mobility.
The LCMA has distributed financial support to advance these priorities through several mechanisms, including exploration and planning grants, major research initiatives, student scholarships and a post-doctoral fellowship.