As populations around the world grow older, societies are asking an important question: What does it mean to age well? To help answer this, ELCHA Investigator Dr. Lillian Hung, lead of the UBC IDEA Lab, and PhD Student Peter Zhao, participated in the inaugural study of the Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care (IAIC) — a global partnership led by the Singapore University of Social Sciences that includes Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The goal of this collaborative study was simple but ambitious: to understand how older adults in different countries experience aging and what helps them thrive. Each region conducted its own study, gathering voices, stories, and survey data from adults aged 55 to 84. Together, the results paint a rich and often surprising picture of life in later years.
Why This Study Matters
The world is aging faster than ever before. For the first time in history, there are more older adults (60+) than children under five. Yet aging is not only a biological process — it is shaped by relationships, culture, financial stability, health systems, and community belonging. By bringing together regions with different histories, policy environments, and cultural traditions, this study helps us better understand both the shared human experience of aging and the distinct challenges that arise in different contexts.
Findings from Across Countries
Across all five regions, older adults described aging as more than simply managing health. They emphasized:
- Autonomy — staying independent and making their own choices
- Connection — maintaining meaningful relationships
- Purpose — staying engaged, contributing, and feeling useful
- Stability — having secure finances, good health care, and supportive environments
Many also demonstrated remarkable resilience. Even in the face of illness, mobility loss, or loneliness, older adults found ways to adapt — through social clubs, physical activity, spiritual practice, or simply reframing challenges with acceptance and optimism.
Despite cultural differences, Canada shared much in common with the other participating regions. Older adults everywhere expressed a desire to stay engaged and useful, maintain autonomy, feel valued and respected, and to be able to access reliable, affordable supports. However, the study also revealed unique pressures. For example, in Hong Kong and Singapore, housing and space constraints influence aging experiences. In Mainland China, changing family structures challenge traditional caregiving expectations. In the UK, strained health and social care systems shape everyday life for older adults. These contrasts reveal how policies, environments, and cultural expectations shape people’s ability to age well.
Findings from within Canada
In Canada, older adults strongly valued family and close relationships, friendships and social connections, physical and mental health, and financial stability. Many reported taking proactive steps to maintain health — staying active, learning new skills, and maintaining social ties. Community centres, neighbourhood groups, and diverse cultural networks played an important role in staying connected.
Building on the findings, several opportunities emerge to support older adults in Canada. Efforts to boost financial and social supports would be beneficial, such as income supplements, rental assistance, and accessible transport, particularly for newcomers, those living alone, and rural residents. Culturally inclusive programs that respect language, traditions, and diversity—co-designed with immigrant and Indigenous communities—could foster trust and engagement. Expanding health, wellness, and lifelong learning opportunities through community, library, and online programs would help maintain independence, resilience, and purpose, while intergenerational initiatives would allow older adults to share their skills and knowledge. Finally, technology that is co-created with older adults could strengthen connection, reduce isolation, and support autonomy in everyday life.
Opportunities for Action
The takeaway is clear: aging well is a shared responsibility. Families, communities, governments, and care systems all play a part in creating environments where older adults can thrive.
For Canada, the findings reinforce the need to:
- Protect financial and housing security to support independence and reduce stress.
- Embed cultural and linguistic inclusion in services for immigrant and Indigenous older adults.
- Invest in community-based, preventive programs that promote physical, cognitive, and social well-being.
- Recognize older adults as partners by involving them as co-designers, leaders, and facilitators.
The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging is proud to be one of the founding partners of the IAIC and we look forward to continuing to work with the participating countries and institutions to deepen global understanding and support innovation in integrated care. Aging is universal — and when we learn from each other, we can build societies where everyone has the opportunity not only to live longer, but to live well.
Read the full report: https://www.suss.edu.sg/partnerships/initiatives—resources/iaic-multi-region-study-report-2025
Article written by Kim Schmidt, November 25, 2025