411 Seniors Centre Society has a long-standing history of working with academic, community, industry and government partners to identify and develop research priorities and initiatives that will enhance the lives of seniors. The research will lead to positive impacts for front-line service provision, increasing older adults and caregivers’ quality of life, sense of social connectedness, and empowerment.

411 Research is a leader in this process, committed to establishing partnerships that look at challenges around service provision, seniors health, climate resilience, the digital divide and ethical technologies that support aging, and so on. 411 Research wants to support current and future projects that support healthy aging, build resilience, bridge the divide, identify best practice and protocols, and explore tools in ways that are accessible, fun and informative.

The 411 Seniors Research Committee was established in 2022, comprising 411 board members and staff, with the goal of building capacity for research on issues and concerns important to the older adults accessing the 411 Seniors Centre. The Research Committee acts as the point of contact between the 411 community and external governmental, academic, and market/consumer researchers to evaluate incoming research requests, determine best fit and priorities that benefit older adults, as well as facilitate engagement between researchers and the broader 411 membership of older adults. Additionally, the group develops internal research processes that explore emerging trends and challenges identified by older adults themselves. The 411 Seniors Research Committee is responsible for vetting and evaluating all research projects.