Our approach

The RTOERO Foundation is one of the only charitable foundations in Canada to focus its efforts exclusively on the health and wellbeing of our older generations. We support innovative research and programs with the goal of improving health care and promoting social engagement for all seniors.

Adults over 65 are the fastest-growing segment of Canada’s population. With that demographic shift, comes new challenges. We’re working to advance knowledge about aging and to help make sure we all have access to appropriate, high-quality care and support as we age.

There are so many organizations across our country doing the hard work of building stronger communities and empowering disadvantaged groups. Within the complex structure of “at risk” demographics, we believe a group that is very often forgotten and neglected are senior citizens. This is a critical gap that we believe must be addressed in order to maintain a truly healthy society. 

The RTOERO Foundation was created to help realize the ideal of a society in which seniors get the care and support they need, and play an active role in the things that matter to them. We are one of a very few Canadian foundations focused exclusively on healthy and active aging. 

Our dreams are big, but our organization is small, so we believe that focus is key. There is a multitude of perspectives and strategies on how best to solve the challenges faced by our elderly population. We believe that the best way to achieve our vision of a society in which all seniors live with dignity and respect, is to invest strategically in three critical areas of focus:

  • Geriatrics research: Initiatives that take a scientific approach to an examination of healthy aging, health services, and the quality of life for older adults.
  • Seniors’ health & wellbeing: Initiatives that have as their primary focus, improved physical, mental and/or social health and wellness among older adults.
  • Social engagement: Initiatives that have as their primary focus, improved social engagement for older adults.

We develop partnerships and fund projects that are based anywhere in Canada. For our granting program, we have a strong preference for projects with the potential to scale and/or replicate in multiple areas and communities across the country.