Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH)

What Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) does

CERAH (Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health) is a research and education centre embedded within Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, established in 1993. It operates four thematic divisions — Aging in Place, Dementia & Seniors' Mental Health, Indigenous Peoples' Health & Aging, and Palliative Care — and delivers continuing-education programs, conferences, and knowledge-translation resources to healthcare providers, students, Indigenous communities, and older adult populations across Northwestern Ontario and, increasingly, Canada-wide.

The centre's core offerings are curated curricula and accredited training programs rather than software products; the catalogue includes LEAP Core, Palliative Care for Frontline Workers, P.I.E.C.E.S., LIVING the Dementia Journey, U-First!, and Gentle Persuasive Approaches, along with a growing conference portfolio and a Dementia Café community program. Delivery is enabled by OTN-certified distance-education infrastructure and operates a regional hub for the Palliative Care ECHO Project knowledge-sharing network. A 30+ year content archive underlies the curriculum stack and provides institutional continuity.

CERAH is not a separately incorporated entity and has no commercial revenue model in the traditional sense. The organization employs approximately 6 people and is funded through a mix of provincial Ministry of Health / LHIN subsidies, Lakehead University allocations, government grants, and partner-led program funding. Leadership transitioned to incoming Director Dr. Ide Costa (effective July 1, 2026), succeeding Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller who led the centre since July 2021; the centre hosted its inaugural National Conference in October 2025, signaling a strategic broadening of geographic reach.

Name

Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH)

Legal name

Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health

Website

https://cerah.lakeheadu.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CERAH is a 6-person research and education centre within Lakehead University that delivers accredited curricula, conferences, and community programs on aging, dementia, palliative care, and Indigenous health to healthcare providers, students, and Indigenous communities across Canada, established in 1993.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education and Applied Research in Aging and Health

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSABAEAI

Family Caregiver Training & Dementia Coaching

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Dementia & Alzheimer’s In-Home Care

SECONDARYHSABAEAB

Dementia Personal Care (ADLs) Support

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Dementia & Alzheimer’s In-Home Care

SECONDARYHSABAEAJ

Dementia Care Coordination & Care Planning

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Dementia & Alzheimer’s In-Home Care

SECONDARYHLADALAG

Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Senior Care Coordination & Case Management (Geriatric Care Management)

Keywords

• Gerontology education
• Palliative care training
• Dementia care training
• Aging health research
• Knowledge translation

Headquarters

HQ city

Thunder Bay

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CERAH delivers continuing education, applied research, and knowledge translation programs in aging and health to healthcare providers, community organizations, students, and older adults in Northwestern Ontario and across Canada. Core offerings span competency-based palliative care training (LEAP Core and thematics), dementia care curricula (LIVING the Dementia Journey, U-First!, Gentle Persuasive Approaches, P.I.E.C.E.S.), recurring speaker and lunch-and-learn series, regional and national conferences, and community programs such as the Dementia Café, all supported by Ministry of Health and partner funding.

Product overview

CERAH offers a portfolio of educational programs, workshops, conferences, and knowledge translation resources focused on aging and health. The core offerings include LEAP Core and thematics (palliative care training developed by Pallium Canada), dementia care training programs (LIVING the Dementia Journey, U-First!, Gentle Persuasive Approaches), and P.I.E.C.E.S. workshops. Major events include the biennial CERAH National Conference (launched 2025) and the Northwestern Ontario Palliative Care Conference. Educational series include the CERAH Speaker Series, Health Research Dialogue Series, and Palliative Care ECHO Project. Community initiatives include Dementia Cafe and various knowledge translation resources covering Aging in Place, Dementia, Indigenous Peoples' Health & Aging, and Palliative Care topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LEAP Core (Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care) Competency-based 14-hour Mainpro+ accredited course providing essential basic competencies of the palliative care approach, including pain management, delirium, essential conversations, and grief; delivered to healthcare providers in Northwestern Ontario.
• Palliative Care for Frontline Workers Course A 15-hour, 10-module course for frontline care providers covering introduction to palliative care, physiology of dying, pain management, advance care planning, and grief and bereavement.
• P.I.E.C.E.S. Learning and Development Model Workshops Holistic, person- and care partner-directed model enhancing capacity to support older individuals living with complex chronic disease and geriatric mental health needs; delivered as workshops to healthcare providers.
• LIVING The Dementia Journey Award-winning, evidence-informed training program for those supporting people living with dementia, using presentations, reflections, and experiential learning to train care providers in person-centered approaches.
• U-First! Training Training program helping frontline staff develop a common knowledge base and approach to caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) Innovative dementia care education curriculum based on person-centered care approach, delivered as four modules over a 7.5-hour day for interdisciplinary point-of-care staff.
• CERAH National Conference Biennial national conference bringing together researchers, health and social care providers, community partners, and learners to share knowledge across four key areas: Aging in Place, Dementia and Seniors' Mental Health, Indigenous Peoples' Health & Aging, and Palliative Care.
• Northwestern Ontario Palliative Care Conference Regional palliative care conference bringing health and social care providers together to learn about innovations, research, and emerging best practices in palliative care for Northwestern Ontario.
• CERAH Speaker Series Virtual presentations on various aging and health topics delivered via Zoom platform, with sessions typically 45 minutes in length.
• Palliative Care ECHO Project Regional ECHO hub site as part of the National Palliative Care ECHO Project, cultivating communities of practice and establishing continuous professional development among healthcare providers who care for patients with life-limiting illness.
• Health Research Dialogue Series Spring, Fall, and Winter Lunch & Learn Series on health research topics, available in-person, at OTN sites, or via live webcast.
• Dementia Cafe: A Place to Belong Social program creating a safe, inclusive environment for people with dementia and their care partners, held every other Sunday afternoon at Urban Abbey, directed and delivered by CERAH.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, partner and core.

• Indigenous Services Canada, First Nations & Inuit Health – Ontario RegionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Indigenous Services Canada is a conference funder for the 2025 CERAH National Conference. Their financial contributions support the conference's vision and values around aging across the life cycle.
• St. Joseph Care GrouppartnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025St. Joseph Care Group is listed as a conference partner for the 2025 CERAH National Conference, contributing to collaboration and support for the event.
• North West Behavioural Supports OntariopartnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025North West Behavioural Supports Ontario is listed as a conference partner for the 2025 CERAH National Conference, contributing to collaboration and support for the event.
• Pallium CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERAH delivers LEAP Core (Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care), developed by Pallium Canada. LEAP Core is a competency-based 14 hour Mainpro+ accredited course providing essential palliative care competencies. CERAH also delivers various LEAP Thematics (LEAP Online, LEAP Mini, LEAP Renal, LEAP Paramedic, LEAP LTC, LEAP Oncology, LEAP Facilitator Training) on an annual basis.
• St. Joseph's Care GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with the North West Regional Palliative Care Program and Pallium Canada, CERAH coordinates a regional ECHO hub site as part of the National Palliative Care ECHO Project. This is a 5-year initiative to cultivate communities of practice and establish continuous professional development among healthcare providers across Canada who care for patients with life-limiting illness.
• North West Regional Palliative Care ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation planning is done in conjunction with the North West Regional Palliative Care Program. The program also provides guidance for the Palliative Care Symposium, ensuring content reflects current priorities and frontline needs in palliative care delivery.
• Alzheimer Society of Thunder BaypartnerGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay supports the Dementia Café program, providing additional resources and expertise for people with dementia and their care partners.
• Palliative Care Education CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Palliative Care Education Collaborative plans, facilitates, and supports the delivery of palliative care education across Northwestern Ontario. Membership comprises individuals with a mandate to deliver palliative care education, with regional and cross-sector representation highly valued. The Collaborative is a working group of the Regional Palliative Care Program.
• North West Regional Geriatric Education CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThis committee promotes sharing of best practices and innovation in care of older adults across all sectors of health care via workshops, webinars, and print materials. Goals include advancing knowledge in healthcare of older adults, raising awareness of similarities and differences across Northwestern Ontario, building collaboration across the northwest between Specialized Geriatric Services providers, and engaging health system leaders.
• Compassionate Thunder BaypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERAH is a member of Compassionate Thunder Bay, a group that aims to spread awareness of Compassionate Communities and act as a hub for Compassionate initiatives in Thunder Bay. The movement normalizes and increases community support for those experiencing death, dying, loss, or caregiving.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pallium Canada: National palliative care education organization that develops and licenses LEAP curricula delivered by CERAH. Directly comparable as a Canadian palliative care training provider; CERAH is both a partner and a regional delivery arm of Pallium's LEAP ecosystem.
• Bruyère Research Institute: Ottawa-based academic research institute focused on aging, long-term care, and palliative care. Comparable to CERAH as a university-affiliated applied research and training centre, with similar programs in dementia, palliative care, and caregiver education.
• AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence: Canada's federally funded technology and aging research network involving multiple universities. Comparable to CERAH in its applied aging research and knowledge translation mandate, but operates as a pan-Canadian multi-institution consortium rather than a single university centre.
• Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging: Aged-care research and knowledge translation institute affiliated with the University of Waterloo, focused on long-term care, dementia, and workforce education. Directly comparable to CERAH as a university-anchored applied aging research and training centre, though with a stronger long-term care workforce emphasis.
• Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CC-ABHI): Baycrest-hosted accelerator supporting innovations in aging and brain health across Canada. Comparable to CERAH in the aging and dementia knowledge translation space, but focused on commercial innovation commercialization rather than direct training delivery.

Regional players

• Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario: Ontario-wide network coordinating specialized geriatric services, education, and research across regional programs. Comparable to CERAH in geriatrics education and knowledge translation across Ontario, but operates as a coordinating network rather than a single training centre.

Broad incumbents

• Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care: One of Canada's largest academic geriatric care and aging research organizations, based in Toronto. Baycrest operates research, education, and clinical care programs across aging and dementia, comparable in educational and research scope to CERAH but at vastly greater scale and with residential care delivery.
• Alzheimer Society of Canada: National charity providing education, support, and advocacy across Canada for people affected by dementia. Overlaps with CERAH's dementia education and caregiver training programs, but operates at a national advocacy and fundraising scale rather than as a single regional training provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNAoP4SlxT1jSttq7fhhOQQ
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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cerahlu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH)