Mel Barsky on why assistive technology is the future for dementia care
Meet the judges: Mel Barsky, Partner at CABHI Ventures & Director at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)
“I’ve always been driven by the power of innovation to transform lives. While I don’t have direct family experiences with dementia, I’ve witnessed its profound impact through many friends and their loved ones.
My journey into health tech began after co-founding a strategic fintech venture fund with one of Canada’s big banks, where I earned the nickname “Medical Mel” thanks to the constant flow of health tech opportunities that were always passed to me.
When I learned about Baycrest’s initiative to launch an accelerator for dementia-focused innovation, I recognized a unique opportunity to drive large-scale change and ultimately work towards finding cures. I’m honored to be part of this talented group and am excited to leverage my venture capital and health tech experience to support CABHI’s mission in tackling dementia and promoting healthy aging. CABHI’s success has now led me to find more like-minded impact investors and innovation to work with us on this important journey.”
Why are you excited to be judging the Longitude Prize on Dementia?
As someone deeply committed to accelerating innovation in aging and brain health, I’m honoured to be judging the Longitude Prize on Dementia. At the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), we work with innovators to drive the development and adoption of transformative aging and brain health innovations; this prize aligns perfectly with that mission.
We help accelerate solutions across Canada to share globally, and to bring the best global solutions back to Canada. By studying the best international solutions and sharing best practices, we will achieve synergies and find tools, programs, products, therapies, and, one day, a cure for Dementia.
This competition encourages bold, practical solutions that can meaningfully enhance the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers. I’m excited to participate in identifying innovations that have the potential to be scalable, impactful, and life-changing.
What experiences and insights will you be bringing to the judging process?
My over-30-year career in finance, operations, venture capital, and commercialisation of health-tech startups allows me to assess not only the scientific and technological merits of a solution but also its real-world feasibility to determine if it can be adopted at scale. I hope to bring the lens of how we work with our own portfolio of companies at CABHI to this judging process, to help choose the best innovation that will bring about meaningful and revolutionary change.
Throughout the judging process, I’ll be pondering whether any given solution will truly meet or exceed the needs of people living with dementia, their professional and family caregivers, and the health ecosystem.
What difference do you think assistive technologies will make to people living with dementia?
Assistive technologies are game changers for dementia care. They can empower individuals to maintain independence, reduce stress for caregivers, and improve overall well-being.
Whether it’s AI-driven robotics, remote patient monitoring, or intuitive brain-to-computer interface communication tools, these technologies help people with dementia navigate daily life with greater ease. Importantly, they also support social connection and cognitive engagement, which are hugely beneficial for enhancing quality of life.
When designed well, assistive technologies can bridge gaps in care, enabling people to live safely at home for longer while also easing the burden on caregivers and healthcare systems.
Have you seen an appetite for technology amongst people living with dementia? What do innovators need to take into consideration in designing for this audience?
Absolutely. Many older adults and their caregivers are open to technology – when it’s designed with their needs in mind. At CABHI, we’ve seen firsthand how co-designing with people with lived experience leads to better adoption and impact.
Innovators need to prioritise simplicity, accessibility, and personalisation. Technologies must be intuitive, requiring minimal learning curves, and they should adapt to the progressive nature of dementia. Privacy and security are also key considerations, as trust is essential. Most importantly, solutions should integrate seamlessly into everyday life – enhancing, not complicating, the experience for both people living with dementia and their caregivers.
MEET THE FULL JUDGING PANEL FOR THE LONGITUDE PRIZE ON DEMENTIA