Kiran Rabheru
MD, CCFP, FRCP, DABPN
Senior Investigator
Professor
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa
Board Member and Chair of Advocacy & Public Awareness Committee
International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA)
Chair of the Board
International Longevity Centre Canada (ILC Canada)
Chair
Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA)
About:
Dr. Kiran Rabheru is a Professor of Psychiatry and a Geriatric Psychiatrist at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. For over 40 years, he has cared for his patients and their carers, as a primary care physician and later as a geriatric psychiatrist. He is designated as a Founder of the subspecialty of Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada and is recipient of the Outstanding Achievements in Geriatric Psychiatry Award by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP). In 2024, Dr. Rabheru was honored as the recipient of the International Psychogeriatric Association’s Service to the Field of Psychogeriatrics Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to advancing the care and support of older persons.
In 2021, Dr. Rabheru co-founded a Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA) in partnership with 14 key Canadian organizations. CCAA is inspired by the WHO’s Global report on Ageism and is a nationwide social change movement to eliminate ageism against older persons while protecting and promoting their human rights. In 2023, Dr. Rabheru was invited to co-chair a new Lancet Commission on Long Term Care, based the core principles of WHO’s Healthy Aging model and human rights.
Dr. Rabheru is Chair for Section of Positive Psychiatry of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and serves on the National Leadership Team for Fountain of Health, promoting healthy aging, brain resilience, and vitality. He has previously served as a Board member and President of CAGP, as co-leader of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health, and chair of the steering group for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, which unites over 400 members worldwide to promote the rights of older persons globally and ensure they live free from discrimination.
Dr. Rabheru is dedicated to serving older persons, envisioning a world free from ageism. Through scientific advocacy and by reframing societal attitudes towards aging, he works to ensure older persons live without discrimination and fully enjoy their rights. His goal is to create an inclusive world where no one is left behind.
Research Interests:
Ageism, mentalism, ableism, intersectionality, human rights of older persons, healthy aging, human rights based care and support, scientific advocacy, age friendly environments, UN decade of healthy aging, sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Select Publications:
de Mendonça L, Ayalon L, Banerjee D, Peisah C, Rabheru K. (2024). Older persons with mental health conditions in situations of risk and humanitarian crises: contribution of the WPA-SOAP and IPA. International Psychogeriatrics.
Pot AM, Rabheru K, Chew M. (2023). Person-centred long-term care for older persons: a new Lancet Commission. The Lancet.
Rabheru K, Byles JE, Kalache A. (2022). How “old age” was withdrawn as a diagnosis from ICD-11. The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Hwang TZ, Rabheru K, Peisah C, Reichman W, Ikeda M. (2020). Loneliness and Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Psychogeriatrics.
Rabheru, K. (2022) Mental health promotion and risk reduction strategies for mental disorders in older persons: why should governments and policymakers care? Consortium Psychiatricum.
Kirkham K, Keng A, Conn D, Benjamin S, Seitz D, Rivard MF, Martinussen B, Grief C, Checkland C, Rabheru K. (2024). Timely Yet Long Overdue: Canadian Standards for Long-Term Care Homes. Canadian Geriatrics Journal.
Contact:
Kiran.rabheru@ilccanada.org
Learn more about the International Longevity Centre of Canada.