In The News
RIA Program wins QI Innovation of the Year Award
(April 27, 2010 - Toronto, ON) Excellence in Resident-Centred Care is a 10-module training course for Personal Support Workers in Long-Term Care and Retirement. It takes an innovative approach to enhanced skills training reflecting best practices within a framework of resident-centredness. Developed by the RIA in partnership with Conestoga College, this program was first delivered in RIA's nine research and development sites: Schlegel Seniors Villages/Oakwood Retirement Communities and is now being disseminated more broadly.
Smart technology eases aging in place
(Dialogue+ 2010/2011 - dialogueplus.ca) Exactly where is the "place" in the oft-repeated phrase "aging in place"? Depends on who is using the word. To the federal government, it means a person's home. For some provinces, the "place" is their community. Ontario's Aging at Home Strategy focuses on keeping seniors in their homes for as long as possible. It does, however, make reference to aging in one's place of choice as well.
"Some people might choose, and might choose wisely, if they're isolated and don't have the support at home, to go into a retirement home," says Dr. Mike Sharratt, head of the Research Institute for Aging (RIA). When individuals suffer from visual or hearing impairment or cease to be able to keep up with the demands of home ownership, moving into a retirement residence can make good sense.
RIA, an independent institute affiliated with the University of Waterloo, has researchers working on projects designed to improve seniors' quality of life. With funding from Ron Schlegel, owner and operator of seniors' homes, its research and training programs are directed at seniors in both long-term care and retirement residences.
RIA congratulates Marlene Raasok, Executive Dean of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, Conestoga College, for her Exemplary Leader Award
This North American-wide award is given by The Chair Academy, an organization committed to best practices in organizational leadership in the post-secondary sector. Marlene was nominated by her colleauges in recognition of her exemplary leadership and commitment to her institution and its students. Among the many aspects of Marlene's leadership which were highlighted in the receipt of this award were that she has "developed and implemented significant partnerships from which the administration, faculty and students benefit on a daily basis". Conestoga's relationship with the RIA is one of the outstanding examples of such partnerships.
For more information, contact Josie d'Avernas.
Excellence in Resident-Centred Care
The program has been developed in collaboration with Conestoga College and provides personal support workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide resident-centred care.
For more information, contact Susan Brown.
Legal and Health Issues Interwoven for Seniors
With funding from the Law Foundation of Ontario, the RIA interviewed seniors, staff who work with seniors, and legal services to better understand access to justice issues for this group. (View Report)
For more information, contact Josie d'Avernas.
ICAA Functional U Newsletter: Get Fit For Space program
Kitchener, ON (February 12, 2010) - Another result of the successful Get Fit for Space program, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) included an article on the success of the program in their January-February newsletter, Functional U (pgs 15/16).
Other programs that were awarded the "Innovator Awards" were profiled as well. All of the award-winning agencies (including the RIA), presented their programs at the ICAA conference in Orlando, Florida this past December and this article is a follow up to that presentation.
There will be an in-depth article about the Get Fit For Space program in the ICAA journal, so please stay tuned to the RIA website for details.
The ICAA was founded in the belief that unifying the efforts of the organizations focused on older adults benefits both the people that they reach and the organizations themselves. Today, the vision is shared by over 8,200 organizations connected to the ICAA network.
Whether retirement community, seniors centre or fitness club, all ICAA members share a common interest in reaching older adults with active-aging messages, facilities, programs and guidance. The ICAA supports these professionals and organizations with education, information, resources and tools so they can achieve optimal success with this market.
View ICAA Functional U Newsletter...
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging wins major award
WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010) - The Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging (RIA) has won an innovator's award from the International Council on Active Aging for adapting a ground-breaking program in order to encourage senior citizens to become more active.
As a result of the Get Fit for Space program, RIA's researchers, along with kinesiologists and recreation staff at each site, enhanced the care of seniors in eight of the institute's long-term care and retirement communities. An every-step-counts theme enabled able-bodied residents, as well as those with canes, walkers and wheelchairs, to participate in a variety of fitness activities and log kilometres toward a collaborative goal.
"The Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging provides an inspiring example for everyone striving to advance active aging," said Colin Milner, ICAA's founder and CEO. "Participating in the Get Fit for Space program has helped to enrich the lives of older adults and enhance their health, wellness and quality of life. ICAA congratulates the Research Institute for Aging on the excellence and creativity demonstrated in this program."
The ICAA's innovation awards recognize creativity and excellence in active-aging programs and products. Award-winning programs target any or all of the six dimensions of wellness: emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual and social.
CTV SWO's Health & Lifestyle Report: New strategy for heart disease
(November 24, 2009) - Heart disease is a serious concern with the elderly.
It's about more than chest pain and heart attacks though, it also comes with other conditions like dementia, frailty and falls.
A new strategy has been announced with the intention of keeping seniors healthy and in their homes longer.
"The end result will be seamless, integrated, co-ordinated care that is age appropriate, location appropriate and keeps them in their homes as long as possible," says Sandra Hanmer, CEO of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
George Heckman is the newest research chair for the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging.
A Message from Bob Thirsk to the Schlegel Homes ...from space!
Astronaut Bob Thirsk sent a video message to the Schlegel Seniors Villages to share congratulations for their participation in the Get Fit For Space Challenge.