Explore every episode of the podcast Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population

At 91, Doug Robinson still has a bucket list. At the top: make it to 100, and throw a party.

Donna Duncan sits down with Doug, a resident at the Village of Sandalwood Park in Brampton, Ontario, and his daughter, Elaine. Doug moved into long-term care the week before COVID. Since then, he has become known as the King of the Green Bench.

At Schlegel Villages, a green bench sits by the front door. It's an open invitation to sit beside an older adult and hear their story. That simple idea grew into #ElderWisdom, a movement to challenge ageism by listening to older adults. It even became a documentary, The Green Bench, which took Doug and Elaine back to where their family's story began.

Doug has a lot of stories. Some you won't quite believe. Elaine promises they're all true.

It's a reminder of why we make this show. Growing older doesn't make life smaller. Sometimes it's where the best stories are still being written.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Green Bench, a documentary from Schlegel Villages, produced by SandBay Entertainment
• #ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench podcast from Schlegel Villages, also on Spotify
• Learn about the #ElderWisdom movement and take the #ElderWisdom Pledge
• Once a Nurse, Always a Nurse: A Conversation with Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Coming of Age

This episode is sponsored by our Sector Champion, Medline Canada. Learn more about how we’re making healthcare run better in long term care at medline.ca

Longer lives are one of humanity’s greatest achievements. So why do we still talk about Canada’s aging population as a crisis?

In the Season 6 premiere, Donna Duncan speaks with Dr. Parminder Raina, Scientific Director of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and lead principal investigator of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

They explore what gets lost when aging is described as a “silver tsunami,” why there is no typical older person and what it will take to help more people live with independence, purpose and connection. Their conversation moves beyond health care to consider housing, transportation, caregiving, technology and the design of our communities, and how better data can help Canada plan for a future where longer lives are the norm.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Canada is getting old—and that’s our biggest advantage for 2067 by Dr. Parminder Raina 
• Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada, the 2025 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey 
• Multisector Plans for Aging from The SCAN Foundation 
• National Seniors Council 

Research discussed

• McMaster Monitoring My Mobility 
• The EMBOLDEN trial 
• CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire Study 
• A longitudinal analysis of the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults 
• Factors associated with willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine among adults aged 50 and older

This episode is brought to you by our Sector Champion, StaffStat.

Canada is aging, and that asks all of us to think differently about care, our communities and what it truly means to age well.

Season 6 of Coming of Age brings researchers, policy leaders, residents and families into conversation about the choices, practical ideas and lived experiences shaping the future of aging and care.

Hosted by Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, the season looks beyond the headlines, connecting the big questions facing our systems with the people whose lives are at the heart of them.



Watch the trailer, and follow Coming of Age wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. We’re glad you’re part of the conversation.

Care doesn’t start with policy — it starts with people.

In this special episode of Coming of Age, host Donna Duncan sits down with the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, responsibility, and what it means to answer the call to care.

A registered nurse, Minister, MPP, mom, wife, daughter.. and even a student… Minister Kusendova-Bashta brings all of these identities into her leadership. Drawing on her nursing experience at the bedside, she reflects on how care shapes the choices we make as leaders, as systems, and as communities.

This conversation goes beyond politics, portfolios and priorities. It’s about the leader behind the role,  and why, in long-term care, leadership is more than a job. It’s a calling.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Pathways to becoming a nurse in Ontario and supports for entering a career in health care
• Incentives to work in long-term care for nurses and PSWs  
• Ontario’s commitment to build and redevelop 58,000 long-term care spaces 
• In August 2025, Ontario committed to make Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program permanent and expanding it to serve more communities
• Learn about the Improving Dementia Care Act that Minister Kusendova championed with MPP Laura Smith 
• Community access to long-term care pilot program
• LTC Community Engagement Day. Engagement Day is a powerful opportunity to bring people together – residents, staff, families, and community leaders – to celebrate, connect, and advocate for long-term care. Join us September 18, 2026



If you are a member of the public or a family member with questions or comments about long-term care, please contact the Ministry of Long-Term Care or call their long-term care hotline, available 7 days a week at 1-866-434-0144.

Five years ago, Coming of Age launched during a global pandemic that exposed deep fractures in how we care for older adults. 

For this milestone episode, host Donna Duncan reunites with our very first guest, award-winning journalist and author Moira Welsh to reflect on progress, persistent challenges and the future of aging in Ontario.

Moira’s new book, The Astonishing Lives of Older Women, shines a light on the gendered realities of longevity. Women live longer. They are more likely to experience financial vulnerability in later life. And too often, we fail to plan for what longer lives actually require.



So what has changed in the past five years?

Are we better prepared for aging culturally, financially and structurally?

And what would it take to shift from fearing aging to planning for it?

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of long-term care, the power and resilience of older women, and why aging well is not a private issue but a societal responsibility.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare. 

Books and more by Moira Welsh: 

• The Astonishing Lives of Older Women: How to Create Pleasure Over Peril in Peak Longevity (available April 7, 2026)
• How to live to 100 (or Die Trying) a new podcast with Moira Welsh 
• The Third Act, an ongoing first-of-its kind project that partners research expertise, thought leadership and journalism the Toronto Star is producing in collaboration with the National Institute on Ageing and Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care 

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Data: Long-Term Care in Ontario with insights on wait times, who lives in long-term care and more
• Learn about the many ways Schlegel Villages is working to support its residents and neighbours – from sky-diving and other moments of living well. 

Ontario is home to more than 330,000 people living with dementia today, a number expected to reach one million within a generation. Behind these staggering statistics are real people navigating profound changes in cognition, communication, and identity.

This episode brings together two experts in medicine and compassionate care to illustrate how Ontario’s long‑term care sector can honour the person first, always.

• Dr. Sophiya Benjamin, Associate Professor at McMaster University and Schlegel Chair for Mental Health in Aging, and Co‑Founder of GeriMedRisk.
• Adria Thompson, speech‑language pathologist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Be Light Care - the largest dementia education platform on social media.

This is a conversation about shifting from a medical lens to a human one, and about the powerful partnership between clinical expertise and compassionate communication that supports people living with dementia every day.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Dementia Care App (coming soon), created by Adria Thompson, will provide instant access to more than 500 short, practical, easy-to-implement videos, all from the convenience of your smartphone. Whether you're a care partner at home or leading a care team, you can access fast, evidence-based support in the moments that matter.
• Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario offers programs and services to help people living with dementia, care partners and healthcare professionals get the support they need.
• Research Institute for Aging connects research to the real world and tackle the biggest issues facing an aging population, helping to change the way we age in Canada.
• McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) works to optimize the health and longevity of Canada’s aging population through leading-edge research, education and stakeholder collaboration. Explore their network of resources from the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, the Voice community engagement network for research on aging, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and more

In long-term care, the workforce is the heart of every home. When we invest in long-term care as essential economic infrastructure, we not only provide compassionate care, we also strengthen Ontario’s GDP, create recession-proof jobs and provide reliable support for our aging population.

In this episode, host Donna Duncan is speaking with two respected leaders who are unpacking all the ways in which education, employers and government can work together to create a solid foundation for our future long-term care workforce.

Guests:

• Carolyn Triemstra is the Manager, Living Classroom and Education Engagement Lead for the PREP LTC and Living Classroom programs led by the Research Institute for Aging through the Ontario CLRI.
• Daniel Tisch Echevaria is President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. He is a business, public policy, and community leader, having held executive roles in government and the corporate sector, and senior governance roles at public institutions and non-profit associations.

The realities of the human resources healthcare crisis are urgent, but not unbeatable. There are simple, actionable steps that can be taken today to stabilize our current workforce and prevent the crisis from deepening in the future.

This episode was generously sponsored by StaffStat.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Preceptor Resource and Education Program in Long-Term Care (PREP LTC)

Supports Ontario long-term care homes with funding, online education, and tools to strengthen student mentorship, clinical placements, and building workforce capacity.

Primary care is often called the heartbeat of healthcare, and in Ontario’s rural and northern communities, it’s a lifeline. As more than half of long-term care spaces await redevelopment, local care teams are stepping up with new ideas and strong collaboration to help older adults age with dignity and connection.

In this episode, host Donna Duncan speaks with 3 inspiring women who are reshaping seniors’ care from the ground up:

Dr. Tara Kiran, a family doctor, leading primary-care researcher at Unity Health and the University of Toronto. Tara led the OurCare survey that helped shape Ontario’s new Primary Care Act and hosts Primary Focus. 

Michèle Lajeunesse, Executive Director of the Marathon Family Health Team in Marathon, Ontario—about an eleven-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto. She’s seeing firsthand how team-based care is helping older adults stay well and supported in their communities. 

Jennifer Burns West, interim CEO of Haliburton Highlands Health Services and board member of the Senior Care Network. Jennifer is reimagining rural healthcare through integrated services and global innovations like green care farms.

Together, they share insights, wisdom, test new care models, and build a more responsive primary care system strengthening seniors’ care across Ontario - including in long-term care homes, where collaboration is helping residents live well every day.



This episode was generously sponsored by our sector champion, PointClickCare.

Resources:

Seniors Care Network is responsible for the organization, coordination and governance of specialized geriatric services (SGS) in the Central East Region of Ontario Health East.

Learn more about OurCare Standard: a new way to assess primary care performance across Canada. 

Click here to listen to Dr. Tara Kiran’s new podcast, Primary Focus

Mentioned in this episode: Marathon Family Health Team and Haliburton Highlands Health Services

Canada’s service members are individuals who have served our country with courage and commitment - yet as they age, many find themselves navigating a fragmented care system that doesn’t fully reflect the values they upheld in uniform.  

This episode of Coming of Age brings together experts from Medicine and Military to discuss what it means to truly care for the veterans of today - and tomorrow.



Joining host Donna Duncan for this conversation are: 

• Major (Ret’d) Paul Hook, Managing Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research
• Professor David Pedlar, Senior Scientist at the University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research at The Royal
• Dr. Samir Sinha, Geriatrician, Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing and a leading voice in the provision of geriatric and long-term care

Together, they explore the evolving identity of Canadian veterans - from World War II to Afghanistan - and the urgent need to modernize how we define service, deliver care, and uphold our social contract. 

Referenced in this episode: “Coming of Age and Its Related Complexities Among Canada’s Veterans” – a report by the National Institute on Ageing, lead author Dr. Madison Brydges

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Arjo.

Veterans Affairs Canada

The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. Click here to find your local branch.

Veterans Wellness Alliance Ontario is driven by the mission to enhance the quality of life for veterans through comprehensive wellness services and advocacy.

The Veterans Transition Network delivers mental health services specifically for Veterans from coast to coast.

True Patriot Love is Canada’s foundation for the military community, supporting Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families through grants, research, and advocacy to improve well-being, inspire recovery, strengthen families, and foster community connection.

Wounded Warriors Canada specializes in providing culturally informed services that utilize a combination of education, counselling, and training approaches to support resiliency and recovery from post-trauma injuries.

The Veteran Farm Project gives all Veterans the experience of nature through horticulture programs. The incredible by-product of the staff and volunteers' hard work is all the fresh produce grown.

Supporting complex care needs in our long-term care homes is becoming increasingly difficult at times, but it is not impossible. In this conversation, we’re learning how clinical expertise is merging with the mastery of caregiving to create a fast track to a future where complex continuing care is not only comprehensive but truly optimal.



• Andrea Thompson is Vice President of Long Term Care, Community and Hospice at Kensington Health in Toronto. Her career has taken her through a wide range of health care settings including long-term care, acute care, rehabilitation, complex continuing care, and community-based services.  

• Lucia Rocha is President of the Family Council at the Gardens at Kensington Health. As a former caregiver, she knows first-hand what it’s like to support a loved one as their care needs change over time. 

People moving into long-term care are currently living with nearly six different health conditions on average. 87% of them need support with activities of daily living like getting dressed, taking a shower and eating.

With an increasingly diverse population, as well as varying cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs, long term care homes are moving away from cookie-cutter approaches and turning toward what appears to be the key to providing the best complex continuing care – customization.

Resources:

Learn more about the growing number of services being at Kensington Health

SCOPE (Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience) is a virtual, inter-professional care team that connects primary care providers to specialists, hospitals, community care and mental health resources in real-time.

Making the Move to Long-Term Care? Family Councils Ontario has a guide from those who’ve gone through the transition

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, StaffStat.

When we imagine a better future for aging and care, we must begin with those who live it firsthand.  

In this episode, Donna Duncan speaks with two caregivers who share their own experiences of moving loved ones into long term care. 

• Laura Vita became a young caregiver for her father. Now a registered nurse, she brings a powerful mix of personal and professional perspective to this conversation. 
• Christa Haanstra is a national leader in caregiver advocacy — and a caregiver to her father, who lives with front temporal dementia. She’s also the founder of 4C Strategy, where she helps health and community leaders center caregiver voices in care system design. 

While the move to long term care if often perceived as difficult and disconnected, Laura and Christa say it doesn’t have to be. In this conversation, you’ll hear not only about the challenges they faced, but also the relief they felt when they realized their loved ones would be safe and supported in their new homes. If community leads to continuity then caregivers are the ones who show us how best to balance policies and practises with peace of mind for families. 

Resources:

• New to caregiving or looking for peer support? Helpful resources available from the Ontario Caregiver Organization
• Need to coordinate home care or apply to long-term care? Visit Ontario Health atHome 
• Making the Move to Long-Term Care? Family Councils Ontario has a guide from those who’ve gone through the transition
• Worried about significant changes in behaviour in someone you care for? Reach out to Behavioural Supports Ontario
• What’s the vision for a dementia-friendly Ontario? Learn about the Ontario Dementia Care Alliance

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A.

With over 160,000 downloads and growing national reach, this season brings a bold new focus: Rethinking Aging, Reimagining Public Care.



In a time of rising demand and urgent need, we’re challenging old assumptions about long-term care, ageism, and what it means to grow older in Canada. Through honest conversations, powerful stories, and expert insights, we explore how to build a system that truly supports aging with dignity and aging in place. 

This season, you’ll hear from caregivers, community leaders, global innovators and people most affected by how care is delivered. 

Eight thought-provoking episodes. Global perspectives. Real conversations and solutions.

Join us this October, new episodes drop bi-weekly. Follow Coming of Age wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

How do we build a thriving workforce to meet the growing demands of seniors’ care?

With aging populations on the rise, the need for creative solutions in workforce development has never been more urgent. Enter the Living Classroom – a program that integrates education directly into long-term care. This innovative approach is training the next generation of caregivers and health care providers while enriching the lives of residents and care teams through collaboration and shared learning.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with three guests who bring the Living Classroom to life:



• Warda Abbas, a Personal Support Worker at the Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and a recent graduate of the Living Classroom at Mohawk College and Schlegel Villages.
• Christine Bruder, People Opportunities Partner at Schlegel Villages.
• Jennifer Hartwick, Director of Business Development at Schlegel Villages.

Resources:

• Learn about The Living Classroom and get involved
• Listen to the Elder Wisdom: Stories from the Green Bench podcast honouring the wisdom of the elder, ending ageism
• Learn about the work and supports offered by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI-LTC)
• The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable, non-profit organization that enhances the quality of life and care for older adults through research, education, and practice. 

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A.

What does it take to create transformative change in healthcare and senior care?

Around the world, health systems are facing a generational shift as aging populations grow, yet many remain unprepared for the scale of demand. Why has this pivotal moment been so difficult to address? What can we learn from past failures, and how can we pave the way for a radically better future?

In this episode, we explore the essential ingredients for large-scale, systemic transformation: from enabling bold ideas to fostering collaboration and aligning around a shared vision.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with two leaders in quality improvement and healthcare innovation:

• Helen Bevan, Leader and facilitator of large-scale change in health care
• Christina Krause, CEO of Health Quality BC

Resources:

• BC Health Quality Matrix
• National Health Service (UK)
• Healthcare Excellence Canada
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

How can we plan communities of care that work across diverse settings, while balancing the immediate needs of today’s older adults with planning for future generations?

In this episode, we explore redefining seniors’ care. From balancing immediate needs with long-term planning to fostering models of care that prioritize connection, housing and care, this conversation highlights the power of bold ideas and local leadership.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with Aimée Foreman, aging care advisor and CEO of Silvermark based in New Brunswick, Canada.

Discover how a small province with big ideas is charting a path toward a better future for seniors.

Resources:

• Tamarack Institute Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) in Canada
• interRAI collaborative network of researchers and practitioners in over 35 countries committed to promoting evidence-informed clinical practice and policy decision-making 
• In our discussion, Aimée mentions innovative models of care across Canada and around the world. Learn more about these programs:
• Nursing Home Without Walls initiative created in New Brunswick, now receiving support from Healthcare Excellence Canada to spread and scale
• iGen Intergenerational Learning Classroom, a grade 6 classroom embedded into the Sherbrooke Community Centre in British Columbia
• The Oromocto development project recently announced in New Brunswick that will be constructed with four households, 15 residents per household.
• Humanitas Deventer and their student live-in program in the Netherlands
• The Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands
• Trent University Integrated Seniors Village in partnership with peopleCare Communities development project (and listen to our podcast episode here)
• University of Calgary Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, StaffStat.

Elections are taking place around the world and across Canada. What are voters thinking and how is it informing how political parties are making decisions about healthcare and seniors’ care, including long-term care?

This episode dives into these timely issues in two parts:

• Donna Duncan first sits down with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, to explore voter behaviour and trends. Through polling insights, they unpack how aging demographics and voter intentions are shaping the political landscape.
• Then, she moderates a panel discussion with senior political strategists Ginny Roth, Gurratan Singh, and Dan Moulton from Crestview Strategy. Offering perspectives across Canada’s major political parties, they discuss the role of seniors’ care in election platforms and how to make this issue politically relevant.

In a world of polarized politics, this episode uncovers common ground and offers insights that extend across Canada and beyond. Whether you’re in Canada or abroad, the conversation provides a lens on how aging populations can influence elections and what that means for the future of seniors’ care.

Resources:

• Getting ready for the aging Baby Boom generation: a survey

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

What can the United Kingdom teach us about rethinking aging and social care?

In a world that's becoming more interconnected, there's an increasing focus on sharing insights and challenging one another to find innovative solutions for the future of care and reimagining what aging and social care can look like.

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with two inspiring voices:

• Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the National Care Forum 
• Dr. Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care

They discuss the evolving landscape of aging and social care in the United Kingdom. They also explore how collaboration, technology, and person-centered approaches are shaping the future of social care, and the unique lessons we can learn from the UK.

With thought-provoking insights, Vic and Donald share valuable perspectives on creating a compassionate and sustainable system that meets the needs of aging populations everywhere.

Conversations like this one are part of a global dialogue where we connect across systems, embrace technology, and push for flexible, forward-thinking approaches.

Resources: 

• Podcast: Donald Macaskill Shares from his weekly blog 
• The Global Ageing Network



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare. 

When you hear "normal aging," what comes to mind? For many, the concept is clouded by misconceptions and fears about the years ahead. But what if we could embrace aging as a natural, even empowering part of life?

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, geriatrician and author of Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life, to get real about the realities—and the benefits—of aging. They’ll discuss common myths, the surprising ways frailty is misunderstood, and how adapting to life’s later chapters can create a meaningful, fulfilling new normal. With evidence-based insights, Dr. Leipzig shares compelling advice for individuals, caregivers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and society as a whole on thriving through every stage of life.

Resources: 

• Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life by Dr. Rosanne Leipzig 
• Aging 101 tips, myth busters and exercises 
• Learn about the art and life of Grandma Moses 
• Tip sheet: The 5 Ms of Geriatrics 



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO. 

How do we talk with our aging parents about their health, care needs, and life transitions?

More and more of us are entering a phase of life we didn’t quite anticipate—caring for our aging parents. As Canada's population ages, it’s becoming crucial for families to plan ahead and have open, honest conversations about aging and future care needs. Whether in our 30s or 70s, many of us are left asking: Where do we begin?

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with Laura Tamblyn Watts, author of Let’s Talk about Aging Parents and CEO of CanAge. They discuss practical strategies for navigating these conversations, from managing home care and addressing financial planning to approaching more sensitive topics like downsizing and considering long-term care.

The theme is simple: Prepare now, before hard choices must be made later under great stress.

Resources: 

• Let’s Talk About Aging Parents by Laura Tamblyn Watts



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare. 

What does it mean to be a family caregiver in today’s world? In Ontario, more than 4 million individuals step into the role of caregiver, providing essential support to family members, partners, friends, or neighbours. Most caregivers are assisting older adults over 65 who face age-related needs including mobility issues, cognitive impairments like dementia, and cardiovascular concerns. As our population ages, these demands are rising, often placing incredible pressure on caregivers.

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with two inspiring guests:

• Terrence Ho, a family caregiver for more than 30 years
• Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization

Together, they explore the evolving role of caregivers, the growing trends in caregiving responsibilities, and the crucial supports needed to ensure caregivers are not overwhelmed and neglected. Whether you're a caregiver yourself or connected to someone who is, this conversation sheds light on the importance of caring for those who care for others.

Resources:

• Visit the Ontario Caregiver Organization website for supports and tools for caregivers
• Need assistance? Reach out to the caregiver helpline
• Connect with another caregiver through peer support
• Learn about advance care planning with Advance Care Planning Canada

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A powered by StaffStat.

How can we re-think how we build seniors’ communities?

In Canada, innovative partnerships are leading the way in transforming how we think about aging and care. One such groundbreaking initiative is unfolding in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada where Trent University is building a seniors’ village on the university campus, and they are partnering with peopleCare Communities to build and operate a long-term care home. This visionary project brings students and seniors together in a shared space where learning, living, and care are interconnected.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two visionary leaders who are at the helm of this transformative project:

• Dr. Cathy Bruce, President and Vice-Chancellor, Trent University
• Megan Allen-Lamb, President, peopleCare Communities

Listen as they discuss how this collaboration is not just about providing care; it's about creating a space where students and seniors live, learn, and grow together.

Resources:

• Trent Seniors Village
• peopleCare Limitless: A Visionary Strategy
• peopleCare’s Developments
• Trent Centre for Aging and Society
• Trent Intergenerational classroom

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

How do we build a better future for seniors? Seniors’ populations around the world are growing and innovative solutions are crucial to meet their evolving needs. In regions like Ontario, Canada, novel projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are showing us what the future can look like.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Roxana Sultan, Chief Data Officer and Vice President of Health at the Vector Institute, a globally renowned AI institute that is empowering researchers, businesses and governments to develop and adopt AI responsibly.

Listen as Roxana shares insights from AI projects in hospital settings and what this could mean for adoption across broader health care systems, including seniors’ care and long-term care.

Resources:

• AI trust and safety principles by the Vector Institute
• Health AI Implementation Toolkit by the Vector Institute
• Learn about Canada’s University Health Network’s digital tool helping heart failure patients manage symptoms from home
• Learn about GEMINI at Unity Health, Canada’s largest hospital data sharing network for research and analytics

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

How can we address the critical health workforce shortage and build a sustainable future for seniors' care? In Canada, and especially in Ontario, the demand for nurses and personal support workers continues to climb. Ontario alone needs tens of thousands of additional workers to meet the growing care needs and to support new long-term care spaces. This challenge is not unique to Ontario or Canada; it's a global issue affecting healthcare systems worldwide.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two visionary leaders and discuss how to tackle these workforce challenges on a global scale:

• Mansur Dalal, Chairman of CommonAge, founder of the Association of Senior Living in India, and passionate about building sustainable seniors’ care systems and creating career pathways for young people in this field.
• Robyn Stone, Senior Vice President of Research at LeadingAge, Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston, and who has extensive experience in long-term care policy, chronic care, and the aging services workforce. Listen as they share innovative ideas and discuss how regions around the world can collaborate to create opportunities for workers and ensure we all have the support we need as we age.



Thanks for listening to Season 4! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A powered by StaffStat.

Welcome to Season 4 of 'Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population.'

In just four years, the oldest baby boomers will turn 80. By 2040, in Ontario alone, our over-80 population will have nearly doubled. 

For many, these numbers are hard to comprehend. But the reality is, our society is getting older, their health needs are getting more complex, and we’ll need to significantly expand our services to keep up with the demand.

Join us for Season 4 as we peek into the future of care and aging with innovative solutions that are leading the way.

Six powerful new episodes, with experts from around the world coming this September. Subscribe now.

How do we build a better future for seniors? Elderly populations around the world are growing. And in regions like Ontario, Canada, one in five seniors over the age of 80 have complex care needs that currently can only be safely met in long-term care. Yet Ontario has more than 40,000 people waiting for long-term care and the list is growing.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by three Ontario health system leaders from hospital, long-term care and community care:

• Karli Farrow, President and CEO, Trillium Health Partners
• Nitin Jain, President and CEO, Sienna Senior Living
• Tess Romain, President, Partners Community Health

Listen as they discuss the challenges facing leaders today and what opportunities they see for the future.

Resources:

• How to support our frail elderly, a Suggested Action Plan, by leaders across the health sectors in Ontario, who have identified existing solutions that can be expanded to support seniors’ care for our growing, elderly population.
• Harvard Business Review: Create Stories That Change Your Company’s Culture, Work with these six building blocks. by Jay B. Barney, Manoel Amorim, and Carlos Júlio
• Read about Kamaljit’s dream to see Michael Bublé in concert by Sienna Senior Living

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A Powered by StaffStat.

How can communities help more seniors to age in place? Canada’s urban areas are home to a large number of older adults, and more are choosing to live in apartment and condo buildings than ever before.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by a researcher and innovator on naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) in urban centres:

• Jen Recknagel, Senior Design Lead and Director of Innovation and Design, NORC Innovation Centre
• Paula Rochon, Founding Director of Women’s Age Lab at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and Professor of Medicine and the Ontario Chair for the Retired Teachers in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto

Listen as they explore the evolving world of NORCs and how they could make it possible for more seniors to sustain independence longer.

Resources:

• NORC Innovation Centre at the University Health Network
• OpenLab, a design and innovation studio dedicated to finding creative solutions at the intersection of health and society.
• Article: What works best to support older adults to age in place? by Women’s College Hospital
• Survey: Getting ready for the aging Baby Boom generation by the Ontario Long Term Care Association

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Arjo.

How can jurisdictions work across sectors to ensure a better future for all of us as we age? Aging well is multifaceted and requires collaboration to develop and implement innovative and aligned solutions – such as local infrastructure, transportation, housing, health care and social services, education and more.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two U.S. experts on aging services and multi-sector planning. Listen as they explore how states in the U.S. and their governments are leveraging master plans on aging that bring everyone to the table – local infrastructure, housing, health and social services, education and more – to align initiatives and improve services for older adults and their caregivers.

Episode guests:

• Katie Smith Sloan, aging services’ expert, President and CEO of Leading Age in the U.S. and Executive Director of the Global Ageing Network
• Sarita Mohanty, a partner and strategist for California’s multi-sector aging plan and President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation

Resources:

• The SCAN Foundation resources for aging well
• California’s Master Plan for Aging
• How to support our frail elderly, a Suggested Action Plan, by leaders across the health sectors in Ontario, who have identified existing solutions that can be expanded to support seniors’ care for our growing, elderly population.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Arjo.

Are Baby Boomers preparing for their future healthcare needs? In four years, the oldest of the Baby Boom generation will turn 80. By 2040, the population over 80 will double and we know their complex care needs will grow. Until recently however, one of the missing pieces of information in conversations about future seniors’ care planning was how the Baby Boom generation is preparing for potential challenges as they age.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by David Coletto, Chairman and CEO of one of Canada’s leading polling and public opinion research firms: Abacus Data. With a career spanning over two decades, David has devoted his life to exploring what people think and feel about their work and lives.

In May of 2023, the Ontario Long Term Care Association commissioned Abacus Data to survey 1,000 Ontario residents aged 68 to 76 to help with our planning for the future. Listen as we explore what we learned and the implications for Boomers, governments, and seniors’ care providers.

Resources:

·       Getting ready for the aging Baby Boom generation: a survey

·       Abacus Data market and public opinion research agency

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

What does it take to become an accredited nurse in Canada? In a world where healthcare professionals are in high demand, nations are turning to internationally educated nurses to bridge the gap.

In this episode, Donna Duncan invites two internationally educated nurses onto the podcast to share their journey from the Philippines to working in a long-term care home in northern Ontario, Canada.

Episode guests:

·       Mc Leonarld Puno, Registered Practical Nurse, Extendicare Maple View, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and nursing student, Sault College

·   Nanette Garcia, Registered Practical Nurse, Extendicare Maple View, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Resources:

·       Ontario College of Nurses, How to become a nurse in Ontario

·       Services for Internationally Educated Health Professionals

·       Healthforce Ontario’s Community Commitment Program for Nurses which provides grant funding to attract nurses to work in Ontario, Canada

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A Powered by StaffStat.

With an ever-changing demographic landscape, how do we provide care that can be tailored to individual, cultural needs? Also, with an increasing reliance on newcomers to Canada within the caregiving workforce, how do we ensure we are creating inclusive and welcoming work environments? These questions are top of mind with leaders and care providers today – not only in Canada, but around the world.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two leaders in long-term care in Ontario, Canada that operate in culturally diverse communities.

·   Adil Khalfan, President and CEO of Kensington Health that is based in downtown Toronto and offers community-based specialized healthcare services.

·   Dr. San Ng, CEO of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Canada’s largest not-for-profit senior care organization delivering culturally appropriate services to Chinese and other Asian seniors.

Together, they explore cultural proficiency and safety in long-term care homes and the opportunities that are unfolding.

Resources:

·      An introduction to culturally appropriate care and equity, diversity and inclusion by the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care

·       Embracing diversity toolkit developed by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI)

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

As the first of the Baby Boomers soon turn 80, how can technology enhance their lives and help them stay home? Finding the right tools, that make life simpler and easier, is key.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Mike Agerbo, a digital living expert and family caregiver. For nearly 20 years, as a radio, TV and podcast host, Mike has been reporting on breaking news, testing gadgets, and making technology easier to understand – and live with. Mike shares a wealth of knowledge about the technologies that are out there today. How to find them, and most importantly, how to use them to enhance our older loved ones' health, wellness and safety at home.

Resources:

· GetConnected radio show and podcast. Listen to Mike and his team as they bring new technology to you.

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us in two weeks for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each our next episode as soon as it’s released on November 14, 2023.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

How will Canadians balance their caregiving duties with their jobs? As the first of the baby boomers soon turn 80, we expect a growing number of employees in workplaces across Canada with caregiving responsibilities. 

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by a panel of experts discussing elder caregiving and the modern workplace. Listen as they explore the growing trends and implications for employers and for Canadians balancing caring for their elderly loved ones with careers and workplace commitments. As more Canadians find themselves navigating caregiving responsibilities, let’s discuss workplace and societal strategies.

Episode guests:

·   Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada

·   Nora Spinks, Work-Life Harmony Enterprises and seniors’ and family thought-leader

·       Allison Williams, Social Geographer at McMaster University and Research Lead of the Canadian Institute for Health Research/Social Science Humanities Health Research, Healthy Productive Work Partnership Grant

Resources:

·   Conference Board of Canada Reports

o   The time to fix long-term care is now (2020)

o   Sizing up the challenge: Meeting the demand for long-term care in Canada (2017)

·   Resources for employers:

o   Caregiver Friendly Workplace by McMaster University

o   Carer-friendly workplaces, inclusive and accommodating employment practices by Carers Canada

·       Research

o   Balancing Flexibility and Administrative Burden: Experiences of Family Managers Using Directly Funded Home Care in Manitoba, Canada

o   Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

What sage advice for seniors’ care can we learn from others around the world? The cultural frameworks in which we live, work and age guide how we innovate – as governments, communities, and care providers. Stepping out of our own culture and systems, and exploring others, can open our eyes in ways we never expected.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Judy Martin, Australian aged care industry leader, Executive Lead for the SAGE Study Tours program and Senior Executive at ANCHOR Excellence. Judy has led 45 educational tours in over 15 countries to learn how they innovate and care for their elderly populations.

Resources:

·   SAGE, which stands for Studying and Advancing Global Eldercare, is a recognized aged care and retirement living study tour program. Visit SAGEtours.com to learn more and get involved.

·   Global Ageing Network

·   Australia Intergenerational Report 

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released. 

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

Are we psychologically prepared as a society for aging? More and more we are seeing a fear of elderhood and avoidance to talking about its realities. This fuels a cycle of bias that we can change – through healthy discussion and proper support.  

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Dr. Sonu Gaind, a psychiatrist, professor and mental health advocate. Dr. Gaind is the Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, a hospital renowned for its work in mental health research and care. Together, they explore how fear, hope and acceptance are connected in maintaining mental wellbeing as we get older, along with the tools and systems needed to support us all in aging well. 

Resources and extra reading mentioned this episode: 

·       Learn more about Dr. Gaind’s work: https://www.drsonugaind.com/  

·       Learn about positive aging and psychiatry: https://fountainofhealth.ca/  

·       Watch the Japanese film Plan 75 about an imagined dystopian future of a “super-aged society” 

·       Read the book, Anxiety and the Gift of Imagination by Dr. Robin Alter 

·   Read the Surgeon General Advisory on the impact of loneliness and isolation in the United States 

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released. 

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A powered by StaffStat.

How do we learn about and prepare for the natural course of a progressive illness? For patients and their loved ones, the journey includes both hope and grief. A palliative care approach can help us all better understand what to expect and set out realistic goals.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Dr. Samantha (Sammy) Winemaker, a Canadian palliative care physician and co-author with Dr. Hsien Seow of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest. Their work is inspiring a movement to help those receiving care, their caregivers, and healthcare providers to feel prepared and informed through the journey of a life-changing illness. 

Resources:

• Get the book: Hope for the best, plan for the rest
• Learn more about Dr. Winemaker’s work: www.waitingroomrevolution.com

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Arjo.

Why do we make assumptions about people based on their age? Each person is unique, and their age doesn't tell us anything other than how long they've been on the planet.

“Age doesn't tell you what they value. It doesn't tell you what their ideology is. It doesn't tell you about their abilities. Nothing.”

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Tracey Gendron, a gerontologist, activist, and author of Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It. Based out of the Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States, her research led her down a path to explore the roots of ageism, finding glimmers of hope along the way.

Resources:

• Get the book: Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It
• Learn more about Tracey Gendron: https://www.traceygendron.com/

Thanks for listening to Season 3! Join us next week for a new episode. Subscribe to Coming of Age to catch each new episode as soon as it’s released.

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

As baby boomers age, a significant demographic shift is underway. By 2040, the population over 80 will double. But here’s the thing, our perceptions of aging and innovations for seniors’ care have not kept pace.

Let’s change the conversation.

Join us for Season 3 of Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population, coming this September. Subscribe now.

In this episode, Donna is joined by Ashton Applewhite, an anti-ageism advocate, speaker and the author of “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism” and the blog “Yo, Is this Ageist?” Ashton is a writer, an activist, and an internationally recognized expert on ageism who was recently named one of “50 leaders around transforming the world into a better place to grow old” by the Decade of Healthy Ageing platform, a collaboration between the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Ashton has become a leading spokesperson for raising awareness of ageism in society, and how we can all work together to dismantle it. Together, Donna and Ashton discuss what ageism is and how it shows up in society and in our everyday lives. Ashton also shares her perspective on how ageism fuels inequities in healthcare and long-term care. Donna also asks Ashton to share her thoughts on healthy aging, and how internalized and structural ageism keep many of us from living long and aging well. Finally, Ashton provides suggestions for how we can all begin to address ageism and tackle our own personal blindspots, in addition to sharing her thoughts on how we can re-imagine long-term care and seniors’ care in order to best meet the needs of older adults.

Learn more about Ashton Applewhite and her work:

• https://thischairrocks.com/ 
• https://yoisthisageist.com/ 
• https://www.ted.com/speakers/ashton_applewhite

In this episode, Donna is joined by Brent Gingerich, Chairman and CEO of peopleCare Communities, who stepped up to serve as chair of our Board during the height of the pandemic. Highly regarded in the sector, Brent is known for exemplifying values-based leadership throughout the most difficult of times. Brent quite literally grew up in long-term care, in a family deeply committed to public service, and he shares his beliefs on how to create great places for seniors to live, and meaningful places for people to work. He and other leaders across seniors’ care are moving ahead with new innovations to improve the lives of the people in their care, and the lives of their team members. They are leading the changes that we need to see, and the future of seniors’ care will look very different thanks to their efforts.

Learn more about Brent Gingerich and peopleCare Communities:

• https://peoplecare.ca/ 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gingerich/?originalSubdomain=ca

As women access seniors care in Ontario and other jurisdictions around the world, many of them are still frequently encountering gendered ageism and other healthcare inequities. In this episode, Donna discusses this issue with Dr. Paula Rochon, a Senior Scientist and Founder of Women’s Age Lab at Women’s College Hospital and Professor at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Paul Higgs, a sociologist and professor of aging at University College London. During their conversation, they focus on the unique health and wellbeing needs of older women, and the health inequities many of them face today. Paula shares more about the work she and her team is doing at the Women’s Age Lab here in Canada, and Paul provides more information on some of the current innovations in seniors care happening in the U.K. In addition, both guests share their perspectives on ageism in society more generally, including its harmful effects on older women, and gendered ageism in relation to long-term care homes.

Learn more about Dr. Paula Rochon and the Women’s Age Lab:

• https://www.womensresearch.ca/womens-age-lab/ 
• https://www.womensresearch.ca/scientists/core-faculty/paula-rochon 

Learn more about Dr. Paul Higgs:

• https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/people/paul-higgs#:~:text=Paul%20Higgs%20is%20professor%20of,and%20community'%20(2005)

In Ontario alone, the population of people over the age of 85 is set to double over the next 12 years. Currently, there are more than 40,000 people on the waitlist for long-term care in Ontario, while the system is facing significant staffing shortages. It’s time we develop new strategies for meeting the needs of our aging population. In this episode, Donna is joined by John Yip, the president and CEO of SE Health, a large home and community care organization that serves people in Canada and abroad. John brings an extraordinary skill set as a consultant, operator, leader and innovator in our healthcare system, and he has a fascinating perspective to share on how we are going to respond to the challenges our system is facing as the baby boomer generation continues to age. During the episode, John shares his thoughts about how we can strategize to meet the needs of this aging demographic, the benefits of taking a population-based approach and most importantly, how we can begin to think differently about the ways we deliver care. 

Learn more about John Yip: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnyip/?originalSubdomain=ca

To ensure seniors are better supported, it will ultimately be about taking collective responsibility, both across the health system and throughout society, for supporting our aging population. In this episode, Donna is joined by John Hirdes, a professor at the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and a renowned long-term care researcher with nearly 40 years of experience and perspective. John has a wealth of information to share on what’s happening right now in long-term care, the changes he’s seen over the decades, and some very thoughtful advice on what we could be doing differently as a society to support our seniors. He also offers his professional and personal insights into the changes in society that are affecting our seniors, as well as the changes that are needed to ensure seniors are better supported. 

Learn more about John Hirdes: https://uwaterloo.ca/public-health-sciences/people-profiles/john-hirdes

If we hope to provide better support to our ageing population over the coming years, we’ll need to adopt a fresh perspective and reimagine the way we think about the important role of caregivers. In this episode, Donna sits down with Amy Coupal, the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization, to hear her insights about the evolving needs of the ageing population in Ontario and what will be needed going forward if we hope to strengthen support systems for our diverse population of caregivers. As an entrepreneur, educator, and caregiver herself, Amy has a comprehensive view of the needs of seniors and caregivers, and how we can work together to create a more solid foundation of support for everyone.

Learn more about Amy Coupal: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/about-oco/leadership/

In this episode of Coming of Age, Donna shares an inspiring conversation with CEOs Cameron Love of the Ottawa Hospital and Dr. Michael Guerriere of Extendicare. Together, the two organizations run a transitional care unit in one of Extendicare’s long-term care homes, designed for people who no longer need to be in hospital, but who have high care needs and are usually waiting for admission to an appropriate long-term care home. They discuss the significant level of interest in this new model of care, how this innovative partnership came to be, and the “special sauce” that makes it all work. They also discuss how we need to champion collaboration to transform the system and meet the needs of our aging population, and why it will take all of us working together across different parts of the system to create an integrated continuum of living and care.

Learn more about Extendicare and Dr. Michael Guerriere: https://www.extendicare.com/about-extendicare/leadership-team/ 

Learn more about the Ottawa Hospital and Cameron Love: https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/about-us/our-leadership-team/board-of-governors/governors/cameron-love/

As Ontario’s population of seniors continues to grow over the coming years, we will need to reimagine the way we provide care and support. In this episode of Coming of Age, Donna sits down with two experts in aging who are helping to drive this transformation forward through their work: Dr. John Muscedere, the CEO of the Canadian Frailty Network and a professor of critical care medicine at Queen’s University, and Dr. Alex Mihailidis, the CEO of AGE-WELL and a research chair in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network. Together, Donna and her guests discuss strategies for reimagining seniors’ care, including the changes we still need to make as a society to provide a better foundation of support for everyone during the aging process.

Learn more about the Canadian Frailty Network: https://www.cfn-nce.ca/ 

Learn more about the AGE-WELL: https://agewell-nce.ca/

Exploring new innovations in seniors’ care from a global perspective can inspire us and lead to fresh ideas on how we can best support our seniors. In the first episode of Coming of Age’s second season, Donna sits down with Vincenzo Paolino, a specialist in geriatric care equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit. Vincenzo’s background includes a degree in psychology, time spent in psychiatric nursing with a specialty in seniors’ care, and experience as a nursing director in a hospice for people with AIDS as well as a long-term care home, where he and his staff successfully implemented major culture change. He is also the founder of queerAltern, a group that develops housing options for LGBTQI+ seniors. Since 2013, Vincenzo has been operating Almacasa, a collection of residential communities in Europe that take a unique approach to care. During the episode, he shares several inspiring insights and stories that could help us discover new possibilities for the future here in Ontario.

Learn more about Vincenzo Paolino: https://globalageing.org/staff/vincenzo-paolino/

In this special episode of Coming of Age, the script is flipped as Donna takes on the guest hot seat. Instead of asking the questions, this time, Donna provides answers to questions asked by health communications professional Max Stern. Along with his former colleagues at Crestview, Max supported the Ontario Long Term Care Association throughout the pandemic. Together, Donna and Max take the time to catch up and reflect on shared experiences of supporting long-term care over the last few years. They also share some behind-the-scenes stories of what it has been like during this challenging time, the important role of the media, and what changes are needed to care for our seniors now and in the future.

Learn more about Max Stern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-stern/

It’s no secret that society has changed, and we’re asking much more of our health professionals and at a greater speed than ever before. It’s important that we find ways to ensure that our family doctors and other healthcare providers are supported, healthy and not overburdened. In this episode, Donna sits down with Kim Moran, the CEO of the Ontario College of Physicians, to discuss strategies for making this vision a reality. An accountant by training, Kim is also the former CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario. Kim brings a unique perspective to thinking about public policy and healthcare, and she always comes to the table with solutions—not just challenges. During the episode, Kim shares examples of healthcare programs and solutions that are working well within their communities, and which areas are still in need of structural reform.  Donna and Kim’s discussion echoes many of the conversations that are happening today throughout the health system, and what we’ve been advocating for in long-term care for many years: a greater support system for healthcare workers to help them avoid burnout and provide high-quality care to patients. 

Learn more about Kim Moran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmoran/?originalSubdomain=ca

As Canada’s population of seniors continues to grow, the country’s healthcare landscape is also shifting. It’s a time of great challenge and opportunity as we continue to find new ways of working together and creating better outcomes for those in need. In this episode, Donna discusses this issue with guest Dr. Jane Philpott, the Dean of Medicine at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, a former federal cabinet minister, a family physician, and most importantly, someone who has devoted her life to improving public, community and family health. Dr. Philpott brings a variety of unique experiences to the table, including her response during the pandemic to the local community in need, helping those who couldn't help themselves, and always championing empathy, compassion and a bias towards action. She speaks about the new strategic plan at Queen's University, which is anchored in revolution, disruption, radical change and action, explaining the process she and her team followed to come up with the framework. Donna and Dr. Philpott also discuss some of the changes healthcare professionals will need to set in motion in order to create a better system for all.

Learn more about Dr. Jane Philpott: https://familymedicine.queensu.ca/familymedicine/faculty-staff/faculty/jane-philpott

The transition to a long-term care setting can bring up a range of emotions for both a new resident and their care partners. The transition can produce feelings of anxiety and fear in seniors and is often the source of tremendous guilt and uncertainty for family members. In this episode of Coming of Age, Donna sits down with Deborah Bakti, a seniors’ care consultant, speaker, coach, and trainer who helps build positive connections in seniors' homes. She worked in seniors’ care for 11 years prior to starting her own business, and she also lived through the transitions when her husband and parents moved into long-term care and retirement home settings. During the episode, Donna and Deborah discuss how her experiences have equipped her to and understand the process of transitioning into long-term care inside and out, and how families and care teams can build strong connections with each other during this significant life change.