John K. Friesen Conference
2018
Social Isolation to Inclusion
This conference addressed the issue of seniors isolation from a variety of perspectives - micro, meso and macro; individual to society. Among topics covered ageism, the lack of affordable housing that is plaguing Canada's big cities, and ways in which social isolation render older adults vulnerable to victimization by persons in a position where there is an expectation of trust (elder abuse, neglect) as well as to mass media exploitation. Innovations in policy and practice were discussed - that is, ways in which we as a society can help people to move from isolation to inclusion or prevent isolation from happening in the first place.
Day 1 — May 16, 2018
| Keynote: Identifying, Measuring and Targeting Loneliness in Older Communities and How Campaigning Can Achieve a Step Change in Awareness | Angela Kitching, Head, External Affairs, Age UK |
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Panel 1: "The Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors (SILAS) Project: Final Report from the City of Vancouver Seniors' Advisory Committee" |
Eddy Elmer (Convener), Carol Ann Young, Anthony Kupferschmidt, Andrew Wister | Powerpoint |
| Panel 2: “Allies in Aging: A Collective Impact Initiative to Reduce Seniors Isolation” | Mariam Larson, Backbone Lead, Allies in Aging (Convener) Stephanie Williams, Kimberly Barwich, Claudine Matlo, Joanne Franko, Wynona Giannasi |
Powerpoint |
Panel 3: Housing and Living Arrangements in Later Life and Their Influence on Social Connectedness |
Chair: Habib Chaudhury, Chair, Department of Gerontology SFU Andrew Middleton, Affordable Housing Consultant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Elizabeth Tang, Knowledge Transfer Consultant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation |
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| Panel 4: “Retirement Communities: Abundant Opportunities That Help End Isolation” | Sylvia Ceacero, MBA, MA, CEO BC Seniors Living Association (Convener), Marc Kinna, Marian Heemskerk, Charles and Marjorie Grierson | Powerpoint |
Panel 5: “Supporting Communities to Address Social Isolation and Increase Access to Community Supports for BC Seniors” |
Kahir Lalji, MA, CPG - Provincial Director, Healthy Aging, United Way of the Lower Mainland (Convener), Barbara McMillan, Laura Kadowaki, Annwen Loverin | Powerpoint |
| Public Lecture: No One Should Have No One: Tackling Loneliness Together | Angela Kitching | Head, External Affairs, Age UK | Powerpoint |
Day 2 — May 17, 2018
Panel 6: “The Compassionate City: De-Isolating Dying, Death, & Loss in New Westminster, BC |
Brock Nicholson, Founding Member & Board Director, New West Hospice Society (Convener), Eman Hassan, Laura Cherrille, Heather Mohan, John Stark | Powerpoint |
Panel 7: “Building a Dementia-friendly Province: Inclusion Throughout the Journey” |
Maria Howard, CEO, Alzheimer Society of BC (Convener), Heather Cowie, Carol Ann Young, Mario Gregoria, Jan Robson | Powerpoint |
| Panel 8: Diversity and Social Isolation | Gloria Gutman (Convener), Sharon Koehn, Cass Elliott, Delphine Labbe, Paul Mick |