Aging is complex and unique to every person. While researchers and experts in the field of aging may have decades of experience and knowledge, residents have unique and valuable firsthand experience of aging themselves.  That’s why the Ontario Centres for Research, Learning, and Innovation (CLRI) at the RIA prioritizes co-design – the inclusion of community members, specifically older adults,  as equal collaborators – when developing programs and courses. Persons with lived experience bring unique and valuable insights to the conversation. They provide personal perspectives and they ..read more

Navigating through the seemingly endless challenges presented by COVID-19, studies like COVID in LTC are paving the way for a more informed approach for older adults in senior living settings.  Co-led by Andrew Costa, Schlegel Research Chair in Clinical Epidemiology and Aging, and Dawn Bowdish, Associate Professor at McMaster University and a Canada Research Chair in Aging and Immunity, the COVID in LTC study unveils the importance of the timing of vaccinations in maintaining immunity. The study provides pivotal evidence that immunity wanes over time, and optimal immunity is achieved one ..read more

Spine fractures, the most frequent osteoporotic fracture, can cause severe chronic pain, spinal deformity, and functional disability, leading to a diminished quality of life and increased mortality. They are also associated with psychological distress like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Early detection and proper management by health-care professionals are crucial to enhancing patient outcomes. Lora Giangregorio, Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging, was a key contributor to The Royal Osteoporosis Society’s new guidance for health-care professionals to improve the managemen ..read more

As we age, our bodies change, and so does the way we process medication. Combine this with the fact that older adults often have to manage multiple medications for various health conditions, and it’s easy to see how things can get tangled up. While accurate medication lists are necessary to prevent these events, the accuracy of the lists shared during eConsults or asynchronous virtual care for older adults has been unexplored until now. Dr. Joanne Ho, Schlegel Chair in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy, studied the frequency and nature of discrepancies on the medication lists provided by the referring ..read more

A new study exploring the cost-effectiveness analysis of MINT Memory Clinics has found a net cost savings of $51,500 per patient, compared to those in Ontario without the service, with improvement in quality of life for those living with dementia. The study, titled “Cost-utility analysis of a multispecialty interprofessional team dementia care model in Ontario, Canada,” was published in BMJ Open and underscores the potential of MINT to alleviate the strain on Ontario’s healthcare system and improve the quality of care for those living with dementia by offering family doctors improved access to ..read more

A legacy of participation and giving It started with a simple research participation certificate. The certificate arrived in the mail shortly before Kerry Townson’s mother passed away in 2015. As a resident of a retirement home in Kitchener, Ontario, Joyce Townson participated in an RIA research project that focused on blood flow and balance. Research students visited her regularly to test her balance and complete a questionnaire. Joyce loved working with the young students, and giving back through research in her final years meant a great deal to her. The certificate was the simple acknowledg ..read more

One day in a resident’s life.  One day, we will all be older.  One day, a person-centred approach will be how older adults everywhere are cared for. Each of these statements inspired the newly developed One Day virtual workshop, an instructor-led eight-hour training focused on building a person-centred culture in senior living settings.  Co-designed with people living and working in senior living settings, in addition to subject matter experts in education, facilitation and culture change, this unique course integrates the experiences and expertise of many to create a more impac ..read more

We are delighted to welcome three leading researchers to our world-class research team. Dr. Sophiya Benjamin, Laura Middleton, and Tejal Patel.  Together with our existing 12 Schlegel Research Chairs and 2 Schlegel Specialists, our new researchers will tackle the biggest issues facing an aging population, specifically in medication management, mental health, and dementia prevention and well-being. Laura Middleton | Schlegel Research Chair in Dementia and Active Living Middleton identifies lifestyle strategies to promote the well-being and independence of those living with, or at risk for ..read more

We are pleased to announce Sophiya Benjamin as the Schlegel Chair in Mental Health and Aging at McMaster University and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA). This appointment comes as a recognition of her outstanding contributions to the fields of geriatric psychiatry, geriatric medicine, and patient-centered care. Benjamin’s career has been dedicated to enhancing the care of older adults in Canada. As the co-founder and co-executive director of GeriMedRisk, a virtual care startup company incubated and supported by the RIA, she empowers clinicians across Canada through education ..read more

The power of arts and creativity to enhance the lives of older adults is invaluable. From gardening to listening to music, everyone can enjoy the benefits of creativity. We sat down with Kate Dupuis, Schlegel Innovation Leader in Arts & Aging, to discuss how arts-based activities can enrich your life. Could you tell us about how arts and creativity can enhance your life? Participating in arts-based activities has been shown to help older adults in many different domains of well-being – physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. You don’t have to be actively participating to see the ..read more