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 involvedListen to the Elder Wisdom: Stories from the Green Bench podcast honouring the wisdom of the elder, ending ageismLearn 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.
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How to make big change happen
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 careChristina Krause, CEO of Health Quality BC Resources:BC Health Quality MatrixNational Health Service (UK)Healthcare Excellence CanadaInstitute for Healthcare Improvement This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.
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Connection, housing and care: Redefining caring for older adults
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 CanadainterRAI 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 scaleiGen Intergenerational Learning Classroom, a grade 6 classroom embedded into the Sherbrooke Community Centre in British ColumbiaThe 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 NetherlandsThe Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the NetherlandsTrent 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.
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Is care for seniors influencing how political parties are making decisions?
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.
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Aging and social care’s evolving landscape in the UK
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 CareThey 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 NetworkThis episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.
About Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population
By 2040, the population over 80 will more than double, but our perceptions of aging and plans for seniors’ care innovation have not kept pace.
Let’s change the conversation.
Coming of Age features host Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, in lively discussions with national and international experts on ageism and how to reimagine seniors’ care.
Listen to Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population, The Find Out Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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