Dialogue on Aging
Monday, May 7, 2007

Reflections on Aging and Contributions by Seniors

Three speakers provided their perspective on questions like: What does it mean to be a senior? As older adults, what factors influence the way in which we age? As older adults, what makes our lives meaningful from physical, social, intellectual and spiritual perspectives? Over 45,000 Manitoba seniors volunteered in 2000 spending close to 8.8 million hours in volunteer activities. Are their contributions being recognized?

Speakers: Evelyn Shapiro, C. M., The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer, Ron O'Donovan, C. M.

Morning Concurrent Sessions (11:00 - 12:00 noon)

All About Teeth: Issues Around Oral Health

Poor oral health can lead to serious consequences, even death! Dr. Payne provided an overview of how oral health is related to overall health. Ms. Wener highlighted oral health challenges in long-term care and discussed outreach programs the Faculty of Dentistry's Centre for Community Oral Health and School of Dental Hygiene provided to help improve oral health care among older adults.

Speakers: Dr. Barbara Payne, Mickey Wener

Sexuality and Older Adults: Issues and Answers

Sexuality in older adults is a topic that is often ignored. The two speakers in this session addressed age-associated changes and other issues from both women's and men's perspectives.

Speakers: Dr. Richard Boroditsky, Dr. Anne Katz

Perception and Action: Aging, Stroke, and Alzheimer's Disease

One of the most debilitating aspects of Alzheimer's Disease is that one day, family members and friends will no longer be recognized. In his Perception and Action Laboratory at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Marotta and Ms. Adduri study how face recognition changes in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.

Speakers: Dr. Jonathan Marotta, Cassandra Adduri

Afternoon Keynote (1:00 - 2:00)

Elder Friendly Care: Improving Care of Older Adults in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

What is 'elder friendly' care? How do we make hospitals and nursing homes more elder-friendly? In this session the Winnipeg Regional Health Authorities' initiatives to make hospitals more elder-friendly were outlined. In addition, innovative ways to make nursing homes more elder-friendly were discussed.

Speakers: Jo-Ann McKenzie, Laura Devlin

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions (2:30 - 3:30)

Emergency Preparedness: What Do Seniors Say? What Do They Need to Know?

Disasters affect everyone differently and we all have contributions to make to a prepared community. Seniors face special challenges and have unique perspectives to add. This session focussed on the factors that concentrate vulnerability and ways seniors can engage in planning.

Speakers: John Lindsay, Toni Morris-Oswald

Who Cares for the Caregiver? Interventions Designed to Reduce Stress

It is increasingly well known that there are physical and mental health risks associated with being a caregiver of a cognitively impaired and/or physically frail older adult. Dr. Mackenzie discussed interventions he has designed that are aimed at reducing stress among formal and informal caregivers.

Speakers: Dr. Corey Mackenzie, Norma Kirkby

Manitoba's Nursing Homes: Quality of Care and Staff Issues

This session focussed on nursing homes from two perspectives. Dr. Doupe presented findings of a study comparing nursing homes in Manitoba on 10 quality of care indicators. Dr. Hallman discussed health care aides workplace experiences, focussing on those working in rural PCHs and the conditions they face due to changes such as regionalization and the increasing needs of those for whom they provide care.

Speakers: Dr. Malcolm Doupe, Dr. Bonnie Hallman

Click here to see more pictures from the symposium.