Highlights 2022
December 15, 2022
As we reflect on the year 2022, we are pleased to highlight some of the notable achievements and appointments from the past 12 months. This year, we were able to drive innovation on an unprecedented scale, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our researchers, team members, volunteers, students, donors, partners, and engaged older adults and care partners. We are grateful for their contributions and are excited to share some of our key accomplishments below.
Richard Hughson, Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain Health, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Hughson, also a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, conducts award-winning research on human cardiorespiratory responses to exercise and physical inactivity. His work has profoundly influenced scholars and research directions for two generations in Canada and around the world with more than 268 peer-reviewed publications cited more than 20,000 times, strong mentorship for over 60 graduate students, and keen sensitivity to translating research for the public. Read more.
The Ontario CLRI at the RIA launched PREP LTC to support long-term care homes for optimal clinical placements, a $73M program funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Now in the middle of a three-year period, backfill funds are being sent to Ontario long-term care (LTC) homes to support more than 15,000 student placements and train more than 17,000 preceptors in homes across the province. PREP LTC is working to build a highly-skilled workforce to address the staffing needs of the LTC sector. Read more.
Earlier this year, the CHOICE+ Champions for Change e-Learning course was launched for leaders who want to implement the CHOICE+ principles in their homes. CHOICE+ is an innovative program that aims to improve the mealtime experience in senior living by focusing on relationship-centred practices. The program was co-developed as a partnership between the RIA, Heather Keller, Schlegel Research Chair in Nutrition and Aging and Sarah Wu, PhD. Read more.
Cosmin Munteanu was appointed the new Schlegel Research Chair in Technology for Healthy Aging, bringing a new and rapidly expanding research topic to the RIA. Munteanu, who is also an associate professor with the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, focuses on facilitating meaningful and safe interactions between older adults and digital media devices. Read more.
30 care partners and older adults living with dementia from across Canada shared their insights, wisdom, and unique experiences at six MAREP panel discussion webinars. There were two series of 3 panels – one with people living with dementia and the other with care partners.
RIA founder and chairman, Ron Schlegel, was elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellowship. Dr. Schlegel’s selection as a Fellow of CAHS is recognition of the excellence of his work as a leader in Canadian health sciences and his lifelong commitment to enhancing care for older adults in Canada. The CAHS Fellowship is considered one of the highest honours for members of the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and Canadian society. Read more.
Walk with Me 2022 provided the forum we all needed to reconnect, reimagine and recommit to changing the culture of aging in Canada. 350 older adults, care partners, educators, policymakers, students and researchers from all over the country came together virtually to learn with and from each other about how to enhance the journey of aging across the continuum of care and community living.
The RIA team grew to support our growing list of programs and projects. With new project teams, we now have more opportunities to pursue solutions to challenges facing the older adult population. Our team of dedicated individuals perform in various multidisciplinary roles to enhance life and quality of care for older adults now, and for generations to come.