Community of Innovation Podcast: Recent Episodes
CABHI
CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast is where topics on ingenuity, aging and brain health collide. Join us as we talk to experts in healthcare, research, technology and business, as well as older adults and their caregivers, about the innovative practices and healthtech solutions helping us all lead longer, healthier lives.
CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast continues in our series of episodes featuring conversations from the CABHI Summit 2023. This episode features a first-hand telling of disruptions in brain health innovation occurring in Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, Japan, and Canada.
Our hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong kick off this insightful discussion by a global panel of experts: Faith Malach, (Executive Director, Care Transformation and Innovation, Baycrest, Canada), Keren Etkin (publisher of TheGerontechnologist, Israel), Yasuko Akutsu (Associate Professor, Patient Support Department, Chiba University Hospital, Japan), and Mide Seyi-Ajayi (Executive Director, Baycrest Health Sciences, Canada).
In this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong are joined again by guests Maggie Perquin and Sylvia Davidson for our second of two episodes on sexuality, intimacy, and aging.
In our previous episode, Maggie and Sylvia explored the importance of intimacy in the aging journey, the challenges that 2SLGBTQI+ couples face, and how healthcare can better support people living with dementia and their partners. In today’s episode, we will be doing a deeper dive into the often taboo nature of the topic; how we need to broaden our definition of intimacy beyond intercourse; and real-life examples of stigma and issues of sexuality and intimacy in healthcare environments.
With the rising number of reports of older adults experiencing scams and crimes in recent months, this episode explores the issue of financial abuse of older adults – whether through scams, identity theft, or fraud. Hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong chat with guests Bénédicte Schoepflin, Kelly Heisz, and Jeff Horncastle about common scams, how to identify and detect them, what to do when facing one, and strategies to protect oneself from these crimes.
Get moving, get sweating, and embrace that burn. All that sweat looks good on you!
In this episode, our guests dive deep into the benefits of exercise and physical movement not only for the body but also for the brain. Hear all about the latest research on how exercise can positively impact older adults and their lived experiences and how physical movement can be a healthy outlet for the body, mind, and spirit.
Hosted by Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong (CABHI). Featuring Dr. Jennifer Heisz (Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging and Associate Professor from McMaster University) and Lata Pada (Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of SAMPRADAYA Dance Creations, an award-winning company at the forefront of Indian dance in Canada).
Increasingly, there’s been a lot of talk in the media about how new technologies are transforming the way we age. Join CABHI President and Chief Scientist Dr. Allison Sekuler as she talks to some of the titans of the agetech landscape about the future of technology and aging, the role agetech will play in the lives of older adults and caregivers, and what these innovations mean for our collective physical and mental well-being.
Moderated by Dr. Allison Sekuler. Featuring Dr. Alex Mihailidis (AGE-WELL), Dr. David Lindeman (CITRIS, CTA), Sasha Spellman (AARP Innovation Labs), Erica Lloyd (Soul Machines), and Clara (Soul Machines).
After 75-year-old immigrant mother, Rebecca Danigelis was fired without cause from her lifelong job as a hotel housekeeper, her son Sian-Pierre Regis took her on a bucket list adventure to reclaim her life. As Rebecca struggled to find work, Sian-Pierre lovingly documented her journey in his celebrated film Duty Free – uncovering the economic insecurity shaping not only his mother’s future but that of an entire generation.
In this episode, Rebecca and Sian-Pierre join moderator Felicia Brown as they talk about the film and how their own personal life journeys intersect with the issues near and dear to their hearts: ageism, caregiving, and economic insecurity for older adults.
CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast is proud to continue our series of episodes featuring conversations from the CABHI Summit 2022. This episode is the series’ third installment.
The dramatic confluence of social, health, economic, and political crises around the world has shone a revealing light on inequalities at so many levels and has increased the level of urgency to create healthy environments for all ages. Join our international panel as they delve into some of the challenges, opportunities, and creative solutions that communities have encountered on the way to building age-friendly and dementia-friendly environments.
Moderated by Bianca Stern (CABHI). Featuring Dr. Jane Barratt (International Federation on Ageing), Myrna Norman (Dementia Advocacy Canada), and Catherine McGuigan(National Age Friendly Ireland Programme).
CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast is proud to continue our series of episodes featuring conversations from the CABHI Summit 2022. This episode is the series’ second installment.
The experience of being an older adult, a caregiver, or a person living with dementia comes with unique challenges no matter one’s identity – but we’ve known for a long time those challenges are magnified for people of colour, Indigenous peoples, and members of the LGBTQ2+ community, among others. The panel draws on their professional and personal experiences to explore some of the challenges members of diverse populations – including those with intersecting identities – face as they age, and how we might work toward a future of health equity for all.
Featuring Laura Tamblyn Watts, Jason Resendez, Aisha Adkins, and Elder Dr. Mary Wilson.
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong welcome Samantha Gardner, Co-founder of Sunshine Connected, as well as Jackie Tanner, a gerontological social worker and National Manager and Clinical Lead for Canada HomeShare. They discuss common misconceptions about the generational divide and how their organizations are enabling intergenerational learning and relationships through innovative digital platforms and housing approaches.
In this episode -- the second in a two-part conversation -- Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong interview Drs. Hsien Seow and Samantha Winemaker, hosts of the Waiting Room Revolution podcast, about shifting our approach to death and dying when it comes to serious illness.
In our previous episode, Sammy and Hsien shared with our audience their seven key ways to be prepared and hopeful when facing serious illness. In today’s episode, we will be doing a deeper dive into our current understanding about the palliative care journey around illness; and, more specifically, age-related illnesses like dementia.
In this episode, Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong interview Drs. Hsien Seow and Samantha Winemaker, hosts of the Waiting Room Revolution podcast, about shifting our approach to death and dying when it comes to serious illness.
In this episode we’ll discuss the ways our current understanding about illness and death shape the palliative care experience for patients and family members. Our guests will also share some helpful tips for staying hopeful and prepared when facing a serious illness.
CABHI's Community of Innovation podcast is proud to introduce a series of episodes featuring conversation from the CABHI Summit 2022. This episode is the series' first installment.
In this candid and moving session, our panel of family caregivers – all of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one living with dementia – give us a glimpse into their world. They share how their caregiving experiences have naturally empowered them to become leaders in their communities in unique ways. More than sharing just their stories, they move us to action by depicting the supports and policies for caregivers they want to see implemented in their vision of the future.
Featuring Ron Beleno (CABHI Seniors Advisory Panel) and Cindy McCaffery (YouQuest), moderated by Dr. Adriana Shnall (Baycrest).
During her recent fight with cervical cancer, Rachel Bartholomew had an epiphany. She realized that far too many women were left to navigate pelvic health challenges in the dark. To address this problem, Rachel founded Hyivy Health – a company providing a 3-in-1 pelvic rehab system that connects patients and clinicians to improve support and education around the pelvic health journey.
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong sit down with Rachel to discuss her journey as a femtech entrepreneur, the stigma preventing women from receiving quality pelvic healthcare, and the unique pelvic health challenges facing women from underrepresented communities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community.
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong speak with octogenarian Molly Sutkaitis about aging well and smashing stereotypes about older adults.
In this candid conversation, Molly shares her inspirational story about growing up in Glasgow, Scotland during the Second World War, her previous involvement in activist group the Raging Grannies, and the life experiences that motivated her to pursue a master’s degree in theology, which she received at the age of 88.
What is dementia? Is it a normal part of aging? These are just some of the questions that we’ll be answering on this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast.
In honour of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we’re teaming up with Dr. Howard Chertkow (Professor of Neurology at the University of Toronto, Senior Scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, and Scientific Director of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging), Maria Muzzi (Social Worker at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto), and Laura McGill (Public Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto) to debunk common myths surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Resources:
- ALZeducate.ca
- Monthly drop-ins at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto
CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast has officially wrapped up its second season! Listen to this compilation episode to hear nuggets from some of our best interviews with the movers and shakers in the longevity sector. This episode features interviews from guests who are tackling the toughest challenges surrounding aging, brain health, and equity, diversity and inclusion within the startup and health innovation ecosystem.
Take a walk down memory lane with hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong, as well as production team member Arielle Ricketts, as they reminisce on their favourite episodes from season two.
Subscribe to the Community of Innovation podcast to hear new episodes from season three starting in January 2022.
Food. It fuels us, brings us together, and makes up a large part of our cultural heritage. As we age, food and nutrition play an even more important role in our lives by helping to support cognitive and physical health. On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, guests Dr. Carol Greenwood, Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, and Toronto Chef Nuit Regular come together to discuss all the ways food impacts our sense of well-being and quality of life and how our relationship with food changes across our lifespan.
Learn more about our guests
Chef Nuit Regular
Chef Nuit Regular is the Executive Chef and co-owner of PAI; Kiin, By Chef Nuit; Sabai Sabai; and Sukhothai. It all began when Chef Nuit opened the humble Curry Shack in the small town of Pai, in Northern Thailand. She made the decision to leave her career as a nurse so that she could share her passion and life experiences through family recipes, street market dishes, and Royal Thai cuisine in Canada. The first Thai SELECT Ambassador for Canada, Chef Nuit has been recognized by the government of Thailand for the authenticity of her Thai cooking and was awarded the prestigious Thai SELECT Signature designation for her restaurants. She is a resident judge on Food Network Canada's Wall of Chefs, the author of Kiin: Recipes and Stories from Northern Thailand, winner of a 2021 International Association of Culinary Professional’s Cookbook Award, as well as the gold medal winner of the 2021 Taste Canada Award. Chef Regular recently celebrated the opening of her brand-new restaurant, Selva.
Dr. Carol Greenwood
Dr. Carol Greenwood is a Nutritional Scientist who joined Baycrest’s Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit in 1994. She later became a member of the Rotman Research Institute (RRI). Her work examined the links between diet, physiology, cognition, and dementia with a focus on developing nutrition strategies for brain health. Her work, spanning basic (rodent) research to cognitive neuroscience and applied intervention research, helped pave the way for the evidence-based Brain Health Food Guide. She is currently Professor Emeritus, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, and Senior Scientist Emeritus, RRI.
Resources
- The Brain Health Food Guide – Dr. Carol Greenwood
- Kiin: Recipes and Stories from Northern Thailand – Chef Nuit Regular
For this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation Podcast, Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong sit down with agetech experts Keren Etkin and Ron Beleno to explore emerging technology trends shaking up the longevity sector. Our guests also share their projections for the future of agetech (think flying cars and the Jetsons), while reminding us that great technology should only exist to help us do more of what we love – whether that’s enjoying our favourite hobbies or staying in touch with our families as we age.
Learn more about our guests
Keren Etkin
Keren is the author of The Age Tech Revolution: a Book About the Intersection of Technology and Aging (set to be published in December 2021) and the creator of TheGerontechnologist.com, a media platform that covers the global agetech ecosystem and offers online courses through the Age Tech Academy. Named one of the most influential people in aging, Keren is a sought-after public speaker and advisor for agetech startups, investors in the longevity economy, care providers, and organizations who work on innovation in aging. Previously, Keren was the first employee at Intuition Robotics, a CABHI-supported startup behind ElliQ, the world’s first social robot designed with and for older adults, and co-founder & VP of Product at Sensi.Ai, a startup that developed the first and only artificial intelligence solution for remote care monitoring. She holds a M.A. in Gerontology and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences.
Ron Beleno
Ron is an experienced family caregiver to his late father who lived well with Alzheimer’s disease for over 10 years. He is an advocate in the dementia and aging community, with expertise in technology, aging in place, caregiving, and patient engagement. Ron is especially interested in dementia and age-friendly communities, living safely, remote caring, and research.
Ron is also the co-chair for AGE-WELL NCE’s Older Adults and Caregiver Advisory Committee; advisor and presenter for Alzheimer’s societies and dementia organizations locally and internationally; a member of the City of Toronto’s Senior Strategy Accountability Table, and a collaborator/advisor to many research, industry, and startup organizations. In current and past endeavors, Ron has successfully started non-profit and commercial enterprises, worked in collaboration with federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and is constantly networking in various communities to bring key stakeholders together.
Check-out the resources shared by our guests
- Leap by the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation
- AGE-WELL
- The Gerontechnologist
In this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, author and journalist Moira Welsh talks about her book Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care, and the idea that aging can and should be a fun and fulfilling moment in our life’s journey.
For Welsh, growing older should come with opportunities to learn new things, enjoy hobbies, and discover more about ourselves and the people around us. “We can always aim high to improve ourselves, no matter our age or ability,” she argues.
In this fireside chat, first aired at the 2021 CABHI Summit, Welsh highlights initiatives that are helping older adults, especially those living in long-term care homes, pursue their potential in the later stages of life. One of these initiatives is the CABHI-supported Albert Project, created in collaboration with long-term care provider Primacare Living Solutions and media production company Crosswater Digital Media. The project provides residents living with dementia therapeutic virtual reality experiences to reduce the need for behavioural management medication.
Listen to this conversation, hosted by Baycrest President & CEO Dr. William Reichman, to hear more from Welsh on the ways the longevity sector and society at large can shift perspectives on aging to one where we can, indeed, live happily ever older.
Learn more about Moira Welsh
Moira Welsh is an investigative reporter with the Toronto Star. She has written extensively on seniors’ issues, with a focus on long-term care, along with issues related to social justice, health, and the environment. Moira has co-authored investigations that have won three National Newspaper Awards and a Michener Award for Public Service Journalism. She was also a finalist for the Justicia Award for Legal Reporting and the Canadian Hillman Prize for journalism in service of the common good. She is the author of Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care, about evolving ways to live in our later years.
What would COVID-19 mortality rates look like if we had known from the very beginning of the pandemic that the virus would also affect young and healthy people?
This is the question that begins Ashton Applewhite’s fireside chat, featured on this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, where she exposes the ageist and ableist attitudes behind the neglect and marginalization of older adults witnessed throughout the pandemic.
Listen to this episode to hear Applewhite tackle these important topic, and also prescribe her solution for a more inclusive society where everyone can be respected and valued regardless of their age or ability.
To learn more about Ashton Applewhite, or her book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, visit thischairrocks.com.
In his recent book, Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada’s Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic, André Picard reveals the full extent of the crisis in eldercare and offers an urgently needed prescription to fix a broken system. For Picard, improving long-term care will require us to change the way we think about aging. As he points out in this keynote, first aired at the CABHI Summit 2021, we must shift towards a person-centred elder care model where aging is celebrated, and older adults are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
The current COVID-19 healthcare crisis has accelerated the development and adoption of aging and brain health innovations around the world. From robots to AI-powered fall detection systems, the longevity market is seeing a boom in agetech products that aim to improve the quality of life for older adults living at home or in long-term care facilities.
Where we once crawled, we’ve learned to sprint. Many countries, including Canada, are incorporating technology into dementia care faster than ever before.
But is technology the answer to all of our aging challenges? How can we use technology in an ethical and equitable way?
On this episode of the Community of Innovation Podcast, Dr. Allison Sekuler and panelists Yasuko Akutsu (President & CEO of MT Healthcare Design Research Inc, Japan), George MacGinnis (Healthy Aging Challenge Director, UK Research and Innovation), Bridgette Murphy (Managing Director and COO of AGE-WELL), and Jason Resendez (Executive Director of the USAgainstAlzheimer’sCenter for Brain Health Equity) tackle these questions in a public lecture that first aired at the 2021 Rotman Research Institute Conference.
LGBTQ2+ older adults may experience significant barriers to healthcare that can make them reluctant to embrace their full identities while living in long-term care and community settings. The fear of discrimination may prevent them from seeking medical attention or disclosing their desires for advanced care if they are living with a chronic condition such as dementia. To address these challenges, Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow, Director of Spiritual Care at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, created Aging Out – a CABHI-supported initiative designed to disseminate best practices in LGBTQ2+ aging, health, and dementia care among front-line healthcare workers.
This episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast is about the barriers facing women and entrepreneurs of colour when it comes to getting their startups off the ground. Our guests, Ling Ly Tan, CEO & Founder, Linggo and Aaron Walker, CEO, Camelback Ventures, share their thoughts on the state of EDI practices in the startup world today. They also share practical advice for ways investors can increase opportunities for marginalized groups.
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation Podcast, our guests Dr. Jane Barratt (Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing)and Marcia Weisbrot (Art Therapist and Educator at City College of San Francisco) challenge us to think of age-friendly communities as more than a physical space.
We’ll learn that age-friendly communities are environments where residents, especially older adults, are equipped to thrive. As Dr. Barratt puts it, “It’s not what age-friendly communities look like, but what they feel like.” As a member of the San Francisco Village, a thriving community organization led by older adults, Marcia Weisbrot shares how age-friendly spaces can combat ageism by bringing everyone together in meaningful ways.
Together with hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong, our guests shed light on what it really means to build communities that support intergenerational learning, independence, and inclusivity.
Throughout this conversation we also explore the role of technology and innovation in building age-friendly communities and how these tools can enhance accessibility for residents of all ages.
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, we take a deeper look at the national dementia strategy with Dr. William E. Reichman (President and CEO, Baycrest) and Dr. Saskia Sivananthan (Chief Research & Knowledge Translation & Exchange (KTE) Officer, Alzheimer Society of Canada) to learn more about its goals, how it will impact the lives of everyday Canadians, especially those living with dementia and their caregivers, and how innovation will play a role in bringing this strategy to life.
Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen an influx of digital aging and brain health solutions designed to mitigate the virus’ impact on older adults, especially those living with dementia. Many of these solutions address social isolation, poor mental health, and a lack of access to quality on-demand healthcare.
On the latest episode of our Community of Innovation Podcast, we’ll hear what older adults have to say about some of these solutions and how they are shaping the future of aging. Topics include the stigma associated with aging, the formal education of family caregivers, and the importance of designing aging and brain health solutions with inclusivity in mind.
On the panel: Sue Drohan (CABHI Senior Advisory panel member), Sam Herskovits (CABHI Senior Advisory panel member), Ron Posno (Dementia Advocate), Len Carter (Dementia Advocate); moderator, Dr. Allison Sekuler (Managing Director, CABHI).
Dive into this engaging conversation, which first aired at CABHI’s 2020 What’s Next Canada conference
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, we talk about sleep and its impact on people living with dementia and their caregivers. Joining us for this in-depth discussion is Dr. Andrew Lim, a sleep neurologist who helps us understand the science behind sleep and how it affects our physical and cognitive health as we age.
We’ll also hear from Dr. Corrine Ong, Associate Professor, Community Services at Ryerson University, about what it’s like caring for someone with dementia and the challenges she encounters maintaining her own sleep routine.
Dr. Adriana Shnall, Director of Programs at Baycrest@Home, joins the discussion to explain the relationship between sleep and the role caregivers play in ensuring older adults age comfortably at home. We round off this episode with an interview with CABHI innovator, Eve Baird. Baird shares how her solution, The Sleep Kit , can help mitigate the sleep challenges caused be cognitive impairments like dementia.
We invite you to listen to this engaging discussion led by our hosts, Dr. Allison Sekuler and Dr. Rosanne Aleong, in partnership with Baycrest@Home.
On this episode, taken from the global segment of CABHI's 2020 What's Next Canada conference, panelists Dr. Seamus O’Neil (CEO, Northern Health Science Alliance), Albert Chu (Innovation Consultant, SOMPO Digital Lab), Robby Spring (Trade Advisor Health, Royal Danish Consulate General), and David Lindeman (Director of Health CITRIS and the Banatao Institute), highlight the importance of innovating in a global ecosystem, where organizations can swap valuable experiences to improve the quality of life for older adults. Tune in as the panelists put their advice into practice by sharing insights about the innovative ways their countries have responded to a growing aging population, with solutions like dementia-friendly communities and subsidized homecare.
Funding makes the world go ‘round – especially when you’re an entrepreneur looking to secure investments for your innovative agetech solution. While there may be many riches in the niches of the longevity market, it can be challenging for entrepreneurs in this space to access them. At CABHI’s 2020 What’s Next Canada conference, Sam Ifergan (Founder and Managing Partner at iGan Partners) and Anna Han (Senior Lead, Industry Relations Portfolio Management at Ontario Brain Institute) spoke to entrepreneurs about how they can stand out and secure funding to scale and grow their agetech companies – and truly make a lasting impact in the longevity market.
In this discussion, first recorded as an Investors Panel at What’s Next Canada 2020, learn about the important qualities that investors are looking for in companies before they commit to funding, including:
Innovative products with a strong proof of concept Technologies that solve real problems and have clear market prospects *Strong business models that focus on sustainability over time
On the panel: Mary Furlong (CEO of Mary Furlong & Associates and panel moderator), Anna Hann (Senior Lead, Industry Relations Portfolio Management, Ontario Brain Institute), and Sam Ifergan (Founder & Managing Partner, iGan Partners).
Linking health research and innovation can feel like mixing oil and water. While research lives in the realm of academia, innovation is often associated with business and the marketplace. Yet, closing the gap between these disciplines is critical for accelerating lifesaving aging and brain health solutions. In this rapid-fire discussion from CABHI’s What’s Next Canada Technology Panel, we’ll discover creative ways to improve the chemistry between research and innovation, so that they act less like oil and water and more like a tasty vinaigrette.
Our newest podcast episode kicks off an eight-part series that captures engaging conversations from CABHI’s 2020 What’s Next Canada conference – Canada’s premier event for networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange. The conference featured speakers and thought leaders from around the world, including Jean Accius, Senior Vice President, Thought Leadership and International Affairs, AARP. In this inaugural episode, we’ll hear Dr. Accius’ keynote speech where he explores the implications of a rise in global life expectancy and what it may mean for our economy, workforce, and healthcare system. Dr. Accius considers the challenges and opportunities that stem from older adults living, learning, and earning longer than ever before. During a time when life expectancy doesn’t always equal health expectancy, Dr. Accius also asks what are the innovations and practices that we can adopt to ensure that longer, healthier aging becomes accessible to all?
What is health and how can we access it? These are questions facing many Canadian communities as they deal with the challenges presented by COVID-19. In part three of our four-part COVID-19 mini-series, created in partnership with Baycrest@Home, we’ll learn about holistic health and wellness from an Indigenous perspective with Elder Ethel Starblanket-Dubois from the Starblanket Cree Nation, Dr. Carrie Bourassa, Scientific Director of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health, and Sadie Anderson, Lab Manager at Morning Star Lodge.
Join our guests and our hosts, Dr. Allison Sekuler and Dr. Rosanne Aleong, as they dive into important topics such as creating access to culturally safe resources that incorporate a communal approach to health, the importance of staying connected to the land, and the ways past and present trauma caused by residential schools and the Sixties Scoop have amplified the effects of the pandemic in Indigenous communities. We’ll hear our guests talk about their own unique experiences as Indigenous People and how, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, they continue to draw strength – and a sense of health – from their culture.
This is part two of our four-part COVID-19 mini-series.
American feminist writer Betty Friedan once said, “Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” On this week’s podcast episode, hosts Dr. Allison Sekuler and Dr. Rosanne Aleong talk to older adults who embody this message by finding creative ways to preserve their minds, bodies, and spirits during the pandemic.
Joining us for this second installment of our COVID-19 mini-series is George Nakamura, founder of Clearmount Plastics Ltd., whose years spent working on a farm as a young boy taught him how to be adaptable and resilient in the face of loss and change.
We’ll also hear an engaging panel discussion with guests Richard Sheppard, a retired financial professional who shares his tips on resourcefulness and the power of active aging; and Angie Seto from the National Ballet School of Canada. Angie offers advice on how older adults can incorporate creativity, self-expression, and movement into their daily lives with the Sharing Dance Seniors program, presented in partnership with Baycrest.
The Community of Innovation Podcast COVID-19 mini-series is brought to you in partnership with Baycrest@Home.
There is no doubt COVID-19 has altered the world as we know it, leaving no corner of our lives untouched. Everything, from our healthcare system to our economy and social practices has been affected. Yet for many older adults, the pandemic has only heightened persisting challenges, such as social isolation.
In part one of this three-part series, the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) teams-up with Baycrest@Home to explore the topic of social isolation from the perspectives of older adults and the healthcare innovators working to address it.
Join our host, Dr. Allison Sekuler, as she talks to Dr. Christine Overall and Katheleen Ellis about their lived experiences during the pandemic, and what it’s like to be “the first ones in, and last ones out” of lockdown.
On the innovator side of the discussion, Dalas Forget, former Seniors’ Centre Without Walls Coordinator, and Avi Price, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Uniper Care Technologies, talk about how aging and brain health solutions can be used to tackle social isolation and support front-line healthcare workers during this time.
Podcast Theme music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Technology has transformed our access to medical and health information, for good and ill. Web search results put serious researchers and clinicians on the same 'stage' as digital snake oil salesmen, all fighting for people's limited attention. Add to this the growing importance of preventing and managing chronic conditions such as dementia, and the need for health literacy has never been greater.
Enter the health literacy innovators!
This episode, CABHI Managing Director Dr. Allison Sekuler sits down with three people that have taken on this challenge. Their projects, the Fountain of Health and iGeriCare, each combine digital technology with evidence-based health information to reach people with the information they need to stay healthy, and care for others, as they age.
Join us as we hear how detail-oriented researchers learn to add a little 'sizzle' to their 'steak', use the principles of behaviour change on both patients and their fellow clinicians, and win the battle to relegate snake oil to the bottom of the barrel.
Featuring special guests:
Dr. Anthony Levinson, Neuropsychiatrist, Director, Division of e-Learning Innovation, McMaster University
At the Division of e-Learning Innovation, Dr. Levinson exercises his passion for researching and developing online solutions to deliver high-quality health educational experiences to both the public and health care professionals. IGeriCare provides a unique opportunity to leverage his expertise in mental health and learning technologies to create a modern and engaging approach to dementia education. Dr. Levinson practices Medical Psychiatry, is an Associate Professor and holds the John Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development at McMaster University.
Dr. Keri-Leigh Cassidy, MD FRCPC, is a Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and the founder of the Fountain of Health™ Initiative for Optimal Aging. She is also the co-founder of the World Aging and Brain Health Institute, and Vice President of the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Cassidy is a national expert in late life mood disorders and psychotherapy teaching at the CAGP National Review Course in Geriatric Psychiatry, and author of Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for older adults. Dr. Cassidy received the 2016 Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry Award for Outstanding Contributions to Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada. She was the 2018 recipient of the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Betty Havens Prize for Knowledge Translation in Aging.
Dr. Michael Vallis, PhD. R. Psych
Dr. Vallis is a registered health psychologist practicing in Halifax, Canada. He is a Health Behaviour Change Consultant and Associate Professor in Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. His main areas of expertise are diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk and gastroenterology. He has worked in the public health system for 35 years and is now working as a consultant and doing private practice. He regularly supervises clinical and academic students at Dalhousie and is active in research on motivation, behavioural change and psychosocial adaptation to chronic disease. He consults nationally as well as internationally and is heavily involved in journal editing, clinical practice guidelines and academic publications. He was recently awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada on the recommendation of Diabetes Canada.
Recommended resources:
Dr. Levinson: iGericare: https://igericare.ca McMaster Optimal Aging Portal: http://mcmasteroptimalaging.org MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/
Dr. Cassidy: Fountain of Health: https://fountainofhealth.ca/ Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health: https://ccsmh.ca/
Dr. Vallis: Behaviour Change Institute: http://www.behaviourchangeinstitute.ca Canadian Network for Health Behaviour Change and Promotion: https://can-change.ca/
Innovators are constantly courting their local healthcare systems, trying to meet the needs of an aging population. They're constantly on the prowl, seeking acceptance and, ultimately, a long term relationship. But before achieving such wedded bliss, innovators face the arduous task of navigating the health innovation dating jungle. Healthcare innovators often find it impossible to get a date, let alone get hitched.
In a special live taping at MaRS' 2019 Health Innovation Week, the CABHI Community of Innovation podcast brings you a dynamic conversation with companies, funders, and healthcare organizations in order to better understand:
- the dating landscape that is the Ontario healthcare system; - how innovators can make themselves more attractive to healthcare organizations; - who to date; and - what is important for innovators to bring to the dating table for healthcare organizations.
And most importantly, our listeners can learn what role clowns do or don't play in their dating future. So, swipe right for this very special dating event...
Featuring panelists Eliav Shaked (CEO, RetiSpec), Garth Smith (Vice President, Business Development & Partnerships, Ontario Brain Insitute), Robby Spring (Trade Advisor, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Danish Trade Council), and Patrick Clifford (Director of Research and Innovation, Southlake Regional Health Centre). Moderated by Dr. Rosanne Aleong (Director, Research, Innovation & Translation at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute).
Yes, we're all sophisticated grownups, but like at any school playground, researchers and innovators are often at a loss as to how to connect. Do we have anything in common? Will we speak the same language? Most importantly, should we play freeze tag or four-square?
On a more serious note, how do traditional academic and innovation ecosystems support and sustain authentic and productive relationships with real outputs that benefit everyone? How do we incentivize these seemingly disparate parties to want to work together?
Join the CABHI Community of Innovation podcast team for a special taping from CABHI's 2019 What's Next Canada Conference in Toronto, Canada. Our panel guests will share their thoughts on how funders, academic institutions, and innovators can create a sum greater than its individual parts. What are the challenges and what are the rewards? And how do our listeners find their future research or innovation bestie in this fast-paced ecosystem?
Featuring panelists Dr. Ryan D’Arcy (President and Chief Scientific Officer, HealthTech Connex), Patrick Odnokon (CEO, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation), and Christina Weise (CEO, Research Manitoba). Moderated by Dr. Rosanne Aleong (Director, Research, Innovation & Translation at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute).
The 2020 What's Next Canada conference takes place on March 11, 2020. Register now! www.cabhi.com/wnc
Too often the discussion of aging is focused exclusively on loss. An aging society demands our active engagement to adapt and address new challenges and emerging opportunities. Mary Furlong compares aging to an emerging market, closer to a new nation opening its borders to trade. Today on the show we visit this new emerging marketplace with the help of two knowledgeable explorers: Mary Furlong, of Mary Furlong and Associates, and Kaveh Vejdani, Chief Medical & Technology Officer & Co-founder of Darmiyan.
This wide-ranging conversation with co-hosts Allison Sekuler and Spencer Giffin covers the dynamics of this new market, the role of research and innovation, and the many opportunities to do well while doing good for older adults.
To pivot or not to pivot, that is the question. In an agile and nimble innovation space, how do you “pivot like a boss” and change one or more components of your business model to take advantage of emergent opportunities, meet an unmet need, maximize your impact, or course correct when you’ve gone down the wrong path?
Changing your business model – your value proposition, profit model, resource model, operations, or processes – can be scary. But you would be in good company if you did. Some of the biggest names in the business – Twitter, Groupon, Pinterest – are the results of one, if not many, pivots.
But how do you find the courage to pivot in(to) the aging and brain health innovation space? Join the CABHI team and their guests, Dr. Zayna Khayat (SE Health) and Michiel Rauws (X2AI) in this special international episode – guests in three cities across two countries! – as we discuss what a pivot is and what it isn’t; what are the key signs to pivot; what is the anti-pivot argument; and what are potential pivot regrets. Hear how Michiel and Zayna collaborated on a pivot to address social isolation, loneliness, and mental health among older adults. Learn about their experiences and potential resources so you too can pivot like a boss.
Welcome to Part 2 of our look at end user engagement.
In Part 1, we heard from the CABHI experts on the basics of speaking with end users and customers when developing your innovation.
In this episode we speak with two members of CABHI's Seniors Advisory Panel, and a team of innovators that worked with the panel on their CABHI-funded project. We ask hard hitting questions like, 'How'd that go for you?', and 'So, was your baby ugly?'.
Listen in as we compare innovation theory to practice.
Joining our host Allison Sekuler are Sue Drohan and Deb Bernstein (both members of CABHI's Seniors Advisory Panel), and Paula Chidwick (Director of Research & Corporate Ethics and Ethicist)and Jill Oliver (Community Ethicist), both at William Osler Health System, and the team behind PoET (Prevention of Error-Based Transfers) project and app.
Engaging end users is considered mandatory or irrelevant, depending on the style of innovator you speak with. Should you co-design your product in order to ensure you're addressing a real need? Or should you squeeze into a black turtleneck and invent the future others cannot yet see?
As we hear in this episode of our podcast, the answers aren't mutually exclusive. And one way or another, the world is going to eventually tell you whether your "baby" is ugly or not. How and when should you engage end users to avoid pitfalls, reassess some of your treasured assumptions, and still meet those pesky deadlines and stay on budget?
Join the COI team in the first of a two-part episode on engaging end users in the development of innovative health solutions.
Your innovation is exciting, world changing, elegantly designed - but can you pay the rent?
CABHI loves innovation, but the world doesn't have enough closets for all the great services and prototypes collecting dust because there wasn't a plan to pay for them.
Financial sustainability is not easy, but the good news is that there isn't only one road to achieving it. Join us as we engage our special guest, who has found herself in the unexpected role of bootstrapping a promising clinical service (and service model) from idea, to pilot, to program.
Dr. Joanne Ho is a geriatrician, clinical pharmacologist, and internist practicing at Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, ON. She is an Assistant Professor, at McMaster University's Divisions of Geriatric Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. She is also a Schlegel Clinical Research Scientist at Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. Most germane to her appearance on our podcast, she is the creator of Gerimedrisk, an interdisciplinary telemedicine service available to clinicians who need geriatric clinical pharmacology and psychiatry consultations.
Joanne joins our CoI crew to discuss how she's approached keeping Gerimedrisk's lights on as they develop, evaluate and grow their service.
This episode we visit a topic very close to our hearts: implementation and sustainability. At CABHI, putting novel solutions into actual practice is at the heart of how we define innovation. The long and complicated path to sustainable implementation remains a profound barrier to healthcare innovation. We sat down with two esteemed experts (real ‘K Stars’, if you will!) in the field of Knowledge Mobilization to talk about what they do and how they do it.
Dr. Julia Moore (Senior Director at The Center for Implementation) and Lora Bruyn-Martin (Research Application Specialist at Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Innovation Integration Lead at Schlegel Villages) join the regular CABHI panel for a lively discussion of KM theory, practice and how to pronounce “COM-B”.
Our first episode focuses on the Ethics of Innovation, and features insights from Roshan Guna (Baycrest’s Manager of Research Ethics & Participation) and Fidelma Serediuk (Baycrest’s Manager and Professional Practice Chief, Physiotherapy; Manager, Sam & Ida Ross Memory Clinic). Fidelma is the local lead for the multi-site Motiview project, which is engaging older adults (many with dementia) in virtual cycling tours to destinations from around the world. In discussion with CABHI’s Managing Director, Dr. Allison Sekuler, our Commercialization Lead, Spencer Giffin, and our Director of Research, Innovation & Translation, Dr. Rosanne Aleong, Roshan and Fidelma explain how they navigated the often-dreaded Research Ethics Board approval process, and along the way clear up such matters as “What is and isn’t research?”, “When do you need REB approval?”, and “What is Slow TV anyway?”