Gerontology alumnus Anthony Kupferschmidt receives the 2023 SFU CERi Community-Engaged Partnership Award

Congratulations to gerontology alumnus Anthony Kupferschmidt on receiving the 2023 SFU CERi Community-Engaged Partnership Award.

Kupferschmidt was the lead community partner on a Michael Smith Health Research BC funded project entitled, “Independent Senior Centres: Connecting and Supporting Older Adults in Metro Vancouver.” He is accepting this award in partnership with the Langley Senior Resources Society, the senior centre where he was the Executive Director during the completion of this project.

This work emerged from Kupferschmidt’s passion for supporting senior centres in BC and ensuring that older adults have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in research. It examined how independent, not-for-profit senior centres in Metro Vancouver impact the health and well-being of older adults in this province.

This project also provided insight on the challenges that senior centres face. As current research in this area is limited in BC and Canada, this project identified opportunities and potential strategies to ensure that senior centres continue to meet the needs of the diverse community of older adults that they serve. This work also included the co-development of a research agenda for senior centres.

Since graduating from Simon Fraser University’s Master of Arts in Gerontology program in 2009, Kupferschmidt has been actively involved in community outreach initiatives across the not-for-profit and municipal sectors to address gaps in programs and services for older adults. Kupferschmidt continues to dedicate his time to advocating for older adults and ensuring their voices are heard in research.