John K. Friesen Conference
2016
Late Life Issues and Innovations
Chairperson: Andrew Wister
This year’s conference, organized and hosted in cooperation with the AGE-WELL Network, BC Hospice Palliative Care Association and the SFU Continuing Studies Liberal Arts and Adults 55+ Program, focused on key late life issues including housing, coping with frailty and the need for care (who will provide it, where); how to stay connected to family, friends and community when physical and/or cognitive changes occur; expressing one’s wishes with respect to care at the end of life and dying with dignity; protection and transfer of assets and protection from abuse and neglect. Keynote speakers, expert panels and poster presentations discussed the pros and cons of innovations (legal, technological, support services) addressing these. The objective of the conference was to provide information that will enable people aged 55+ to plan ahead and make informed choices. As well, it was designed to provide a forum for developers (private, public & non-profit) to learn what adults aged 55+ are looking for in the way of housing and services for their later years.
Day 1 — May 16, 2016
Panel 1 – Housing and Living Arrangements in Later Life: Options and Innovations
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“Congregate Housing (Assisted Living) in Canada: Findings from CMHC's 2015 Seniors Housing Survey" Aida Niavarani, Senior Market Analyst, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation "Smart Technology, Assistive Technology & Recent Building Code Changes that Support Aging-in-Place" Elizabeth Tang, Knowledge Transfer Consultant, Knowledge Transfer and Outreach Division, BC Business Centre, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation |
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Keynote Address – Aging in Place and Dying at Home |
Kelli Stajduhar, Professor, School of Nursing, University of Victoria |
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Panel 2 – Creative Care Approaches to Dying and Death in Diverse Communities
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"End of Life Care for South Asians: Reflections of a Diversity Consultant" Jas Cheema, President, Intercultural Education Services, Inc "End of Life Care for South Asians: Reflections of a Physician" Akber Mithani, Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Dept. of Psychiatry "Communicating Care in End of Life: Perspectives of Families and Care Providers" Joyce Lee, Research Associate, School of Nursing, Trinity Western University & Doctoral Candidate, UBC School of Population and Public Health "Experiences on End of Life Conversations with Chinese-Canadian Clients in Long Term Care Settings: Barriers and Successes" Felicia Wong, Providence Health Care "Later Life Concerns, Issues and Innovations in the LGBT Community" Gloria Gutman & Brian de Vries, SFU Gerontology Research Centre |
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Panel 3 – Physician Assisted Dying
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"My Mother's Choice" Sara Bennett Fox, Daughter of Gillian Bennett "Negotiated Death: A Palliative Approach" Doris Barwich, Executive Director, BC Centre for Palliative Care |
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Chair: B. Lynn Beattie, |
Marie Howard, CEO Alzheimer Society of BC & Jim Mann – Dementia Advocate Melanie Young, General Manager, The Gardens at Qualicum Beach Laura Booi, World Young Leaders in Dementia & Doctoral Candidate, SFU Gerontology Dept. |
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Panel 5 – Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Chair: Dan Levitt, |
"The Possibilities of Autonomous Vehicles and Other Transportation Innovations" David Wilder, Retired Lawyer "Increasing Social Connections Through Digital Storytelling" David Kaufman, Professor, Faculty of Education, SFU "TeleVisiting: Possible Late Life Applications" Wesley Cheng, Executive Director, TeleVisit Inc. |
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| Public Lecture – Dying at Home in all its Variations |
Kelli Stadjuhar, Professor, School of Nursing and Centre on Aging, University of Victoria, Research Scientist End of Life Program, Fraser Health Authority |
Day 2 — May 17, 2016
Panel 6 – Substitute and Supported Decision Making in Canada
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Kathleen Cunningham, Executive Director, BC Law Institute Krista James, National Director, Canadian Centre for Elder Law Hugh McLellan, McLellan Herbert, Barristers & Solicitors Karen Gelmon, BC Cancer Agency |
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Panel 7 – Forward Financial Planning and Protecting Against Elder Abuse
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Martha Jane Lewis, Executive Director, BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support Hilda Deprez, Notary Public |
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Panel 8 – Quality End of Life Care in Long Term Care and Hospice Settings
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"Integrating a Palliative Approach in Long Term Care" Jennifer Baumbusch, Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing "The Little Things – Companioning and Presences in Long Term Care" Lindsey Willis, Coordinator of Palliative Support Services, Ridge Meadows Hospice Society "Bridging the Research-Practice Gap in Hospice Care" Shannon Freeman, Assistant Professor, UNBC School of Nursing & Donna Flood, Prince George Hospice Society "Getting the Right Person to the Right Place at the Right Time" Barb Kirby, Eldercare Planner, Advocate and Navigator |