January brings us a wave of news that will have an impact on the retirement residence sector: The Alzheimer Society report on dementia showing how health resources, caregiving and residential life will be affected down the road; new brain fitness and health care research is coming on stream; and valuable advice on marketing and training.
Dialogue+ Editor Muriel Duncan welcomes your news for this newsletter or the magazine. Contact her at editor@dialogueplus.ca
Above, team members at V!VA Retirement Communities newest locations – Hollandview Trail in Aurora and Waterside in Carleton Place seem to be having a grand time. They participated in two days of V!VA University, the company’s training program. The ‘curriculum’ included key courses on the company’s values, a review of new proprietary customer service systems and an introduction to some new team benefits. Factor in a marshmallow-eating contest, a human knot and great evenings at a Ottawa Senator’s game and Toronto Raptor’s game and it is easy to understand why V!VA’s team members can’t wait for their next semester.
By 2038, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia diagnosed will increase to one every two minutes, warns a comprehensive report published this month by the Alzheimer Society of Canada. At the same time, the economic burden, doubling every decade, will rise from $15 billion a year in 2008 to an estimated $153 billion a year by 2038. The report, Rising Tide: the Impact of Dementia in Canada, says change is possible and calls for action from the public and governments to address “the looming dementia crisis.” It outlines four interventions and five recommendations as part of a national strategy.
Dr. William Reichman, president and CEO of Baycrest, announces the launch of Baycrest and MaRS new company Cogniciti last month at the Ontario Innovation Summit: Business of Aging conference. (Photo Credit: Richard Lautens)
A new for-profit company to develop and market brain fitness products has brought together Baycrest, one of the world’s leading cognitive science centres, and MaRS, an Ontario innovation centre. The company, Cogniciti, will compete in the international brain fitness market that has an estimated potential to grow to between $1 billion and $5 billion over the next five years. Products include cognitive assessment software, programs to help maintain brain fitness and to rehabilitate those who have mild cognitive impairment.
Heather Green, Greenhouse Marketing and Communications
If you want to know what your potential residents really see when they visit and consider moving in, rely on an outsider to give you the whole picture. Your marketing director isn’t necessarily to blame when a good potential customer takes her or his business to your competitor down the street. Mystery shoppers can uncover what customers actually think about your residence. Heather Green outlines the advantages of mystery shoppers and best way to hire the detective.
Karen Brill, learning and organizational development adviser
It seems you’ve taken on the task of providing a training program for staff and volunteers. In a weak moment, you thought it wouldn’t be that much trouble; after all, you know the material. Wait a minute, says Karen Brill, there’s a lot more to training than listening to an expert. Brill, a learning and organizational development advisor, outlines the steps to producing a successful training program. Forget about just getting your stuff together. That’s only the beginning if you want to present a session that is worth attending.
A leading specialist in geriatric medicine has been appointed to a new research chair at the University of Waterloo in Ontario with the aim of applying a multi-disciplinary approach to health care for seniors.
Dr. George Heckman, specialist in aging and cardiovascular disease, was appointed as the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine by the university and three funding partners. The university is working with philanthropist Ronald Schlegel, the Waterloo Wellington Local Heath Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
The new chair is one of five Schlegel Research Chairs in Aging, first announced in May 2008. Major funding for the chairs comes from a $4 million donation by Schlegel, president of Winston Park and Oakwood Retirement Communities. His initial $2 million donation helped found the Schlegel University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging. read story
Jeffrey Lozon, Revera CEO
Two honoured
Jeffrey Lozon, Chief Executive Officer of Revera Inc., has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his innovative and sustained leadership in health care management and for having advanced patient care, notably at St. Michael’s Hospital, in Toronto. The Order of Canada, one of this country’s highest civilian honours, recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Lozon joined Revera last spring after 17 years as President and CEO at St. Michael’s Hospital.
Also appointed a Member of the Order of Canada was Louise Levesque, a researcher at the Insititut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal and professor emeritus, Faculty of Nursing, University of Montreal. Some of her research concerns are related to promoting health of caregivers of a parent with cognitive impairment living at home or in residential care. A recent study was related to assistance needs and unmet community services for people aged 75 and older.
Preventing infection
Alberta Health and Wellness is offering infection prevention and control (IPC) training for frontline staff who work in supportive living. The complimentary workshops are provided on-site; so far over 1,000 staff people have participated in approximately 83 sessions. The workshop assures that staff knows the latest in how to prevent infections and how to control them if any occur.
Balancing savings and dreams
For most Canadians, retirement looks manageable, according to a survey this month by RBC Royal Bank. But their dreams don’t feel as secure. The 20th annual RBC RRSP poll found 90 percent of Canadians believe they’ll have enough income to cover their necessities in retirement but only one in four of them think they be able to fulfill their retirement dreams. Travelling the world, buying a cottage or a winter condo in Spain may seem only a fantasy to some. The poll also found most retired Canadians (75 per cent) didn’t know how much they spent in their first year of retirement and those who aren’t retired worried more about not having enough savings (48 percent) than pensioners (29 percent). Bank officials wish both groups would do their financial planning earlier in life. Read the report.
Mexican government reacts to its age boom
Mexico has initiated a series of programs to support its aging citizens. The country’s population age 60 and older, now at nine per cent, is growing twice as fast as in the United States. Last year, the federal government opened the Geriatric Institute to train doctors, and in Mexico City, launched a network of gerontology clinics. In an affluent area of that city, a university opened for people age 60 and older; elementary schools there have closed or shrunk because families are having fewer children. The university offers degrees in psychology and business administration. The 1,545 students pay between $3.75 and $18.80 per class. (USA Today)
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