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    Watch the Discussion: Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Aging

    Watch the Discussion: Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Aging

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    Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Aging

    Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Aging

    The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened our health and communities, including some of our most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. Have we failed or succeeded in our duty to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our society? What has the national and global response to the pandemic taught us about our preparedness for such a virus? How will the pandemic influence our long-term strategy for healthy aging? These are some of the important questions we examined during Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Aging, the second session in the virtual event series.

    Lessons learned during COVID-19

    Queen’s had a record turnout as more than 800 viewers tuned in to last week’s Conversations Confronting COVID-19 virtual event on the topic of aging. Moderated by Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean of Health Sciences, the event brought together experts in healthcare, research, and policy-making to discuss lessons learned about Canada’s elderly population and long-term care during the coronavirus pandemic. The panel included Laura Tamblyn Watts, ArtSci’94, CEO of CanAge, Dr. John Puxty (Medicine), Dr. Catherine Donnelly (Rehabilitation Therapy), and Dr. Kevin Woo (Nursing and Rehabilitation Therapy).

    While the event focused on the response to COVID-19, the participants brought unique research and policy perspectives to senior care issues and the challenges Ontario and Canada may face moving forward post-pandemic. The panelists, including Dr. Philpott, spoke from their experiences and specific expertise, having pivoted their research and attention to focus on COVID-19 related issues or joined the frontlines to deliver senior care during the crisis.

    Major discussion topics included what the response to the pandemic has taught us about our emergency preparedness, our success rate in safeguarding vulnerable members of our society, and how COVID-19 will influence Canada’s long-term strategy for healthy aging. The panelists looked at diverse senior care models in Canada ranging from long-term care to retirement homes and aging at home or alternative non-institutional settings and their responses to COVID-19, along with guidance for those navigating these systems. In particular, they described the mental and physical effects of social isolation for both seniors and their family members and their current research to address this crucial issue.

    In response to some of the 100+ questions posed by audience members, the experts reflected on the impact of COVID-19 within BIPOC communities and where policy and collaborative research are needed to support fair overall healthy aging for all Canadians. Throughout the conversation, the panelists also examined opportunities for a pan-Canadian approach to long-term care, integrating care and care teams where possible, investing in education and the workforce, and applying best practices from other provinces and countries for sector innovation.

    Guidance and resources for senior care

    Many viewers also asked insightful questions around policies, as well as shared personal experiences for guidance on matters such as supporting family caregivers. While the panelists could not respond to each question within the hour, they have provided a list of resources ranging from information about senior care programs and policy actions to ways for the community to get involved through the Queen’s Community Connections Project.

    Additional Information

    • Ìýis a national seniors advocacy agency that seeks to educate, empower, and mobilize people on the issues that matter most to older CanadiansÌýÌý
    • Ìýis a program designed to strengthen and sustain healthy communities of older adultsÌý
    • Ìýis the web portal for the Centre for Studies in Aging & Health and the Seniors Health Knowledge Network (SHKN)Ìý
    • Queen’s Community Connection Project is an intergenerational initiative started by Laura Tamblyn Watts in partnership with Queen’s connecting student volunteers with senior alumni through regular phone calls to foster community
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    Conversations Confronting COVID-19

    Queen’s University Relations and Advancement offices are currently planning additional events in the Conversations Confronting COVID-19 series for the fall. To learn more about upcoming alumni events, visit the Queen’s Alumni website and for more information about how Queen’s researchers are combatting COVID-19 explore the onfronting COVID-19 series.

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    Watch the Discussion: Conversations Confronting COVID-19: Innovation Pivots

    With its first event on June 24, the new series aims to address some of the challenges and opportunities presented by the global pandemic.