A core component of what Christina Bisanz, CEO of CHATS, focuses on is understanding the caregiver perspective and the pressures that come with it. By listening to the experiences of caregivers, the programs and services offered by CHATS reflect their voices and respond to their needs.

"Caregivers really are the unsung heroes of our health system. If not for the presence and support that is being provided by informal caregivers, our health system could likely collapse," Christina explains.

Christina also tells us about CHATS' Assisted Living for High-Risk Adults program and CIBPA Place, York Region's first not-for-profit Overnight Respite Care Centre for short-term stays.

She also explains how caregivers and services provided for older adults support the health system as a whole and helps take pressure off other areas such as emergency departments.

Quotables:

"We believe aging should never mean that an individual loses their dignity, or their choice, or their agency on how they're able to live their lives." – CB

"The other thing about empowerment is that it really does foster resilience and helps combat isolation that too many older adults are facing in our communities." – CB

"The pressure on emergency rooms would increase tremendously if we didn't have informal caregivers helping to keep people home, helping to keep their loved ones able to meet medical appointments, and be socially involved." – CB

"One of the concepts that stuck with me is the idea that aging isn't a problem to solve, it really is a journey to support." – CB

"Innovation doesn't always mean the latest piece of technology, or the newest cell phone or AI, it often means rethinking how we listen and how we collaborate with others in our communities." – CB

"At CHATS we have engrained innovation as part of our culture and we're always empowering our staff to bring forward ideas and pilot new models and also to learn from failure." - CB

Mentioned in this Episode:

- CHATS

- CIBPA Place

- Care As One

- Amy Coupal

- Dr. Samir K. Sinha

- Ryan Schell

Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast

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