Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population

How do we build a thriving workforce to meet the growing demands of seniors’ care?

With aging populations on the rise, the need for creative solutions in workforce development has never been more urgent. Enter the Living Classroom – a program that integrates education directly into long-term care. This innovative approach is training the next generation of caregivers and health care providers while enriching the lives of residents and care teams through collaboration and shared learning.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with three guests who bring the Living Classroom to life:



• Warda Abbas, a Personal Support Worker at the Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and a recent graduate of the Living Classroom at Mohawk College and Schlegel Villages.
• Christine Bruder, People Opportunities Partner at Schlegel Villages.
• Jennifer Hartwick, Director of Business Development at Schlegel Villages.

Resources:

• Learn about The Living Classroom and get involved
• Listen to the Elder Wisdom: Stories from the Green Bench podcast honouring the wisdom of the elder, ending ageism
• Learn about the work and supports offered by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI-LTC)
• The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable, non-profit organization that enhances the quality of life and care for older adults through research, education, and practice. 

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A.

What does it take to create transformative change in healthcare and senior care?

Around the world, health systems are facing a generational shift as aging populations grow, yet many remain unprepared for the scale of demand. Why has this pivotal moment been so difficult to address? What can we learn from past failures, and how can we pave the way for a radically better future?

In this episode, we explore the essential ingredients for large-scale, systemic transformation: from enabling bold ideas to fostering collaboration and aligning around a shared vision.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with two leaders in quality improvement and healthcare innovation:

• Helen Bevan, Leader and facilitator of large-scale change in health care
• Christina Krause, CEO of Health Quality BC

Resources:

• BC Health Quality Matrix
• National Health Service (UK)
• Healthcare Excellence Canada
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.

How can we plan communities of care that work across diverse settings, while balancing the immediate needs of today’s older adults with planning for future generations?

In this episode, we explore redefining seniors’ care. From balancing immediate needs with long-term planning to fostering models of care that prioritize connection, housing and care, this conversation highlights the power of bold ideas and local leadership.

Listen as Donna Duncan sits down with Aimée Foreman, aging care advisor and CEO of Silvermark based in New Brunswick, Canada.

Discover how a small province with big ideas is charting a path toward a better future for seniors.

Resources:

• Tamarack Institute Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) in Canada
• interRAI collaborative network of researchers and practitioners in over 35 countries committed to promoting evidence-informed clinical practice and policy decision-making 
• In our discussion, Aimée mentions innovative models of care across Canada and around the world. Learn more about these programs:
• Nursing Home Without Walls initiative created in New Brunswick, now receiving support from Healthcare Excellence Canada to spread and scale
• iGen Intergenerational Learning Classroom, a grade 6 classroom embedded into the Sherbrooke Community Centre in British Columbia
• The Oromocto development project recently announced in New Brunswick that will be constructed with four households, 15 residents per household.
• Humanitas Deventer and their student live-in program in the Netherlands
• The Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands
• Trent University Integrated Seniors Village in partnership with peopleCare Communities development project (and listen to our podcast episode here)
• University of Calgary Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, StaffStat.

Elections are taking place around the world and across Canada. What are voters thinking and how is it informing how political parties are making decisions about healthcare and seniors’ care, including long-term care?

This episode dives into these timely issues in two parts:

• Donna Duncan first sits down with David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, to explore voter behaviour and trends. Through polling insights, they unpack how aging demographics and voter intentions are shaping the political landscape.
• Then, she moderates a panel discussion with senior political strategists Ginny Roth, Gurratan Singh, and Dan Moulton from Crestview Strategy. Offering perspectives across Canada’s major political parties, they discuss the role of seniors’ care in election platforms and how to make this issue politically relevant.

In a world of polarized politics, this episode uncovers common ground and offers insights that extend across Canada and beyond. Whether you’re in Canada or abroad, the conversation provides a lens on how aging populations can influence elections and what that means for the future of seniors’ care.

Resources:

• Getting ready for the aging Baby Boom generation: a survey

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

What can the United Kingdom teach us about rethinking aging and social care?

In a world that's becoming more interconnected, there's an increasing focus on sharing insights and challenging one another to find innovative solutions for the future of care and reimagining what aging and social care can look like.

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with two inspiring voices:

• Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of the National Care Forum 
• Dr. Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care

They discuss the evolving landscape of aging and social care in the United Kingdom. They also explore how collaboration, technology, and person-centered approaches are shaping the future of social care, and the unique lessons we can learn from the UK.

With thought-provoking insights, Vic and Donald share valuable perspectives on creating a compassionate and sustainable system that meets the needs of aging populations everywhere.

Conversations like this one are part of a global dialogue where we connect across systems, embrace technology, and push for flexible, forward-thinking approaches.

Resources: 

• Podcast: Donald Macaskill Shares from his weekly blog 
• The Global Ageing Network



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare. 

When you hear "normal aging," what comes to mind? For many, the concept is clouded by misconceptions and fears about the years ahead. But what if we could embrace aging as a natural, even empowering part of life?

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, geriatrician and author of Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life, to get real about the realities—and the benefits—of aging. They’ll discuss common myths, the surprising ways frailty is misunderstood, and how adapting to life’s later chapters can create a meaningful, fulfilling new normal. With evidence-based insights, Dr. Leipzig shares compelling advice for individuals, caregivers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and society as a whole on thriving through every stage of life.

Resources: 

• Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life by Dr. Rosanne Leipzig 
• Aging 101 tips, myth busters and exercises 
• Learn about the art and life of Grandma Moses 
• Tip sheet: The 5 Ms of Geriatrics 



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO. 

How do we talk with our aging parents about their health, care needs, and life transitions?

More and more of us are entering a phase of life we didn’t quite anticipate—caring for our aging parents. As Canada's population ages, it’s becoming crucial for families to plan ahead and have open, honest conversations about aging and future care needs. Whether in our 30s or 70s, many of us are left asking: Where do we begin?

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with Laura Tamblyn Watts, author of Let’s Talk about Aging Parents and CEO of CanAge. They discuss practical strategies for navigating these conversations, from managing home care and addressing financial planning to approaching more sensitive topics like downsizing and considering long-term care.

The theme is simple: Prepare now, before hard choices must be made later under great stress.

Resources: 

• Let’s Talk About Aging Parents by Laura Tamblyn Watts



This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare. 

What does it mean to be a family caregiver in today’s world? In Ontario, more than 4 million individuals step into the role of caregiver, providing essential support to family members, partners, friends, or neighbours. Most caregivers are assisting older adults over 65 who face age-related needs including mobility issues, cognitive impairments like dementia, and cardiovascular concerns. As our population ages, these demands are rising, often placing incredible pressure on caregivers.

In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with two inspiring guests:

• Terrence Ho, a family caregiver for more than 30 years
• Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization

Together, they explore the evolving role of caregivers, the growing trends in caregiving responsibilities, and the crucial supports needed to ensure caregivers are not overwhelmed and neglected. Whether you're a caregiver yourself or connected to someone who is, this conversation sheds light on the importance of caring for those who care for others.

Resources:

• Visit the Ontario Caregiver Organization website for supports and tools for caregivers
• Need assistance? Reach out to the caregiver helpline
• Connect with another caregiver through peer support
• Learn about advance care planning with Advance Care Planning Canada

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A powered by StaffStat.

How can we re-think how we build seniors’ communities?

In Canada, innovative partnerships are leading the way in transforming how we think about aging and care. One such groundbreaking initiative is unfolding in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada where Trent University is building a seniors’ village on the university campus, and they are partnering with peopleCare Communities to build and operate a long-term care home. This visionary project brings students and seniors together in a shared space where learning, living, and care are interconnected.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two visionary leaders who are at the helm of this transformative project:

• Dr. Cathy Bruce, President and Vice-Chancellor, Trent University
• Megan Allen-Lamb, President, peopleCare Communities

Listen as they discuss how this collaboration is not just about providing care; it's about creating a space where students and seniors live, learn, and grow together.

Resources:

• Trent Seniors Village
• peopleCare Limitless: A Visionary Strategy
• peopleCare’s Developments
• Trent Centre for Aging and Society
• Trent Intergenerational classroom

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, ARJO.

How do we build a better future for seniors? Seniors’ populations around the world are growing and innovative solutions are crucial to meet their evolving needs. In regions like Ontario, Canada, novel projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are showing us what the future can look like.

In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Roxana Sultan, Chief Data Officer and Vice President of Health at the Vector Institute, a globally renowned AI institute that is empowering researchers, businesses and governments to develop and adopt AI responsibly.

Listen as Roxana shares insights from AI projects in hospital settings and what this could mean for adoption across broader health care systems, including seniors’ care and long-term care.

Resources:

• AI trust and safety principles by the Vector Institute
• Health AI Implementation Toolkit by the Vector Institute
• Learn about Canada’s University Health Network’s digital tool helping heart failure patients manage symptoms from home
• Learn about GEMINI at Unity Health, Canada’s largest hospital data sharing network for research and analytics

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, PointClickCare.