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The Waterloo Gerontology Interest Group held its
annual meeting on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at
Trinity Village Care Centre in Kitchener. The theme
for the evening was: Needing, Knowing, Navigating:
Understanding the Systems and Services for Older
Adults in our Communities. The meeting opened with
the opportunity to connect and re-connect with
others who work with seniors in our community.
The first speaker for the evening was Laura
VanderGriendt from Cambridge Social Planning
Council who shared about research that the Council
had conducted among seniors in the Cambridge
area. The study included everything from safety,
access to healthcare and convenience of rec centres
and more. Laura presented the findings to us and
was preparing to present the information to
Cambridge City Council the following week. The
main concern among seniors was access to
healthcare, but on the positive most respondents
enjoyed the small town feel of living in Cambridge.
After a break to enjoy supper, the minutes from the
last general meeting were reviewed and approved.
One of the topics to be discussed was the future of
the Gerontology Interest Group itself as its seen
membership numbers dwindle since its inception in
1984. They are required to have 5 members on the
board and were working with 4 coming into the
meeting because one had stepped down because of
a new job placement. The GIG was thrilled to
welcome in 4 new board members as one by one
members raised their hands to be a part of board
for this dynamic group. Following the business part
of the meeting attendants had the privilege of
hearing from three more speakers who shared about
their work with older adults in the community.
Janice Paul an Intensive Geriatric Service Worker
(IGSW) shared about her work to reach those
people in our community that usually refuse care and
how they overcome those barriers and walk
alongside people through care, including attending
day programs with them, sitting with them at doctor’
s appointments and wherever they might be needed.
The highlight of her presentation was a success
story. A woman who was very confused and was
found by neighbours wandering the halls of her
apartment building, got the care she needed through
IGSW and was transitioned into a retirement home
environment where she wanted to be. The local
pharmacist was relieved that someone was finally
helping her as the Service Worker handed her a bag
of old medications, some 10 years old. Now that her
medications and food intake is monitored she is
living a happy and full life.
Susan Smith with the Integrated Assisted Living
Program, spoke about how her nurses work to
improve the lives of seniors in the Waterloo-
Wellington area and how they manage the limited
resources in rural communities. A highlight from her
presentation was the Community Suppers that they
host at local centres. For some people the Meals on
Wheels program works well, but for those who don’t
want to eat alone the staff coordinated community
suppers for people to eat together and enjoy each
others company and not be isolated.
Linda Flemming from Crisis Intervention Assistance
Services, deal with a lot of abuse cases and
intervene for seniors.
The future for the GIG is looking very bright as they
continue to work towards their goals: To broaden
knowledge about aging in order to encourage
positive societal and professional attitudes towards
older adults; to promote communication between
people interested in the field of Gerontology; to
cooperate, where appropriate, with other
organizations that have similar objectives.
Written & Submitted by Debbie Buhrow,
Communication and Grants Coordinator, Trinity
Village
annual meeting on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at
Trinity Village Care Centre in Kitchener. The theme
for the evening was: Needing, Knowing, Navigating:
Understanding the Systems and Services for Older
Adults in our Communities. The meeting opened with
the opportunity to connect and re-connect with
others who work with seniors in our community.
The first speaker for the evening was Laura
VanderGriendt from Cambridge Social Planning
Council who shared about research that the Council
had conducted among seniors in the Cambridge
area. The study included everything from safety,
access to healthcare and convenience of rec centres
and more. Laura presented the findings to us and
was preparing to present the information to
Cambridge City Council the following week. The
main concern among seniors was access to
healthcare, but on the positive most respondents
enjoyed the small town feel of living in Cambridge.
After a break to enjoy supper, the minutes from the
last general meeting were reviewed and approved.
One of the topics to be discussed was the future of
the Gerontology Interest Group itself as its seen
membership numbers dwindle since its inception in
1984. They are required to have 5 members on the
board and were working with 4 coming into the
meeting because one had stepped down because of
a new job placement. The GIG was thrilled to
welcome in 4 new board members as one by one
members raised their hands to be a part of board
for this dynamic group. Following the business part
of the meeting attendants had the privilege of
hearing from three more speakers who shared about
their work with older adults in the community.
Janice Paul an Intensive Geriatric Service Worker
(IGSW) shared about her work to reach those
people in our community that usually refuse care and
how they overcome those barriers and walk
alongside people through care, including attending
day programs with them, sitting with them at doctor’
s appointments and wherever they might be needed.
The highlight of her presentation was a success
story. A woman who was very confused and was
found by neighbours wandering the halls of her
apartment building, got the care she needed through
IGSW and was transitioned into a retirement home
environment where she wanted to be. The local
pharmacist was relieved that someone was finally
helping her as the Service Worker handed her a bag
of old medications, some 10 years old. Now that her
medications and food intake is monitored she is
living a happy and full life.
Susan Smith with the Integrated Assisted Living
Program, spoke about how her nurses work to
improve the lives of seniors in the Waterloo-
Wellington area and how they manage the limited
resources in rural communities. A highlight from her
presentation was the Community Suppers that they
host at local centres. For some people the Meals on
Wheels program works well, but for those who don’t
want to eat alone the staff coordinated community
suppers for people to eat together and enjoy each
others company and not be isolated.
Linda Flemming from Crisis Intervention Assistance
Services, deal with a lot of abuse cases and
intervene for seniors.
The future for the GIG is looking very bright as they
continue to work towards their goals: To broaden
knowledge about aging in order to encourage
positive societal and professional attitudes towards
older adults; to promote communication between
people interested in the field of Gerontology; to
cooperate, where appropriate, with other
organizations that have similar objectives.
Written & Submitted by Debbie Buhrow,
Communication and Grants Coordinator, Trinity
Village
Registration Fee:
$50 GIG Members
$75 Non-members
Group rates for 5+people
$40 Students and
Seniors (65+)
No group rate available
For more information and
to register, please call
(519) 893-8494 ext. 6500
$50 GIG Members
$75 Non-members
Group rates for 5+people
$40 Students and
Seniors (65+)
No group rate available
For more information and
to register, please call
(519) 893-8494 ext. 6500
| Needing, Knowing and Navigating - Understanding the systems and services for older adults in our community |
| 2011 Waterloo GIG Annual General Meeting |