Centre on Aging

Permanent URI for this community

http://hdl.handle.net/1993/38861

The Centre (https://umanitoba.ca/centre-on-aging/) was established in 1982 with a mandate to serve as a focal point for the conduct of research on human aging. With its partners, it generates, supports and promotes interdisciplinary research to improve the lives of older adults, their family, caregivers and communities.

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Open Access
Perspectives on aging
(2016-09-30) Centre on Aging
The University of Manitoba’s Centre on Aging, in collaboration with the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, hosted a day long symposium in Brandon on September 30, 2016. Following presentations from researchers, participants were invited to take part in an afternoon workshop to discuss the strategic objectives identified in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy and Action Plan: Aligning health systems to the needs of the older populations they now serve; Developing systems for providing long term care; Creating age-friendly environments; Improving measuring, monitoring, and understanding. For each objective discussed, three priority actions were identified by the WHO in relation to meeting each strategic objective, which helped to inform the discussions. A fifth strategic objective, committing to foster healthy ageing in every country, was omitted from discussion since the researcher presentations were focused on this specific objective. Over 50 people participated in the group discussions, where they discussed two of the objectives and identified how well Manitoba was doing in relation to addressing the WHO’s objectives. Participants selected a topic that interested them and each group was assigned a facilitator/note taker.
Open Access
WHO Global Strategy & Action Plan on Aging
(2017) Centre on Aging
In February 2017, the Canadian Association on Gerontology and the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba applied for a Planning and Dissemination Grant from the Institute of Aging (CIHR). Several partners supported the application. These partners included: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC); Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA); AGE-WELL; Canadian Geriatrics Society; Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association; Transportation Option Network for Seniors; Active Aging Canada; Manitoba Association of Senior Centres; Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba. In May of 2017, we were informed that we were successful in receiving funding for the Pre-conference Workshop to be held at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting. The theme of the Meeting being “Evidence for Action in an Aging World”. Planning for the Workshop included a meeting at the 2017 International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress, with several of the partners mentioned above.
Open Access
Submission to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
(2017-10-12) Coalition for Healthy Aging in Manitoba
The Coalition for Healthy Aging in Manitoba (CHAM) would like to congratulate the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) on undertaking the study “Advancing Inclusion and Quality of Life for Canadian Seniors”. The three themes of the report (housing, income security and quality of life), well reflect areas of work that need to be undertaken in Canada and around the world.
Open Access
2018 Provincial consultations on healthy aging
(2019) Coalition for Healthy Aging in Manitoba
In 2018, the Coalition for Healthy Aging in Manitoba (CHAM) facilitated a series of workshops in various locations in Manitoba. Participants were asked to discuss what Manitoba is doing well and what could be improved with each of the following three strategic areas from the Global Strategy and Action Plan: age-friendly environments, health systems, and long-term care. This report summarizes the comments received across all sites for each of the strategic areas. In general, very similar items were discussed at all locations, even though the communities are quite different in their locations, sizes, demographics, cultural backgrounds, and histories.
Open Access
Ageism in Manitoba workshop summary
(2019-01-23) Centre on Aging
As part of the Centre on Aging’s outreach to bring awareness of issues faced by older people in the Province, the Centre hosted a half day workshop on January 23, 2019 that focused on ageism in Manitoba. Over 70 participants took part in this event where ageist stereotypes in society were examined, and participants were asked to reflect on their own internal ageist ideas. A short presentation given by Centre Director Dr. Michelle Porter, outlined the existing definitions in the academic literature and from international organizations (e.g., World Health Organization) on ageism, discussed the effects, and looked at ways to reduce ageism in society. Several group and individual activities required participants to think of and identify examples of ageism; what actions can be taken; and discuss what specific types of strategies or activities/programs could be studied in Manitoba. This document provides a brief synopsis of the individual and group activity reporting.
Open Access
Submission to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women
(2019-03-29) Coalition for Healthy Aging in Manitoba
The World Health Organization’s Global Strategy and Action Plan sets out objectives related to aging that maximize functional ability, and hence, have effects on both intrinsic capacity as well as the external physical and social environments that older adults live in. Thus, there is a strong link with the study that the Status of Women Committee is undertaking. For example, affordable housing and transportation are both key social determinants of health, and are highly linked to quality of life.
Open Access
Communication Workshops to Re-frame Aging
(2019-11) Centre on Aging
In 2018, the Centre on Aging received funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Government of Canada for Communication Workshops to Re-frame Aging. The foundational materials that were used to develop the workshop came from the “Gaining Momentum – A Frameworks Communications Toolkit”. The workshops consisted of a presentation about the toolkit, and moved to group activities which helped participants to recognize issues in written materials, and then practice writing short passages incorporating lessons learned from the presentation and resources from the toolkit. All participants received a link to the online toolkit so that they could read through the materials in advance of the workshop, and have the information for future reference.
Open Access
Healthy Aging in Manitoba
(2020-01) Centre on Aging
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched their first World Report on Ageing and Health (World Report). The World Report “outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing built around the new concept of functional ability”. In the fall of the same year, the WHO also started consultations on the accompanying draft Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (GSAP). This document, which was ultimately approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2016, focuses on five strategic objectives: commitment to action on Healthy Ageing in every country; developing age-friendly environments; aligning health systems to the needs of older populations; developing sustainable and equitable systems for providing long-term care (home, communities, institutions); and improving measurement, monitoring and research on Healthy Ageing.
Open Access
Group-based exercise programs for older adults in Manitoba
(2020-02) Lee, Mikyung; Porter, Michelle
Group-based exercise programs have been shown to be one means of not only increasing activity levels for older adults but sustaining physical activity. However, research has shown that only a small proportion of older Manitobans participate in exercise classes. There are several factors that could affect attendance and adherence to group-based exercise programs amongst older adults which are 1) person-level factors including current/previous physical activity levels, educational attainment, health status, and personal motivators, 2) instructors’ characteristics including personality, professionalism and previous experience, 3) program design including location, affordability and variety of exercise classes and 4) social interaction. In this study, we focused on factors that are related to exercise programs and instructors, which are instructors’ characteristics, program design and social interaction in accordance with the purposes of our study.
Open Access
Older adult participation in online exercise classes during the pandemic
(2020-10) Centre on Aging
In the summer of 2020, older Manitobans (65 years and older) were surveyed about online exercise, during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited through various community organizations (e.g., exercise organizations, senior centres, retiree organizations).
Open Access
Summary of findings
(2021) Porter, Michelle; Borges, Barbara; Funk, Laura; Guse, Lorna; Kelly, Christine; Mallory-Hill, Shauna; Dunn, Nicole; Roger, Kerstin
In the summers of 2017 and 2019, a team of researchers from the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba conducted a research project on the renovations to the special care unit at Riverview Health Centre. During this project, we were fortunate to have many staff, family and residents participate in the various aspects of the project. We are grateful to all participants who were very generous with their time. Please note that all elements of the renovated spaces were not fully functional during this research project. This was due in part to technology implementation and renovation delays at Riverview. We had hoped to do an evaluation of all the new spaces in 2020 with family and staff. However, the pandemic prevented this from happening. This means that we were not able to assess the use of the new pavilion and courtyard spaces. The completed renovation and technology elements included: smaller dining and lounge spaces, new lighting, image films on doors (resident rooms and exit), flooring and wall coverings, murals, staff communication technology, and re-location of the nursing station. This summary will highlight research findings associated with the new elements and how they impacted residents and staff. Research findings come from surveys, resident statistics, observations of the residents and how the spaces were used. In addition, we made physical measurements of lighting and noise levels.
Open Access
Older adult participation in online exercise classes during the pandemic
(2021-12) Centre on Aging
In the summer of 2021, older Manitobans (65 years and older) were surveyed about their experiences using online exercise throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited through various community organizations (e.g., exercise organizations, senior centres, retiree organizations). This study is a follow up study to a survey conducted in the summer of 2020, investigating the experiences of older adults in Manitoba using online exercise at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Open Access
Exploratory study of Google Nest Hubs in the long-term care setting in Manitoba
(2021-12) Centre on Aging
In the winter of 2021, the Centre on Aging provided Google Nest Hub devices to 80 personal care homes/supportive housing residences as a method of communication and entertainment for the residents and staf. Following this, we conducted an online survey to evaluate the experiences in setting them up and using them.
Open Access
Research Study Final Report
(2022) Centre on Aging
This report has been prepared to advise you, as a research participant, about some of the general findings from the study you took part in during the first year of the pandemic (July 2020 to February 2021). The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of COVID-19 public messaging on the internalized ageism that older people might be experiencing. The three main research objectives involved the exploration of: 1. How older people interpreted COVID-19 public messaging and discussion, particularly as it related to older age 2. Whether older people felt more vulnerable at the time of the study versus prior to the pandemic and to determine what role COVID-19 public messaging and discussion may have played in such feelings 3. Whether COVID-19 messaging and discussion may have influenced the social and/or health behaviours of older people during the pandemic Data were gathered between July 2020 and February 2021 and included 1) a series of three interviews, 2) a monthly Expectations Regarding Aging Survey over six months, 3) a demographic survey, and 4) optional monthly journals over a period of six months.
Open Access
Enhancing student engagement in STAR
(2022-01-28) Campbell, Megan; Addison, Courtney; Dansereau, Lisette
STAR has a mailing list of over 100 students, yet meetings typically have fewer than 10 students in attendance. We asked the question “How can we increase student engagement in STAR”?
Open Access
Exploring Manitoba's Visitation Shelters/Pods at Personal Care Homes
(2022-09) Centre on Aging
The Centre on Aging conducted a study on outdoor visitation shelters/pods at personal care homes (PCH) in Manitoba. The aim of this research project was to evaluate the experiences of visitors, staff/operators/volunteers, and residents who had used the visitation shelters/pods. Eligible participants had to be 18 years or older.
Open Access
Continuing education/ professional development in aging survey
(2022-09-13) Centre on Aging
During 2022, the Continuing education/professional development in aging survey was sent to various organizations and people that work and connect with older adults. The aim of this survey was to know what continuing education and topics of professional development training were required for individuals and organizations who work with older people. A total of 146 participants responded to this online survey, which consisted of 35 questions. These respondents were from different health regions of Manitoba, with the majority located in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Open Access
Vaccination decision-making in long-term care
(2023-10) Centre on Aging
The Centre on Aging conducted a study of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making in personal care homes (PCH) in Manitoba. This research project focused on residents who were not able to make their own decisions about being vaccinated, and the aim of this study was to learn more about the perspectives and experiences of employees, volunteers, and families and friends of residents regarding vaccination decision-making specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible participants had to be 18 years of age or older, someone who either worked or volunteered at a PCH during the pandemic, and/or a family member or friend of a PCH resident in Manitoba during the pandemic who was not able to provide their own consent to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Open Access
Vaccination decision-making in long-term care
(2023-10) Centre on Aging
The Centre on Aging conducted a study of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making in personal care homes (PCH) in Manitoba. This research project focused on residents who were not able to make their own decisions about being vaccinated, and the aim of this study was to learn more about the perspectives and experiences of employees, volunteers, and families and friends of residents regarding vaccination decision-making specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible participants had to be 18 years of age or older, someone who either worked or volunteered at a PCH during the pandemic, and/or a family member or friend of a PCH resident in Manitoba during the pandemic who was not able to provide their own consent to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Open Access
Senior Scholars and Professors Emeriti Project
(2023-12) Centre on Aging
In the spring and summer of 2023, University of Manitoba (UM) Senior Scholars and Professors Emeriti were invited to complete an online survey regarding their perspectives on these roles at the UM. In total, 78 individuals consented to the research survey, although not all 78 individuals answered each question.