Annual Conferences
Every year, SSM holds a 1 ½ day conference with a theme focused on an issue that is important to older adults in Saskatchewan. There are keynote speakers, other speakers, panels, and other presentations, all covering some aspect of that year’s theme. These speakers may be local to Saskatchewan, they may be from elsewhere in Canada, they might even be from as far away as Australia. They all hold in common a keen interest and expertise on the topic being addressed.
The conferences from 2011 to 2022 are listed below. For some of them, there are links to video, PowerPoint and PDF presentations on topics of continuing interest to older adults here and elsewhere. Click the titles in bold to access the presentations. There is a wealth of information here.
2022: Home Supports -- From Need to Reality
Held May 18 and 19 via Zoom
Presentations: (videos now available!)
Dr. Samir Sinha (Canada, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Director of Health Policy Research at Ryerson University’s National Institute on Aging.
Click here for the video of his keynote: Location! Location! It Matters Where You Age
Dr. Michael Nielsen (Denmark, Vice President responsible for Advocacy, Strategy, and Innovation at DaneAge Association – Ældre Sagen).
Click here for the video of his keynote: Danish Experience and Perspectives
Dr. Gillian Ranson (Canada, journalist and sociologist, a front-wave boomer herself, author of Front-Wave Boomers – Growing (Very) Old, Staying Connected and Re-Imagining Aging).
Click here for the video of her keynote: How Boomers Are Changing Views on Aging
Panel: What’s Happening in Saskatchewan with Wendy Thienes – Aging in Place Shaunavon, Jessica Brost, Paramedic – Reducing Emergency Calls with Older People, and Brian Harris – SSM Home Supports Initiative Progress Report.
Click here for video: What’s Happening in Saskatchewan
Panel: From Dream to Reality with Shan Landry (moderator); Beliz Açan Osman; Brian Harris; Rennie Harper; and Jayne Whyte
Click here for video: Home Supports — From Dream to Reality
Update on Australian Support for the Aged Programs
Sponsors
All the sponsor logos here are hyperlinks. Click the logo to go to the sponsor’s website.
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
2021: Positive Aging — Reshaping Care for Older Adults
2020: Positive Aging — Saskatchewan Needs a Plan!
Presentations
Speaker Video: Strategizing for Positive Aging — A Global Stage for Local Action (Jim Hamilton)
Speaker: What Does It Mean to be an Older Adult? (Norah Keating)
Speaker: What We Can Learn From the Experience of the BC Seniors Advocate (Isobel MacKenzie)
2019: Discovering Treasure in Our Hometown!! Discovering the Value of Older Adults in Our Communities
May 21 & 22, 2019, Conexus Arts Centre, Regina
Purpose:
Keynote Speakers:
In addition to our keynote speakers we were pleased to welcome the following:
- Seniors Strategy for SK Mapping the Future in Saskatchewan
- Rural Transportation – Alexander Crizzle Finding the Best Route
- Housing – Kristine Greenaway Where will you live? Check out the ‘Old Coots Commune’.
- Ageism & Media – Linda Anderson Roadblocks or Open Roads?
- Influenza Vaccination – Lunch Presentation by Sanofi Pasteur
2018: Moving Beyond Ageism
May 16 & 17, 2018
Michelle Porter
Director of Centre on Aging
University of Manitoba
Re-framing Aging – MIchelle addressed the surprising ways that others interpret our words and helped us find new ways to get the message across.
Isobel Mackenzie
Seniors Advocate, British Columbia
Isobel addressed Ageism in the Medical System.
You can access the PowerPoint slides for her talk by clicking on the title
Other topics addressed were:
Media and Ageism
Recognizing our own Ageism
Personal Experiences of Aging – an amazing variety
How do WE move beyond Ageism
Purpose:
1. Become aware of the different aspects of ageism in our society
2. Consider how ageism effects older adults
3. Explain how ageist attitudes are communicated
4. Consider strategies to move beyond ageism to Age Is – positive images of aging
2017: Medical Assistance in Dying
2016: Alone or Lonely? Seniors & Isolation
2015: Changing the Culture in Long-Term Care
Mary Schulz
Person-Centred Care — Creating a Culture of Change in Long-Term Care
Improving the Experience of Living in Long-Term Care for people with dementia, families and staff
Debra Morgand & Julie Kosteniuk
A report on Dementia and Related Services in Saskatchewan
Tracy Danylyshen-Laycock
Gentle Persuasive Approaches Program
Jennifer Martel
Crystal Spooner
2014: Age Friendly/Elder Abuse Free Communities
The conference provided an opportunity for participants to explore what an age-friendly community is and to identify the connection between age friendly communities and reducing elder abuse.
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
2013: Finding the Keys!! — A Summit on Seniors’ Housing
June 11 & 12, McKenna Hall, Weyburn
Luncheon Speaker June 11, 2013 — The Honourable Dustin Duncan – Minister of Health
June 12, 2013 Speakers
Topic
- What are the issues related to housing for seniors and how are they being addressed?
2012: Remembering the Future – Can Medicare & Pensions Survive?
May 16 & 17, 2012, Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, SK
Click Here for highlights.
Louise Simard
Former MLA
Former Minister of Health (1991-1995)
Medicare – The Present & The Future
Lynn Digney Davis MN, RN(NP)
Provincial Chief Nursing Officer
Home Care & Long Term Care
Glenn Diecs
Home Care Consultant
Community Care Branch
Leanne D. Rein
Consultant with Special Care Homes Program
Community Care Branch
The History of Canada’s Pensions, Current Demographics,
The Effect of Changes in Pension Policy to Seniors & Their Income
Alison Hayford
Professor Emeritus
University of Regina Sociology Department
2011: Aging in Place — Meeting the Needs of Seniors at the Various Stages of Their Life!
May 17 & 18, 2011, Humboldt Uniplex, Highway #5, Humboldt, SK — In partnership with the Humboldt and District Seniors Association
Keynote Dr. Michael Rachlis
- A private consultant in health policy analysis
- Noted speaker on ‘Health care and an aging population
- Click Here for powerpoint presentation 1, Aging in Place and Developing a Continuum of Care
- Click Here for powerpoint presentation 2, The Sustainability of Canadian Health Care
Speakers
Roger Carriere, Executive Director
Community Care Branch, SK Health
Click Here for presentation, Saskatchewan’s Continuum of Care: Considerations in Developing a Seniors’ Care Strategy
Shan Landry, Vice President
Community Services, Saskatoon Health Region
Click Here for presentation, Aging in Place: Practical Aspects for Maintaining the Continuum of Care
Proclamation
Click Here to view Proclamation, Working towards a Seniors’ Proclamation on Aging in Place