Challenge Question
How might we redesign Canada’s support systems for older adults so that they are grounded in a fundamental valuing of our elders?
Partner: Barnes Management Group
Project Summary
When we think of Long-Term Care Homes (LTCHs), we think of facilities primarily designed to be a home for our elders who require supports and services for daily living. The current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant weaknesses, not only in how the current long-term care system in Canada functions, but also in how we perceive elders in our communities. While efforts have been made to address specific aspects of the weaknesses in the current long-term care system, we would like to reframe the issue to prioritize an elder-centred approach. The goal of this project is for a diverse team to design/re-design systems of support for older adults that are based on positive views and valuing of older persons. Team members will conceptualize ways to implement the following systems: congregate living spaces that are resilient, dignified, and connected to community; incorporation of innovative, technical designs to support seniors wherever they are living; effective provision of care when and where needed; supports that operate across a continuum in a way that allows for choice and autonomy; and communities that integrate older adults so that they can age in place. Students interested in this project might have some knowledge around issues such as social work, aging populations and elder care, community engagement, health and society, mental health, and advocacy.
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Partner Video
Organizational Profile
Barnes Management Group is a consulting firm founded in 2006 by David Barnes. In his early career as a social worker focusing on child welfare, David witnessed the value of collaboration and recognized the significant impact of supporting families through bringing together the necessary resources to make a difference in their lives. In creating Barnes Management Group, David wanted to continue to benefit society by bringing together professionals and industry experts from different sectors. The company’s core values of collaboration and teamwork influence everything from its approach to leadership, to its operating structure, to how the organization engages with their clientele. By connecting individuals to organizations and vice versa, Barnes Management Group is able to act as not only a consulting firm but also a resource network to provide greater value to their clients.
Partner Website
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Additional Resources
Key Words
- Seniors
- Long-Term Care Homes
- Community-Building