Podcasts about certified professional consultant

Matt Del Vecchio, owner of Lianas Senior Transition Support and Certified Professional Consultant on Aging.  Host of Life Unrehearsed heard every Sunday at 4:00pm on CJAD

Mr. Matt Del Vecchio is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA).  He is the owner of Lianas Senior Transition Support, which provides families with guidance and support in navigating home care and senior living communities.  Mr. Del Vecchio is also co-host of a popular weekly radio show, “Life Unrehearsed” on CJAD800 in Montreal and writes for The Suburban newspaper as their "Seniors and Aging" columnist.    There will come a point in time when one needs to consider a transition from home into a senior-living community.  These decisions can be filled with emotion, guilt and anxiety. What can be done to avoid crisis mode?  Mr. Del Vecchio will discuss the steps that can be taken to allow for a smooth and less stressful transition.   ______________________________________________    McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.  McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.          If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at dementia@mcgill.ca. 

Caleb and Riley are joined by Dr. Rose Joudi to discuss aging, agism and how to think positively about who we are, what we can do and who we can still become. Dr. Joudi holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Auckland, New Zealand and is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. She has more than 15 years of academic, research and training experience in the Psychology of Aging, and Social and Clinical Topics in Aging. Learn more about: Barbara Beskind and why you can still do what you dreamt of doing, even at age 85. How to navigate employer relationships where ageism is being experienced. The myths, misunderstanding and stereotypes that society has about older people and that some older people believe themselves Resources: Email Rose: rosejoudi@gmail.com Roses website Rose on LinkedIn Barbara Knickerbocker-Beskind Hosted by Caleb Miller and Riley Anderson of InvestorDNA Meet Caleb and Riley Book a Call Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Google Podcasts

Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA), Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) and Portfolio Manager Neela White joins host Chris Cooksey to discuss ways to include family with dementia in all the activities that the holiday season presents, including: What sort of activities should we do at a holiday get together? What should we be prepared for? What should we do if the whole experience becomes too overwhelming? How long is too long for someone with dementia? Please subscribe, rate and review. Reach out at advantagedinvestorpod@raymondjames.ca. Happy holidays and all the best for a profitable 2023 – new episodes return in January 2023. In the meantime, check out the archive.

 ↗ Many people may spend their whole life looking for a specific time when they discovered their purpose, when life just gets clear and all the pieces start to fall into place. Welcome, Melahni Ake!"I have discovered that my greatest strength is to add value to others by challenging people to connect to their purpose through creating programs that inspire them to explore, develop and share their passions. I simply believe we all have the potential to help each other realize and live our dreams that inspire positive change in the world. I am building an exclusive team of Everyday Leader WHY Professional Coaches to make a bigger impact in the world!"Oct 1, 2019, through a challenge from her mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, she began a morning bible study “leadership devotional" using the John Maxwell Leadership Bible that has been meeting consistently every day with people all over the world. June 27th, 2022 we will celebrate 1,000 days of growth together. This has created significant clarity for Melahni and how she is serving others. Melahni is dedicated to consistent personal growth in herself and others.  Starting her career at Disney and for a span of 25 years she was an executive leader in the medical device industry and held roles in executive sales leadership, sales training and global market development.  She is the founder of Everyday Leaders Professional Coaching and Consulting.  She challenges her personal growth everyday to find better and more creative ways that allow her to make sense of complex and challenging ideas to make a bigger impact in the world.She is a best selling author x 4, host of Everyday Leaders 50in50 Podcast founded in 2018, a certified John Maxwell Leadership Development Coach, Trainer and Motivational Speaker and a Certified Professional Consultant and first US Affiliate Coach with the WHY Institute.  Her passion is to challenge others to find better ways to discover his/her unique strengths, values and voice so that they can make sense of the complex and live a life making a greater impact to live a more fulfilled life.Specialties: Podcast and Event MC, Keynote Speaker, Voice Actor, Workshop Facilitator, Virtual Event Designer, Leadership and Brand Development Coach and Consultant, Strategic Media and Marketing Coach, Daily Leadership DevotionalsEpisode #206 of That Entrepreneur Show- The podcast where founders of companies and brands share their entrepreneurial journeys, lessons learned, tips for success, and more each Friday since 2019. Look out for Podcast to Podcast and Rewind the Clock Bonus Series Episodes released throughout the season.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melahni-ake-everydayleaders/ Website: http://www.everydayleaders.com Listen to all episodes here: https://ThatEntrepreneurShow.Buzzsprout.comWebsite:  https://www.VincentALanci.com/YouTubeShow InstagramHost InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInFor Digital Editing Inquiries and Potential Podcast Guests: Email: PodcastsByLanci@Gmail.comAdventure by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenHappy | https://soundcloud.com/morning-kulishow/happy

SUMMARY Senior's mental health is affected by social threats such as stigma, ageism, and racism, and impacted by individual circumstances such as isolation, loneliness, poverty, poor physical health, lack of independence, and abuse. In Part 2 of this podcast, Marjorie Horne (seniors' advocate and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting), Naomi Mison (caregiver and founder of Discuss Dementia), and Dr. Anna Wisniewska (geriatric psychiatrist) shed light on these contributing factors and the complex choices seniors are often faced with ─ separation vs. connection, resignation vs. resilience, and invisibility vs. legacy. They also talk about the role of spirituality in seniors' mental health, and the healthcare changes needed to make healthcare systems and cultures more integrated, personalized, and compassionate for seniors. TAKEAWAYS This Part 2 podcast will help you understand: Prevalence and impacts of macrosocial (or society-wide) influences such as stigma, ageism, and racism Prevalence and impacts of personal circumstances such as isolation, loneliness, poverty, elder neglect and abuse, poor physical health and/or chronic pain, and lack of independence People who embrace aging vs. those who resent aging and resist change Impact of seniors' attitudes and behaviours on mental health Life-affirming choices seniors can make (separation vs. connection, resignation vs. resilience, invisibility vs. legacy) The role of spirituality in seniors' mental health Mental Health Commission of Canada's 2019 Guidelines for Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Older Adults in Canada Vital values for adequate care (recovery based, accessible, comprehensive, evidence-based) Mental health promotion and illness prevention Cultures of compassion within the healthcare system SPONSOR   RESOURCES World Health Organization Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health Mental Health Commission of Canada Active Aging Canada Alzheimer Society CanAge Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Canadian Frailty Network Canadian Mental Health Association Canadian Suicide Prevention Network Deprescribing Network Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario National Institute for Care of the Elderly (NICE) Seniors First British Columbia The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Caregivers Alberta Carers Canada Caregivers Nova Scotia Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Families for Addiction Recovery: FAR Canada Family Caregivers of British Columbia Canadian Research Centres on Aging   GUESTS  Marjorie Horne, Dipl. T. Nursing Marjorie Horne was 16 when she knew that the way we see and treat elders had to change. Her journey involved training as a registered nurse, becoming the Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Society, working in management in seniors housing and, finally, starting her own business, CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc. She is also a Conscious Aging Facilitator and a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. As an entrepreneur, Marjorie's goal was to bring a holistic, ‘Circle of Care' approach to supporting seniors and their families through the many transitions encountered in the third chapter of life. Her community endeavors of creating and hosting her own radio show, Engaging in Aging, every Sunday morning on AM1150, writing a bi-weekly column, facilitating workshops on Conscious Aging, and speaking at local events, are all driven by the desire to be part of a new paradigm where we reimagine later life with courage, resilience, passion, and purpose. Phone: 250-863-9577 Email: resources@caresmart.ca Website: www.caresmart.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caresmartseniorsconsulting Twitter: https://twitter.com/caresmartsenior Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-horne-46bb8937/ Naomi Mison, BA Naomi Mison is a public speaker, vocal advocate, and a champion of change. She has spent the last four years bravely sharing her journey as she cares for her mother who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, when Naomi was just 22 years old. She has spoken publicly through the Alzheimer Society of Canada National Anti-Stigma Campaign, CBC's Out in the Open podcast, Globe and Mail, Embrace Aging Okanagan, Pecha Kucha, and many more. Naomi volunteers with the Alzheimer Society of BC's Leadership Group of Caregivers, is on the planning committee for IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, and for the Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English, and a Diploma in Public Relations.  Phone: 780-885-3956 Email: mailto:naomi@discussdementia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nam956 Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaomiMison Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimison/ Dr. Anna Wisniewska, MD, FRCPC Anna Wisniewska completed her undergraduate medical training at the University of British Columbia and her postgraduate training in psychiatry at the University of Calgary. Her clinical career has always focused on the care of the elderly and their families. Dr. Wisniewska is currently a consulting geriatric psychiatrist at the Kelowna General Hospital and the Kelowna Mental Health Centre. She also works in her private practice in Kelowna and is a sub-investigator with Medical Arts Research.  Her passion for her work and compassion for her patients were inspired early on by her very close relationship with her grandparents, and maintained by the many wonderful patients, families, and colleagues met along the professional path. Email: DrAWisniewska@gmail.com HOST Jo de Vries is a community education and engagement specialist with 30 years of experience helping local governments in British Columbia connect with their citizens about important sustainability issues. In 2006, she established the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) to “inspire community conversations for sustainable change.” FOF's highly acclaimed events include Building SustainABLE Communities conferences, Reel Change SustainAbility Film Fest, Eco-Blast Kids' Camps, CommUnity Innovation Lab, Breakfast of Champions, and Women 4 SustainAbility. FOF's newest ventures are the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit and HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Podcast. Website: Fresh Outlook Foundation Phone: 250-300-8797   PLAY IT FORWARD The move toward optimal mental health becomes possible as more people learn about the challenges, successes, and opportunities. To that end, please share this podcast with anyone who has an interest or stake in the future of mental health and wellness. FOLLOW US For more information about the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) and our programs and events, visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, and like us on Facebook and Twitter.   HELP US As a charity, FOF relies on support from grants, sponsors, and donors to continue its valuable work. If you benefited from the podcast, please help fund future episodes by making a one-time or monthly donation. Marjorie Horne, Naomi Mison, Anna Wisniewska Interview Transcript You can download a pdf of the transcript here. The entire transcript is also found below: RICK  0:10 Welcome to the HEADS UP Community Mental Health podcast. Join our host Jo de Vries with the Fresh Outlook Foundation, as she combines science with storytelling to explore a variety of mental health issues with people from all walks of life. Stay tuned. Joanne  0:32 Hey, Jo here again with Dr. Ania Wisniewska, Marjorie Horne, and Naomi Mison, as we continue this vital conversation about seniors' mental health. We'll dive deep into the social influences and individual circumstances that impact seniors' well-being, the personal choices they can make to extend and enrich their lives, and the systemic changes needed to optimize the aging experience through prevention, personalized care, and integrated mental health care. NAOMI  1:03 Thanks for having us back. MARJORIE  1:05 We had so much fun the first time we wanted to do it again. ANIA  1:08 Thank you, Jo. And nice to be doing this again with you beautiful ladies and of course with Rick. JO  1:14 To start, can each of you share a little about your work as seniors' mental health care professionals and caregivers for the listeners who didn't hear Part 1? Ania, let's start with you. ANIA  1:26 I am a geriatric psychiatrist working in Kelowna. My work focuses on the care of seniors. I work at the Kelowna General Hospital, caring for patients with mental illness, and I also provide support to the Kelowna Mental Health Center to the seniors' mental health program. I also am involved in a small way in a local drug study program that looks at novel medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. I also spend quite a bit of time in my private practice where I see patients for assessments, and also for follow up long term. I guess I should also add, I'm also involved in teaching at the University of British Columbia. I am involved in teaching medical students as well as residents, which is a wonderful and enriching experience. Joanne  2:13 Marjorie. MARJORIE  2:14 I was trained as a registered nurse and then did a number of things over the course of my career. And I then went back to my first love, which was working with seniors. And that's where I started in my nursing career and worked for about 10 years in seniors housing within the elder care environment. I just saw during that time, sort of a gray area that didn't seem to be addressed as far as all the different transitions that both the older clients I was dealing with and their families, were going through all of these transitions and a lot of emotions come up. We're talking about grief and loss. So I almost felt compelled to start my own business, which I've been running for 10 years now, to try to bring a holistic approach where we really look at the physical dimensions of aging and also the emotional aspects of change and the grief and loss that many people are dealing with. JO  3:16 And Naomi. NAOMI  3:16 I have been a caregiver to my mom, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia, for over 13 years. On the 10th anniversary of caregiving, I decided I really wanted to use my voice to advocate for systemic change. So I reached out to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada and became a media spokesperson, public spokesperson for them. I'm currently involved with the leadership group of caregivers for the Alzheimer's Society of BC. So that's really rewarding being with other caregivers. In my professional life, I'm in marketing and communication, so I'm just trying to utilize my skill set. And really again, advocate for that systemic change in the area around older adults. JO  4:03 Thank you for all the great work you're doing, it's just incredible. In Part 1 of this in-depth look at seniors' mental health, Rick introduced us to macrosocial or society wide influences that seniors face. Things like stigma, ageism, systemic racism, and inequality. I'd like to touch on a few of those today starting with stigma. We won't go into detail about mental health stigma, as there's an entire episode on the topic on our website at freshoutlookfoundation.org. But for the purposes of this conversation, let's say stigma begins with negative stereotyping or the labeling of perceived differences between groups. In this case between the young and old. This separation often leaves seniors feeling diminished, devalued, and fearful due to the negative attitudes our youth focused culture holds toward them. Which means that sometimes people with mental health challenges don't get the help they need for fear of being discriminated against. I want to know how each of you see stigma through the eyes of the seniors you serve. ANIA  5:21 Stigma is so so essential to consider. And obviously podcasts that you have done would speak to that quite a bit. But I think in terms of a story, I guess would be kind of a general one. For some of my patients, they are quite reluctant to share their illness, or the diagnosis, or what they're going through with family or friends, for the fear of being rejected or stigmatized. And I also see sometimes how caregivers will sometimes minimize what's going on at home for the fear of, again, being stigmatized. So they will minimize the symptoms or cover up the symptoms with family or with friends, because they are afraid of what people may think or say. And it's really quite heartbreaking because it can lead to, in the cases of the say caregivers, a delay in getting the help that the patient actually needs. MARJORIE  6:11 Many times, if when I'm talking to groups of seniors and asking them about some of the emotional things that they may be going through, they just sort of look back at me and stare at me and I just wait and I wait. What is it do you think within you, that doesn't permit you to share what might be going on? They all look at each other, and one person always puts their hand up and they said, well, it's partly about my pride. And then they all look at each other and nod that there's some sense of, if I'm losing my memory, or if I'm feeling depressed, or if I've had a fall, I'm not going to tell anybody about it. Because this will show weakness. And then this may mean that my family feel I can't handle things. When one person expresses it in a group, then they all of a sudden all open up and begin to just again share what they're feeling about that. NAOMI  7:09 I also saw a lot of that sort of real concern around loss of independence, when I was working within the clinical research space. I was talking to hundreds, if not thousands of older adults and trying to encourage them to come for cognitive assessments, even if they weren't demonstrating any signs that just to get a baseline. The most prevalent answer I would hear was that I don't want to come in because if I have an issue, then you're going to take away my license, and I'm not going to be able to be independent anymore. Joanne  7:43 Can each of you share one thing you think we could do generally to reduce the mental health stigma seniors face? MARJORIE  7:51 We need to listen more. I see this a lot when working with seniors and their families. If we can listen and less be trying to advise. I'd see this often in adult children that they have their own fears coming into play that really interrupts the process of an older senior being able to talk about how they are feeling. ANIA  8:15 Sometimes it's education about having realistic expectations. What is a realistic expectation? What isn't? What is it that we could actually improve? What could we not? What's worth taking a risk? And for me, those discussions are typically focusing on quality of life. What are things that are important to your loved one, based on what you know about them? To me, it comes down to the quality of life. NAOMI  8:39 I work in communications and marketing. And so I really do believe that words matter. And the language that we use every day can be one area that we can focus on in the here and now. Oh, I'm just feeling crazy, or that person's senile, or they've totally lost their marbles, these different terms of phrase that we have in our everyday vernacular. And it's definitely only strengthening those stereotypes. So I really would love to see some really thoughtful discussions and considerations around language and really being intentional to dispel some of those prevalent stereotypes and increase overall understanding. Joanne  9:24 So let's talk about ageism next, which in simple terms is discrimination based on a person's age. In its Changing Directions, Changing Lives report, the Mental Health Commission of Canada noted that, "Older people have sometimes been viewed as simply a burden to society. Not only do the stereotypical views discount the contributions seniors have made throughout their lives, but they also underestimate their ongoing contribution to our communities and social life in general."  Ania, what are your observations around ageism? ANIA  10:05 What I would start off with is that there is definitely a cultural variation in terms of how aging is perceived. So in some cultures, the elderly are much more revered or put on a pedestal and seen as a source of wisdom, and matriarchs or patriarchs of the family. In our more westernized cultures, we tend to sort of focus a little bit more on the individual. We're less likely to have intergenerational living arrangements, maybe that's a good thing, sometimes. But it does make a difference. Just to give you an example, my much younger cousin who was born in Canada, and did not grow up with his grandparents. When he went back to Poland to visit his very elderly grandparents, he was terrified of them. And it's interesting, it's not anything they did or said. It was just the appearance of a much older person. And I found that so fascinating to kind of see a young child react that way to people who obviously adored and loved him. But initially, he was just scared because he wasn't accustomed to seeing a much older person. So we do need more of that sort of sense of intergenerational living. And I'm not exaggerating, there's situations where we have patients literally dropped off at emergency, because the family wants to go on a holiday, and they don't have a caregiver for the elderly mother or father. I'm not exaggerating this, this does happen. And it's obviously heartbreaking. But it's beyond comprehension that that can happen. And it does happen in Canada. So I do think that intergenerational connections is really important. JO  11:37 So what's one vital step we could take to tackle ageism? NAOMI  11:42 Sharing those stories and putting a face to a name or putting a story to a subject matter, I think is vitally important. And just really increasing awareness and prevalence of people living, no matter the age but really as an older adult, their best lives. I often find, we don't hear enough of those stories. And so I think that would be one way to really start tackling this subject matter. MARJORIE  12:12 I started to write a column in the newspaper about eight years ago. And at first, I was trying to be very professional. And while I was looking after my mom, sort of 24 hours a day, and then I finally went, oh, I'm just going to tell people what's happening. What I'm going through my own aging journey and also my Mom's was really like. And what fascinated me was that I started to receive so many calls and emails from people. And they all were saying the same thing that they had all these concerns about their own aging life, but they just didn't know how to talk about it. So we all need to talk about it together. ANIA  12:51 The only other thing I would add is, it's also leading by example in our professional lives, but also as people in our lives, our families or friends, focusing on the positives. One thing that gives me a little bit of hope is a lot of trends in our society, particularly kind of Western society have been driven by the baby boomers, because they are such a large demographic group. And because I look after patients who are by definition ill, or experiencing health difficulties, and we kind of tend to sort of see a very narrow section of the senior population. And yet many seniors are living healthy, fulfilling lives. And I'm, again, hoping that we're seeing the baby boomers come through that stage of life that will actually help improve that dialogue and improve the perceptions on the education as well. JO  13:37 The final societal influence I'd like to discuss is systemic racism. And again, with all of the podcasts on the summits that I've been producing, systemic racism comes up over and over and over again. So I'd like to know from each of you, how does racism appear in your corner of the mental health care world? Ania? ANIA  14:05 The one population of patients we've heard about is Aboriginal patients, who are really struggling with the systemic racism that exists within the healthcare system. But interestingly, there is also the fact that I think that we are having those discussions and being more honest and more open about how it is impacting patients. I'm hopeful for systemic change as well, and improvement in access to care and just the day-to-day care that we provide to patients. I'm not saying that we're there or even close. Taking the first step in improving the significant problem is developing that awareness and being honest and accepting of how much of a problem it is, and what it is that hopefully we can do to improve. MARJORIE  14:49 I don't see a lot of that just within the work environments that I'm in. I do see it sometimes coming up within independent living sites. Sometimes I will hear maybe a comment or I just sense when I'm being within a group, that there is some racial bias going on. And it's always very hurtful. And if I'm able to, I sometimes try to talk to that person that is initiating that. But that's really within my environment of working in elder care, it is quite limited that I do see it. I just think COVID has really brought so much more to the forefront for all of us, to be thinking about the inclusiveness of how much work there is still to be done. I noticed myself I'm just personally thinking about it a lot more. JO  15:41 Any ways you think we can minimize the impacts of racism on senior's mental health and the care they receive? NAOMI  15:49 One way is really developing culturally responsive, safe, accessible services that really meets mental health needs of a diverse population. Right now, I think what we have is not sufficient enough. And there's a lot that can be done to identify and decrease these disparities in rates of illness and outcomes. Joanne  16:18 Before moving on to talk about how a senior's circumstances can impact his or her mental health and well-being, I'd like to thank our sponsors, the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, Emil Anderson Construction, WorkSafeBC, and AECOM Engineering. These amazing folks fuel our drive toward improved mental health literacy throughout Canada and beyond. And we couldn't be more grateful. JO  16:47 Let's talk about isolation and loneliness and their increasing impacts on seniors, especially since COVID. These words are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Isolation is a physical state. For example, we've been isolated due to pandemic restrictions. Loneliness, on the other hand, is an emotional state, meaning that some of us are feeling lonely because of the isolation. Seniors who are isolated may not be lonely, and lonely ones may not be isolated. So Ania, how do isolation and loneliness play into the mental health challenges faced by seniors? And what are the most common causes? ANIA  17:32 One of the things that I think has become much more obvious over the course of the last year and a half during the pandemic, of course, is that sense of physical isolation that was, of course, a result of the pandemic and trying to protect everyone in the community from COVID. And it certainly has exacerbated that in many ways. And I think one of the things we don't always think about is the impact not just on the patients themselves, but also on the supports and isolation from the support of their caregivers. In terms of loneliness, the recent pandemic has, I think, exacerbated that for some of our patients, leading to increased sense of loneliness. And that of course, can lead to increased depression, anxiety, as well as a sense of hopelessness. Other outcomes that can contribute to isolation and then also loneliness are declining physical health, that may lead to difficulties with mobility. Therefore, a patient becoming more shut in in their home because of inability to get out. Some physical difficulties may lead to loss of ability to drive again, increasing that sense of isolation, and then possibly leading to sense of loneliness as well. Unfortunately, as we age there's a greater chance that those who we feel connected to will become ill and pass on. There may also be other factors like physical frailty that I mentioned earlier, and loss of sensory abilities. For example, vision or hearing, that can also lead to isolation. Many of my patients will struggle with hearing loss are especially affected in kind of larger group settings, where there's a lot of sources of auditory stimulation, and they find it very difficult to take in conversations. So even though they may seem not to be isolated, they may not be able to enjoy or partake in conversation as much, because they are having trouble hearing. And then of course, sometimes we see things like family estrangement that can happen and that again, can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation. Joanne  19:29 What do you recommend to help people become less isolated and more connected? ANIA  19:34 I think some of it is to try to look for strengths that we have, and also to make adjustments. For example, if interacting socially in a larger setting or a larger physical space, which can cause echo and other kinds of troubles when you have hearing aids, maybe plan for having a get together with one or two people in a smaller setting, where there won't be as many issues related to you hearing. Sometimes some of my patients and families, we discuss the idea of relocation. Some patients move, say to the Okanagan for the obvious benefits during retirement. But some of my patients, as they age and become frailer and develop more complex medical difficulties, find it difficult to be away from family. To some patients, I do encourage them to consider relocating to be closer to their support network. Sometimes living on your own can lead to a sense of that isolation. And then from that loneliness and consideration of alternative housing options like supportive housing, may also be a good idea that allows for increased socialization and interactions with others. And sometimes it's just a matter of being brave and taking some risks and putting yourself out there to find others. There are a lot of different resources available. Senior centers are wonderful resources to connect with others. The Society for Learning and Retirement is also an amazing resource for seniors, that can provide a lot of stimulation and opportunities for social connections with like-minded seniors. Joanne  21:04 Naomi, what are you seeing as you care for your Mom? NAOMI  21:08 I certainly believe that there has been an increase of loneliness, especially at the beginning of the pandemic when the doors were shuttered to all caregivers, and other forms of social engagement. I do think part of the issue in terms of long-term care is even the design of the physical space. For example, in my mom's home, there are three wings that are long hallways, with rooms adorning each side. And there's limited interaction, unless you're on that wing or going for mealtimes, which again has been changed in response to COVID. So for the majority of the day, other than a meal time, you would be spending alone in your room. Joanne  21:55 Another circumstance that some seniors face is poverty. And the outcomes can be things like poor nutrition, inadequate housing, or lack of transportation, just to name a few. And these will certainly all impact seniors' mental health. Ania, can you tell us about the psychology of poverty? ANIA  22:16 When we consider the impact of poverty on individuals, we can think of it in different ways. People can become more, sort of, ashamed of their circumstances, afraid to reach out for help, and focus on the basics and trying to get by from day-to-day. Poverty can then result in increased, kind of, physical as well as mental disorders, and can also decrease cognitive functioning just because of chronic stress. Joanne  22:46 So how can we start turning this around? ANIA  22:49 I think there are certainly increasing initiatives to look at decreasing poverty in our society in general. Seniors are certainly an affected group as well. Obviously, affordable housing is a big one, particularly in Canada, given the astronomical prices of housing. And that's not just for purchasing real estate, but also rental. For seniors who do not own their own properties, improving access to coverage for medications. Some medications are still out of pocket expenses that are not even covered by PharmaCare. And they can be extremely expensive. And some of my patients are not able to afford those medications, limiting the options for them. There has obviously been a lot of discussion in Canada and other countries looking at the concept of minimum income, and whether or not that would be something that will be of benefit. There's obviously differing opinions on that whether it's something worth considering as well. And also the role of families and how they are involved in supporting seniors, in terms of helping them with some of their financial concerns, I think would also be important to consider. Joanne  23:52 Marjorie, what have you learned about the impact of poverty on seniors' mental health? And again, how can we turn this around? MARJORIE  24:00 There's quite an issue with so many people as their aging, and particularly if they don't have the security of a good financial portfolio. There's a lot of fear that revolves around that. But also seniors have a great sense of pride. And it does limit them, I think, in reaching out to gain the support that maybe even is available. They don't know where to go, they don't know where to look. The generation of my parents, that's very much there that they don't want to be a burden to anyone else, even in their family or on society. They're proud and they've worked hard. Joanne  24:41 Naomi, what have you learned about the impacts of poverty on mental health, both in your caregiving and advocacy work? NAOMI  24:49 So what I am seeing, a lot of it tends to be this catch-22, where poor mental health leads to lower income and then vice-versa, lower income results in poor mental health. So I believe when you're navigating this both from a caregiving side and advocating, you really do need a lot of resilience to navigate, because you are met with a lot of obstacles along the way. And that really takes a toll on you. And when you're already worried about putting food on the table, paying your rent, it's really hard to steel yourself to fight the good fight on a daily basis. So, I'm seeing that people are just exhausted. They simply, especially from a caregiving perspective, as we had discussed that the supports that once were available to people, whether it's adult day support, or respite care, are not available in the same way. So the different areas that you may have had an opportunity to have a break or reprieve aren't really available. That compounds the stress to the point that you're often left just burnt out. Joanne  25:59 Let's move on to the conditions of trauma and elder neglect and abuse. Ania, what kinds of trauma follow people into their senior years. And how did they effect those seniors' capacity to live full and rewarding lives. ANIA  26:17 Trauma is obviously a complex issue. And it's generally kind of considered an emotional reaction to something that's quite distressing or stressful. And of course, those types of events can take place at any given point. Traumatic experiences can include exposure to combat or war. Of course natural disasters can also be very traumatizing. Accidents, be it a motor vehicle accident, or as seniors age, unfortunately, there is a high risk for falling. There are also experiences that can happen in terms of abuse, that includes both physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. And those experiences can take place in adulthood, but also in childhood. And of course, that can lead to some difficulties later on. Various studies that look at the experience of trauma and seniors will estimate that between 70 to 90% of seniors have experienced trauma in their lives, which is obviously not surprising given the average age of a senior in Canada. Now, in terms of looking at how trauma can impact a senior, I think a lot of it depends on how that trauma is experienced and processed over time. The way we experience trauma is sort of, I guess, in a way filtered through our sort of life experience, our personality, and also the circumstances. So for example, if we experienced something traumatizing, but we have tremendous support from family or friends, our reaction to it may be a bit more muted, versus if you are not supported or isolated, and may be much more difficult to cope with the trauma. But there's also, of course, concerns about delayed reactions and also chronic post traumatic stress disorder, which we will see in seniors as well. JO  27:15 What kinds of successes do you see in the treatment of seniors with trauma related mental health challenges? ANIA  28:07 Some of it actually starts off with maybe even looking at prevention, particularly when you look at seniors who are at risk for falling. So, looking at prevention to try to diminish the risk of trauma, being more in tune with what may be happening for them at home in terms of monitoring for any concerns related to abuse or neglect. Another thing that can happen in terms of prevention is even staying in hospital can be traumatizing, particularly for patients who are in the ICU. So looking at strategies in the ICU to decrease the experience of trauma in that environment. So prevention is one piece. And then of course, if a traumatic experience happens, counseling can be quite effective. And that can include more supportive grief counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other modalities of counseling. Some seniors do better with one-on-one counseling related to their trauma, and others will benefit from either group therapy or a support group. That sense of connection with other people who may have experienced trauma or similar traumatic experiences, can be really empowering and also normalizing for patients. And sometimes we do need to resort to medications. Patients who have severe post traumatic stress disorder can be quite affected by it, and post traumatic stress disorder can be associated with other psychiatric illnesses such as depression. So sometimes medications are also an important tool that can improve the quality of life for a patient who has a history of trauma. Joanne  29:32 Naomi, what have you learned in your caregiving and advocacy work about how to respond if you think a senior is being neglected or abused? NAOMI  29:42 If you are aware that a senior is being neglected or abused, you should seek out provincial or territorial resources on elder abuse. They will depend on the location, but really reporting what you're seeing. If it's a staff member, reporting that to a higher level, or if it's a family member, any means that you can just bring it to someone's attention is a first step. And if you're not comfortable doing that within a home setting, then seeking out government bodies to help support or guide, I think, would be the best first approach. Joanne  30:15 Next, I want to talk about the mindset us seniors have, the choices we make, and the behaviors we adopt that can help us live long, fulfilling lives. Now, bear with me, I'm thinking there might be an aging spectrum here. On the one end, could be people who embrace the aging process and choose to be responsible for aging, while on the other end, there could be those who resent aging and resist change. What's likely for most of us is that we inhabit the middle ground between positive and negative circumstances, attitudes, and behaviors. So honestly, does that make any sense? Ania? ANIA  30:59 Definitely, I think the way you have summarized it focuses on not just some of the responsibilities you mentioned, but the sense that it is an individual experience. So the mindset is very much a personal experience that can be shaped by the person's individual personality, but also their life experiences and sense of support from their community or families. It also I think, comes from a sense of purpose, and acceptance of changes. So I think if we look at all these factors, certainly we have to consider every individual in terms of their own life experiences, and their approach to how they want to lead their lives. And yes, I agree, I think we all need to take personal responsibility for our health and well-being. We talked in the earlier podcast about factors that can increase our risk of having various medical or psychiatric conditions later on in life. That may be, for example, smoking or dietary choices. So those are some of the things that we need to think about when we want to think about responsibility for aging well, is that sense we are looking at prevention as well. That's a complex decision for sure. JO  32:08 Marjorie? MARJORIE  32:09 I work a lot with people around change in many different capacities during workshops and webinars. Because I find that as so many people as they're getting older, they are afraid to step out of their comfort zone. And it's not that they're particularly happy in their comfort zone. But I do feel that as we're getting older, sometimes we lose a bit of sense of courage to move into the unknown. And I really do feel we need to support each other with that. And I'd see the benefit of doing that within some of these wisdom workshops that I've done for the last five or six years. And there's such a broad spectrum of why do people resist change. But if you help educate them, change has a lot to do with how we have dealt with losses and grief in our life, and Ania spoke of trauma. And of course, many people have had trauma in their lives that they haven't yet healed. And so coming together and sharing that vulnerability of perhaps exploring why people resist change, and bringing some of these components forward around loss around that, it's okay to make mistakes, and to embrace imperfection. Because I think older people somehow thinks, well, I should know how to do that, or I should be able to handle that. They're a little bit more afraid of looking foolish. And so when we just bring that out on the table and talk about it, and then people hear other people sharing that they feel that way, I think it helps people to move forward with a greater awareness of how to go about change. Joanne  33:55 Naomi, what are your thoughts on what I call the aging spectrum? NAOMI  34:00 I think that makes a lot of sense. I do find aging well takes concerted effort. And sometimes people might not be ready to put that effort forward, or like you pointed out, resistance to change, which I think is quite interesting considering the age-old adage, there's only one constant in life and that's change. I believe inhabiting that middle ground really is the key to aging with grace, as no extreme really works. I'm not there in that older adults state at the moment, but I can imagine that it would be difficult when you physically cannot do the things that maybe you once did. But accepting that things change and finding maybe new activities, new hobbies really will allow you to discover things about yourself and learn new skills that you didn't even know you had. I think living life to the fullest in whatever ability you are at like physically, cognitively really will ease potential burdens. And again, to speak to what we were talking about that stress and poverty, the more you focus on the aging side of things, the more it will stress you out. And that's going to cause some other unintended consequences. I really do believe embracing what's happening in your life is the best step forward. Joanne  35:26 So let's see how this might play out in real life. We talked earlier about isolation and the huge role it plays in defining seniors' mental health, and therefore their life expectations and experiences. What if isolation and/or loneliness were choices for some seniors? And what if they chose human connection instead? Ania? ANIA  35:53 I think it is important to recognize that we're all very different in terms of our personalities. Folks who are more introverted will tend to feel a little bit more comfortable in a world that's a bit smaller and has less going on. So I think there may be an element of choice, for some people to be maybe perceived as being more isolated or more separated. And yet, it is something that they feel quite content with. So I think that will be something that is important to keep in mind that we can't expect everyone to fit into the same expected behavior. We need to ask, is this something that you're content with? Is it something that makes you happy? But I think if there is an element of choice, we also sometimes need to accept that some people just feel more content. When I see that sometimes play out in my offices, where I have a senior who is more introverted, who actually does like staying at home all day and reading a book, and maybe their family member would like to see their mother or father be a little bit more active or socialize more. And it can actually lead to some degree of conflict between the caregiver and my patient where the patient is trying to say, I'm actually happy living like this. And the families sometimes struggle with accepting that. So I think we do need to consider those personal preferences. But if there is that desire for increased connection, then I think we need to look at options for people, and as I said, we've discussed those already. Joanne  37:19 Naomi? NAOMI  37:20 In my caregiving scenario, I think in the beginning, I really tried to get my Mom to do the things that I thought she might want to do or would like to do, or that I wanted her to do. And like Ania said, some people would rather just read a book, and she is one of those people. Over time, I have learned to just cultivate that. If that's what she enjoys doing, then I want to do it. But to harness that connection, as well as respecting what somebody enjoys spending their time doing, I brought forward the idea to the long-term care home. What about a book club, or coming up with some creative ways so that you're still cultivating that hobby, but also bringing in an engagement piece as well? And I think the pandemic, one positive thing that has come out of that is that we're really getting creative about connecting, whether it's Zoom, or telemedicine, or these different ways that weren't available to us or we weren't exploring, suddenly seems more possible. One thing I have also learned is that sometimes it doesn't even take words to have that kind of human connection. I know sometimes when I'll visit my mom, she'll be in a mood that day, and she's not really up for talking, and she doesn't want to listen to me rattle on about whatever else I'd be asking or talking to her about. So sometimes I just sit there with her and hold her hand. And there are no words, and that can speak volumes. So I think really living to what the other person that you're caring for, if that is the situation, and cultivating things that they enjoy will make both of you the most fulfilled, has the most possibility of success. JO  39:14 And Marjorie. MARJORIE  39:15 Music is a wonderful thing to use. And there's a wonderful documentary on Netflix, if anybody wants to watch it, called Alive Inside. And it's all about the aspect of music and that we retain the memories and the joy of music that we heard between 14 and 21. And you can find that if you play some songs for that person that maybe is disconnected from that time period, this look, they suddenly open their eyes and they begin to just open into their emotions again, and a beautiful, beautiful connection is formed that way. NAOMI  39:55 I have also seen that film and it is so touching. And I've seen it in my Mom's home as well, that people that don't really speak, almost mute to some extent, you put them in front of a piano, and then suddenly they're playing Beethoven. Or somebody comes in and plays some music, and they're singing along, and otherwise they're not conversing, they're not making those kinds of eye contact. So I agree, coming up with some different approaches can make a world of difference. Joanne  40:24 The next contrast we'll examine is one between resignation and resilience, which are both frames of mind. I know that many seniors experience challenges beyond their control and prevent them from living full lives. But I also know from experience that some of us give in to the challenges of aging. Marjorie, I know you embrace an approach called conscious eldering. Tell us about that, and how it can help build resilience. MARJORIE  40:54 I really came to myself when I just had turned 60. And I felt, boy, how am I going to approach this next chapter of my life? One great book is by Richard Lewis. And he talks about the stages where we have to really look at our past. And it's a letting go, that this is where we are at, this is the stage. And what have all those experiences come together to make us who we are, and that we may have had difficulties, we may have made mistakes, but it's an accepting process, and sometimes not a process of forgiveness, as well. And then it is about adapting to the stage of life. And that yes, physical challenges do happen. We are facing a death at the end of this stage of our life, and what are our fears about that, and exploring that? It's also called gerotranscendence. And it's really where we are looking at perhaps our tendency to resist change as well. Because this time of life is really about wanting to have an experience of more grace in our lives. And I define grace as being aware that everything that happens to us sometimes does happen for a reason, and that the spiritual component of it is that we are taking care of. And so it speaks a bit to developing trust, in even a bigger way as we're coming through this stage of our life, and allowing ourselves to let go of what was and be fully present with where we're at, as we go on each step of our journey. And it's very, very powerful in bringing, I think, a different awareness of what are the golden aspects of this time of life, which often do include all of these challenges that we've never faced before. And it takes a change in your mindset, I think, to form this type of acceptance. And also a trust that there is something bigger that is there, supporting us as we come through this stage of our journey is very, very valuable to look at. And I think it makes us feel where we can also find new passions and new ways of expressing who we truly are, that might have gotten buried over the second half of our life and gives us this chance to explore some of those aspects of ourselves. And that don't come out in whatever way feels right for each individual person. Joanne  43:34 Naomi, can you help us understand aging in place, and the infrastructure we need to help seniors stay resilient? I know this is important to you. NAOMI  43:45 There are different definitions of aging in place. But basically what it is, is meaning that you have access to services, and health, and social supports. You need to live safely and independently, whether in your home or your community for as long as you wish, or are able in terms of physical infrastructure. Aging in place would accommodate the different levels of aging. So in a physical space, there'll be a section for independent living, then maybe some supported living, long-term care, and then palliative care. And that would be all in one place so that you could graduate to the different levels without having to have so much disruption of moving to a new location, which I have seen firsthand can cause some regression cognitively, when they have to make that kind of move. Just from my experience with my Mom, and as I previously spoke about, part of the actual design of the homes at the moment, really don't foster the ability to age in place. Just to give you an example, my mom was about 53, 54 when she entered the home, and a lot of the people that were there were either palliative or in their later stages. So kind of placing her in an area where she's not with other people in a similar condition, I think can cause decline. And I had seen that as well. So I really believe looking at infrastructure when it comes to residential care is so important. And there's a lot of countries that are ahead of us, including the Netherlands. There's a home called the Hogawick. This is basically the leading model for aging. And that is a dementia village specifically, but just really allowing the space for people to live their best life in whatever stage they're at in their journey. Joanne  45:47 Ania, from your professional perspective, what does resilience look like for seniors? ANIA  45:53 Resilience is probably one of the most important factors that I consider when I see my patients and consider treatment options. And resilience, I guess, in a brief way could be summarized as an innate ability to adapt to either change, and/or stressful situations. It is something that offers a sense of perspective, and also an opportunity for growth. And that's definitely something that I try to tap into when I do talk to my patients. Some of them may have lost that sense of resilience or have a hard time accessing it. So some of our conversations were really focused on looking at previous life experiences when they were able to deal with situations that were quite difficult. And sort of we talked about how they were able to get through it, what helped them, and try to apply some of those strategies to their current circumstances. So it's definitely something that is quite important in terms of the work that I do with my patients. Joanne  46:55 Knowing that some seniors can make choices, what is one vital step they can take to move from resignation to resilience? ANIA  47:04 When I think of resilience and making those choices, resilience is actually something that can be learned or developed if one applies themselves. So even folks who may perceive themselves over the course of their life as maybe less resilient, can be encouraged through ongoing support to become more resilient. That resilience can also be fostered by a sense of close relationships. And we've talked about that quite a bit during our podcast today and also the last time. It can also be improved by a sense of physical and mental well-being. And I think the other thing that I look at also is a sense of purpose, because I think having a sense of purpose allows someone to feel more confident. And we talked about loss of confidence and how that can impact seniors as well. And then I think the last thing I would mention in terms of making choices and looking at resilience is also that there will be some changes that are inevitable, and that's part of our good outlook. And accepting those changes is also important in terms of our well-being, because if we dwell on the changes that are inevitable, we kind of get stuck and we can't move forward and look into the future. JO  48:09 Marjorie. MARJORIE  48:10 Well, I was just reading Brene Brown, of course, has written many books and studied resilience. And she had a quote that says, "Joy collected over time fuels resilience, ensuring we'll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen." And so sometimes people that have become resigned and sort of stuck, they're not feeling a lot of joy. They're not looking for, or exploring inside themselves. What does bring me joy? And sometimes we, I think, have to sit with that for a while and have some enquiry of ourselves. Do I want more joy in my life? Because you can't make people do things. They have to have some desire within them to have more joy or to extend themselves again, out to people. Just what Naomi was saying about giving, I think that's an important part. Whenever I feel stuck, I think okay, I need to go and give somewhere because it moves me out of that space. But people have to have desire to move from resignation to resilience. I've watched both my sister and her husband have gone through enormous challenges. And I remember when he had a massive stroke at the age of 61. And it is through love, it was the love that was all around him with his family that fueled that desire for him to say, and his mantra was what Churchill said was, if it's to be it's up to me. Joanne  49:44 Let's now look at invisibility versus legacy, which I must admit interests me now that I'm a young senior. So Marjorie, can you tell us what you think are seniors ongoing contributions? MARJORIE  49:57 A lot of people as their ageing feel like they are a burden. And so how do we help them to engage. And I think the intergenerational component is so important, because I've just turned 70 and I do find that people in their 30s do recognize the wisdom that I have gained over all the experiences that I've gone through in my life. I think it takes some courage to feel that, gee, my ideas are of value, I do have wisdom. And so that's an inward place that we each have to come as we're getting older, to let go of even what society perhaps feels in some ways about aging. For us as boomers, as we're moving into this time of our life, it's to discover what do I have to express? Where can I express that and how? And that does maybe take an engagement in a certain way that not everybody wants to do, but many of us do. Many of us do want to still be contributing. And so it takes a confidence to not listen to what other people may be telling you, "Oh, you shouldn't start that business. Or you shouldn't go and do that. What are you doing that for?" If it feels right for you, then find the courage to do it. That's where I think we're going to have healthier aging lives without as much chronic disease. And we're going to have more joyful aging lives even amid very difficult challenges that do come. ANIA  51:41 I would think of it as sort of a gradual process and trying to help them gain a sense of perspective, and a sense of pride in what it is that they have accomplished. I think it also helps to involve family members to try to help the patient gain that sense of perspective. So they do feel more valued and more appreciated, rather than invisible. And also consider some of the cultural differences that may impact the perception of a legacy. Because of course, there will be some cultural differences in terms of how contributions, either past or present, of seniors are perceived by their families or their communities. Joanne  52:23 Naomi, does your Mom or did she ever talk about her legacy and how it would be affected because of her illness? NAOMI  52:31 We didn't have an opportunity to have those conversations. Joanne  52:35 Does that make you think about your own legacy? NAOMI  52:38 Absolutely. Her dementia diagnosis, and it's inevitable conclusion has made me more cognizant of what time I have and how precious time is. And I know that I really want to leave my stamp or something that can live on beyond me, especially considering what I have facing me as a child of somebody living with early onset. There is a 50/50 likelihood that you would potentially be diagnosed with the disease, plus as a woman that Alzheimer's disease is often more prevalent. That's kind of ever present in my life. So if that is where life goes, I really want to in the time that I have now try to make a change that outlives me. Joanne  53:26 Before we touch on the mental health care system. I'd like to talk about the role of spirituality in seniors' mental health. Ania, are you aware of any research that demonstrates a link between senior spiritual beliefs and their mental wellness? ANIA  53:42 There is research that does reveal that there is a correlation between a heightened sense of spiritual connection and a sense of psychological well-being, for example, a sense of comfort, of peace, and more hopeful view of the world. Joanne  54:00 And do you see this in your patients? ANIA  54:03 Yes, it's sort of interesting because we think of spirituality particularly in the context of maybe more religious spirituality, as something that is generally beneficial. But surprisingly, there are circumstances where religious beliefs especially can present some challenges. For example, my patients who suffer from more severe depression, sometimes will have a greater sense of guilt or failing God, that can actually exacerbate their depression. Having said this, one of the protective factors that we see when it comes to suicide is a sense of faith and connection, spiritual connection, and quite often when I asked my patients who do feel like life is not worth living, or they have thoughts of suicide, and yet they are not acting on them. One of the more common answers I get is it's the faith that keeps them going. Joanne  54:57 Lastly, I'd like to touch on seniors' mental healthcare in our overall health care system? Can each of you share briefly what you think are the greatest challenges that seniors face within those systems? Ania. ANIA  55:13 That could be probably a podcast of its own. What I would like to see the most and I struggle with the most is the recognition or early detection of mental illness. Sometimes we end up meeting with patients where they've had symptoms for quite a long time. And one cannot help but wonder what if we had recognized it earlier? What if we had treated it earlier? Would it have led to that same degree of disability, loss of quality of life, or a burden on the caregivers? But I think in general, what the system will require to improve upon is a more continuous and more integrated system of care, including our acute care system and also our community. For example, we now have a Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, which I'm hoping is a sign that there is going to be greater importance paid to the treatment of mental illness amongst our community, including our seniors. But again, I think that early recognition, prevention, and also developing a more cohesive, more seamless system would be essential. JO  56:20 Marjorie. MARJORIE  56:20 A more family centered approach, if that's possible, so that everyone within the family is understanding what are the components of that mental health issue. And how can they deal with it themselves? And also, how can they support that person? I think that's an education component and an inclusiveness that perhaps needs to improve. And especially as far as seniors in the older senior population, the accessibility and availability has to change somewhat, because so many of them aren't that comfortable with computers. JO  56:21 Naomi. MARJORIE  56:21 Access to services in a timely manner, super important. Just to give you an example, we were looking for support for my Mom at the beginning of the journey. So we reached out to our GP, who had recommended or referred her to a neurologist, but it was over a year to get an appointment. And like Ania said, there could be a decline. And you wonder what could have happened if they had that timely response. NAOMI  57:27 Trying to get a dementia diagnosis, very, very difficult. There's not one test that you can get, it's a battery of tests, and the services are often siloed. And they don't always talk to each other. So as the caregiver or the person trying to get the best care for their loved one, we're really left trying to navigate all these systems that don't always make sense and are at times in contravention with one another. I would love a coordinated clear pathway of how to navigate the system, because I find that that is a lot of my time is spent just doing that. Joanne  58:08 For our listeners who are interested in more information about needed change to our seniors' mental health care system, you can find the Mental Health Commission of Canada's 2019 Guidelines for Comprehensive Mental Health Services. For older adults in Canada, you can visit the Commission's website at mentalhealthcommission.ca. We're on the homestretch now, and I can't believe how much ground we've covered. As a senior with mental health challenges, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sharing such great stories and helpful information. So let's bring this all to a finer point. Ania, if you could share the most important thing you've learned about seniors' mental health with other medical professionals, what would that be? ANIA  59:06 I would look at hopefulness as the most important thing that I have learned. Basically, it's that sense that there is hope that there is possibility for improvement. And that we should always strive towards the goal of improving not only that sense of well-being but also quality of life, and the well-being of the caregivers. Because often, the sense of improvement is tied into the relationship between the patient and the caregiver. So I think hope is the most important thing I have learned. Joanne  59:38 Ania, thanks so much for sharing your incredible insights. It's been a pleasure getting to know you and your work, and I'm really so grateful for people like you who use your talents and passions to serve a demographic that's often overwhelmed and overlooked. ANIA  59:56 Thank you again Jo, for taking on this really important topic. Joanne  1:00:00 Marjorie, if you could say one thing to seniors about the opportunities available to them at this time of life, what would that be? MARJORIE  1:00:09 I'm a lifelong learner. And I know many people say that to me that that's what they want to do as well. And that I think creates a sense of hope that this stage of life is wonderful in so many ways. Joanne  1:00:23 Thanks for joining us, Marjorie. Your broad understanding of the issues has helped us build a robust argument for improving seniors' mental health care. And I wish you loads of love and fulfillment in your golden years. MARJORIE  1:00:37 Thank you. I'm really trying to take that saying, 'the golden years' and really find where there are those nuggets of gold, even despite challenges that we go through and the resilience that we're cultivating as well. JO  1:00:50 And Naomi, what do you envision for the future of caregiving for seniors with mental health challenges? NAOMI  1:00:57 What I envision is really having somebody to accompany you through this journey of caregiving, that understands how to navigate these different health care systems and will help guide you along a defined path. I also see for the future of caregiving, increased access to respite care and at home care, and of course, an outlet for advocacy to make these systemic changes. Joanne  1:01:24 Naomi, your devotion to caregiving in general and your mother's care in particular, is truly inspiring. On your Discuss Dementia website, you asked the question, who will speak if I don't. I suggest that because you speak, many will listen, and positive change will follow. So keep up the great work. So that's a wrap for Part 2 of this podcast on seniors' mental health. So much great information. To connect with Ania, Marjorie, or Naomi visit freshoutlookfoundation.org and look for Seniors Mental Health under Podcasts. There you'll find their contact info, bios, a list of resources, and the podcast transcript. Another big thank you to our sponsors for this episode, the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, Emil Anderson Construction, WorkSafeBC and AECOM Engineering. And thanks to you as well for hanging out with us. You are very much appreciated. Please visit our website to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, which will alert you to new episodes of the podcast and for podcast information as it drops. Follow us on Facebook at FreshOutlookFoundation and Twitter at FreshOutlook. In closing, be well and let's connect again soon. Episode Reviews

Mr. Matt Del Vecchio is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA). He is the owner of Lianas Senior Transition Support, which provides families with guidance and support in navigating home care and senior living communities. Mr. Del Vecchio is also co-host of a popular weekly radio show, “Life Unrehearsed” on CJAD800 in Montreal and writes for The Suburban newspaper as their "Seniors and Aging" columnist. Mr. Del Vecchio will answer questions about senior living accommodations, the processes for getting a spot and how they are evolving as a result of the recent surge in cases of COVID-19. He will delve into what to look for when selecting a residence and the challenges that families and friends face when having to make the decision to transition a person in their care to a residential facility. This episode of McGill Cares is made possible by a donation from the Zeller Family Foundation. Original Air Date: January 26, 2022 McGill Cares is a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Alzheimer Care Consultant and Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information about the McGill Dementia Education Program or to make a donation, please visit www.mcgill.ca/dementia. If you have specific topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at dementia@mcgill.ca.

In the tenth episode of Colors of Recovery, Tania interviews Dr. Rose Joudi about considerations for working with ethnically diverse immigrant populations and older adults in mental health settings. Dr. Joudi discusses the big impact small changes can make in building trust, the intersecting stigmas these groups may face, and authentic ways providers can honor a patient's cultural identity. Resources:Rose Joudi has a PhD Psychology and is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. Rose has worked with various stakeholders focusing on supporting the needs of older adults as well as ethnically diverse populations. She finds it imperative that professionals are encouraged and supported in using culturally competent strategies as well as holistic approaches when working with diverse people. She is passionate about enhancing quality of life of immigrants and refugees, protecting them from exploitation, supporting coping and resilience strategies that promote successful integration, and ensuring that diversity is acknowledged in professional and community settings. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Webconsuls!Webconsuls is a digital marketing agency that understands addiction treatment. They're effective and ROI-focused. Their mission? To expand your impact by reaching new audiences. Visit webconsuls.com to take advantage of special pricing for NAATP members.Have feedback? Contact us at info@naatp.org

SUMMARY The over-65 age group is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, with rates of mental illness for seniors over 70 projected to be the highest of any age group by 2041. Add to that the impacts of COVID-19, and you have a complex and costly national challenge that requires urgent attention from all sectors, in the move toward upstream seniors' mental health care. Join Marjorie Horne (seniors' advocate and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting), Naomi Mison (caregiver and founder of Discuss Dementia), and Dr. Anna Wisniewska (geriatric psychiatrist) in Part 1, as they share their personal stories and professional insights about the mental health challenges seniors face, and the opportunities that abound for improved care and enhanced quality of life. TAKEAWAYS This Part 1 podcast will help you understand: Current and projected statistics related to seniors' mental health and care Personal stories of caring for family members Reflections on COVID from caregivers and a geriatric psychiatrist Lessons learned from COVID to improve the mental healthcare system Common myths associated with seniors' mental health Common mental health challenges (e.g., depression/anxiety) and opportunities for care available to seniors and their families Risks of marginalized groups, experiences of men vs. women, and roles of ethnicity, genetics, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), epigenetics Common mental health challenges for seniors in residential care and their families Challenges and opportunities associated with caregiving and advocacy Transitional challenges experienced by seniors of all ages Need for intergenerational knowledge and connection Terms such as “eldering well”, “eldercare”, “death cafes”, “end-of-life doulas” SPONSOR The Social Planning & Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC) is a leader in applied social research, social policy analysis, and community development approaches to social justice. The SPARC team supports the council's 16,000 members, and works with communities to build a just and healthy society for all. THANK YOU for supporting the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit and the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Podcast.   RESOURCES World Health Organization Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health Mental Health Commission of Canada Active Aging Canada Alzheimer Society CanAge Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Canadian Frailty Network Canadian Mental Health Association Canadian Suicide Prevention Network Deprescribing Network Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario National Institute for Care of the Elderly (NICE) Seniors First British Columbia The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Caregivers Alberta Carers Canada Caregivers Nova Scotia Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Families for Addiction Recovery: FAR Canada Family Caregivers of British Columbia Canadian Research Centres on Aging   GUESTS  Marjorie Horne, Dipl. T. Nursing Marjorie Horne was 16 when she knew that the way we see and treat elders had to change. Her journey involved training as a registered nurse, becoming the Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Society, working in management in seniors housing and, finally, starting her own business, CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc. She is also a Conscious Aging Facilitator and a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. As an entrepreneur, Marjorie's goal was to bring a holistic, ‘Circle of Care' approach to supporting seniors and their families through the many transitions encountered in the third chapter of life. Her community endeavors of creating and hosting her own radio show, Engaging in Aging, every Sunday morning on AM1150, writing a bi-weekly column, facilitating workshops on Conscious Aging, and speaking at local events, are all driven by the desire to be part of a new paradigm where we reimagine later life with courage, resilience, passion, and purpose. Phone: 250-863-9577 Email: resources@caresmart.ca Website: www.caresmart.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caresmartseniorsconsulting Twitter: https://twitter.com/caresmartsenior Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-horne-46bb8937/ Naomi Mison, BA Naomi Mison is a public speaker, vocal advocate, and a champion of change. She has spent the last four years bravely sharing her journey as she cares for her mother who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, when Naomi was just 22 years old. She has spoken publicly through the Alzheimer Society of Canada National Anti-Stigma Campaign, CBC's Out in the Open podcast, Globe and Mail, Embrace Aging Okanagan, Pecha Kucha, and many more. Naomi volunteers with the Alzheimer Society of BC's Leadership Group of Caregivers, is on the planning committee for IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, and for the Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English, and a Diploma in Public Relations.  Phone: 780-885-3956 Email: mailto:naomi@discussdementia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nam956 Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaomiMison Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimison/ Dr. Anna Wisniewska, MD, FRCPC Anna Wisniewska completed her undergraduate medical training at the University of British Columbia and her postgraduate training in psychiatry at the University of Calgary. Her clinical career has always focused on the care of the elderly and their families. Dr. Wisniewska is currently a consulting geriatric psychiatrist at the Kelowna General Hospital and the Kelowna Mental Health Centre. She also works in her private practice in Kelowna and is a sub-investigator with Medical Arts Research.  Her passion for her work and compassion for her patients were inspired early on by her very close relationship with her grandparents, and maintained by the many wonderful patients, families, and colleagues met along the professional path. Email: DrAWisniewska@gmail.com HOST Jo de Vries is a community education and engagement specialist with 30 years of experience helping local governments in British Columbia connect with their citizens about important sustainability issues. In 2006, she established the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) to “inspire community conversations for sustainable change.” FOF's highly acclaimed events include Building SustainABLE Communities conferences, Reel Change SustainAbility Film Fest, Eco-Blast Kids' Camps, CommUnity Innovation Lab, Breakfast of Champions, and Women 4 SustainAbility. FOF's newest ventures are the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit and HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Podcast. Website: Fresh Outlook Foundation Phone: 250-300-8797   PLAY IT FORWARD The move toward optimal mental health becomes possible as more people learn about the challenges, successes, and opportunities. To that end, please share this podcast with anyone who has an interest or stake in the future of mental health and wellness. FOLLOW US For more information about the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) and our programs and events, visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, and like us on Facebook and Twitter.   HELP US As a charity, FOF relies on support from grants, sponsors, and donors to continue its valuable work. If you benefited from the podcast, please help fund future episodes by making a one-time or monthly donation. Marjorie Horne, Naomi Mison, Anna Wisniewska Interview Transcript You can download a pdf of the transcript here. The entire transcript is also found below: RICK  0:00 Welcome to the HEADS UP Community Mental Health Podcast. Join our host Jo de Vries with the Fresh Outlook Foundation, as she combines science with storytelling to explore a variety of mental health issues with people from all walks of life. Stay tuned! JO  0:05 Hey, Jo here. Thanks for joining me as we explore the complex world of seniors' mental health. In this two-part podcast, brought to you by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, we'll study the challenges, gaps, successes, and opportunities for seniors through the eyes of a geriatric psychiatrist, a young caregiver, and a seniors' advocate and entrepreneur. But before I jump into our discussion with these amazing women, I'd like to set the stage for you. Given that the over-65 age group is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, seniors' mental health will be an increasingly critical issue for healthcare systems, all levels of government, academic institutions, healthcare-related businesses, and nonprofits that focus on either seniors' mental health or specific mental health conditions such as mood or cognitive disorders. Taking a closer look, we see that almost seven million Canadians, or about 18% of Canada's 38 million residents, are 65 or older. The rates of mental illness for seniors over 70 are projected to be higher than for any other age group by 2041. This scenario presents serious social, cultural, and economic challenges for individuals, families, and communities in Canada and beyond. On the bright side, a Statistics Canada study showed that almost 70% of seniors consistently report having good or excellent mental health, and that they are more satisfied with their lives than those in younger age groups. More than eight in ten seniors reported they always or often have someone they can depend on to help when they really need it. On the other hand, about 20%, or almost 1.5 million Canadian seniors, experience mental health challenges caused by a range of medical conditions, social situations, lifestyle choices, cultural influences, and economic circumstances. To help us dig deeper into this vitally important topic, Rick joins me to share what he learned from a variety of research and advocacy organizations in Canada. RICK  0:30 Up to 20% of older adults, or as many as 1.4 million people, report being depressed. And 40% of seniors in long-term care homes are depressed. More than 10% of seniors, and up to 30% of those with major late-life depression, misuse alcohol. JO  0:30 What about anxiety? RICK  0:30 About 10% of seniors, or about 700,000 people, have diagnosed anxiety disorders, and seniors have the highest rate of hospitalization for those disorders. JO  3:37 What about other kinds of mental health challenges? NAOMI  3:41 More than 500,000 seniors in Canada have dementia, of which there are more than 130 types. And more than 90,000 seniors have schizophrenia or other delusional disorders. JO  3:55 What about seniors and suicide? NAOMI  4:00 More than 10% of seniors seriously thought about suicide in the last year that was studied. That's probably higher now due to COVID. The overall rate for death by suicide is about 11 per 100,000. And the rate for men 85 and older is 29 per 100,000. JO  4:20 Great info, I just hit the big 66 so your stats hit a little close to home for me. Did you find evidence of personal traits that predispose seniors to mental health challenges? NAOMI  4:35 I did. mental health conditions are often affected by innate characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and genetics. Developmental factors such as childhood experiences and educational status also play a role. JO  4:45 How does a senior's circumstances affect his or her mental health outcomes? Mental health challenges are often intensified by factors such as poverty, poor health, loneliness, inadequate nutrition and or housing, lack of independence, and loss of loved ones. NAOMI  4:59 We'll talk about those more later on in the podcast. But for now, what about more broad-based social risk factors? JO  5:06 Society-wide, or what are sometimes called macro-social risk factors, include lack of available health resources and the impacts of negative social influences such as stigma, ageism, inequality, systemic racism, and gender bias. NAOMI  5:21 Thanks, Rick. We're going to talk about those a little later as well. When you take all of that into account, seniors' mental health is staggeringly important, and needs to be addressed at all scales. JO  5:31 To help with that I welcome our first guest, Marjorie Horne, a community seniors' advocate and entrepreneur. She has diverse experience as a registered nurse, hospice volunteer and executive, residential care services manager, columnist, broadcaster, and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting. As a Certified Professional consultant on aging, she uses her education and work experience to meet the transitioning needs of seniors and their families. She was also a caregiver for her elderly mother, caring for her in her own home for the last year of her mother's life. Welcome, Marjorie, and thanks so much for joining us. Oh, thanks for having me, Jo. JO 6:25 Marjorie, first, can you share the parts of your personal story that pertain to seniors' mental health. MARJORIE  6:27 My journey in seniors' care began really when I was 15 years old here in Kelowna, and I decided to go and work in what we used to call residential care, then in care homes. And that was an experience that really affected me very deeply. And it was where I really felt and was part of this sense of isolation that so many of the residents felt, and they would talk to me about their families not coming to visit. That they didn't feel that anybody really heard them. And I just, for some reason, found this just so touching, and I wanted to be there for them individually. So, when I began listening to their stories and just being really present for them... this was even in my teenage years... I began to see a light come back in their eyes that was sort of deadened when I started working there. And it really had a profound impact on me. And it led me into nursing when I graduated from high school. And I think it's what still really drives me to this day, in wanting to make things better for our older population. When I was caring for my own mom in my home, the last year of her life, it gave me a really close and real personal experience. Even though I do this professionally, it's different with your parent, and I was there for her for a good part of the day, hearing her go through her life review and reflection of her life experiences. And my mom had been diagnosed as being bipolar in her late 30s, and she had been put on a combination of quite a number of psychotropic drugs at that time, which she has stayed on for over 35 years. And of course, this really impacted me and my three sisters and our family life. And when she was 75, we actually took her off everything to have some major surgery done. And all of a sudden, I had gone to stay with her, and I saw this light come back in her eyes that had been really missing for about 35 years. So, this has had a dramatic influence on my life, around my thoughts around mental health, by living that experience for so many years. And she began to tell me once we had her off these drugs about sexual abuse that happened her life that she had never told anyone. She talked to me about some very traumatic experiences she'd gone through, that again she just hadn't shared with anyone. And it was quite heartbreaking to hear her in her early 80s tell me about a roommate that had hung herself, and my mom came home and found her. And that all of the emotion and everything around this had really been locked inside of her. As she began to verbalize this to me over sort of a ten-year period, and especially when she was coming to the end of her life, I think it affected me in a way where I really feel that just listening sometimes to our older seniors, as they're going through their aging journey is such a very important relevant thing. And the grief that my mom had held inside of her for so long, I really feel that it influences how our older adults are doing as they're getting older. JO  10:20 Thanks for sharing, Marjorie, I know that each person is unique. But given that you've worked with hundreds of seniors in transition, can you paint us a picture that reflects your observation about what that looks like? MARJORIE  10:35 I do think everybody's unique. And that's a very important thing to remember... that we don't lump people together and try to label them. I so often hear from seniors, as they're growing older, that they tell me they begin to feel invisible. They don't feel seen anymore, and they don't feel valued. Even my older sister who's had a remarkable career, earned every type of award that you can imagine and has had such a successful life. But five years after she retired, she said to me that she was beginning to feel invisible. And it shocked me, but it's an expression that people start to look at you differently as you're growing older, as the wrinkles are starting to come and maybe you're walking a little bit slower. And she was verbalizing to me how she just isn't asked for her input on things. And she was quite shocked within herself that she's beginning to feel depressed at this realization. That after everything she's been through, society really doesn't honor us as we're aging. I think you know, when you have that personal experience for somebody, you're looking at admire, and they're telling you that, you can see how across the board that I think, no matter what you've done over your life, we start to feel this way. And we find it hard, I think to reach out for support. So many people just start to turn in, I even saw this with her, separating herself more being quieter or for somebody who had been so outgoing. And so, I think this, of course, affects our physical health and our sense of joy in life tremendously. And I think I see in many, many seniors that I am involved with, it can begin sort of a downward physical cycle as well. And that becomes sort of the centre of their life talking about that. There's a lot of different things around how society views, people as they're aging that I think we need to have a shift in. JO  12:40 Marjorie, is there a flip side to the heartbreak you see? What do you see, that's heartwarming in your work? MARJORIE  12:48 I have many, many heartwarming things. I'm working with somebody who's 93 right now, and I go over and play crib with her, and I thank God she says sharp is a tack. I really have to work hard at beating her at the crib. And I see a lot of people in their late 80s and 90s that really still have a sparkle in their eye. Even people with quite severe physical handicaps. They have a mindset that they have chosen. They want to stay optimistic, they want to stay involved, they want to be sharing their wisdom. And I have many, many experiences of that. And it inspires me on my own aging journey, to remain openminded and optimistic about my future. They inspire me to keep becoming better, because there are many people out there aging that have that mindset. And I think we need to help it flourish. JO  13:49 Thanks, Marjorie, great insights. Next, I'd like to introduce our second guest, Naomi Mison, founder and CEO of Discuss Dimentia and an advocate for the Alzheimer's Society of BC, Cycling Without Age, and BrainTrust. For 13 years, since she was 22, Naomi has been caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia when she was only 53. Naomi, thanks for joining us and agreeing to tell your story and how it brought you to where you're at now. NAOMI  14:26 Thanks, Jo, for allowing me to share my story with you and with your listeners today. So, from a young age, my mother had lived with mental illness. But in 2006, when she was found wandering outside of a train station in her nightgown, it had surpassed a regular dealing with mental illness and moved into a different area. I got a call that she was being placed in an institution. So, I flew to the UK where she was living to bring her back to Canada. When we arrived, she was quite delusional and at risk for wandering. While her GP recognized that there was an issue, she did make a referral to her neurologist,  but the symptoms continued to progress and worsen. And my brother and I grew more desperate for answers. We took her to an emergency room, and unfortunately were chastised for bringing her there under perceived false pretenses as I mean, I don't know how much and direction you have in this regard. But I find sometimes when you're caring for somebody with mental illness, they know when to really show that they are thinking clearly and making the right decisions, when you actually need them to show the struggle that they're facing. So, after some more incidences of trying to find support, we were finally able to locate a crisis team who came and conducted an assessment on my mother's mental health. And at that time, they recognized that she was really struggling and recommended that she be hospitalized and was admitted into Alberta Hospital. So, at the time, she was initially treated for bipolar disorder, and that was about six months when they were trying different methodologies to see if they could stabilize her symptoms. But after a PET scan showed atrophy of the brain, we were given a diagnosis of Pick's Disease, what is now commonly referred to as frontotemporal dementia. And then instance, we were asked to make a life-altering decision on her behalf. And unfortunately, there was no time to really accept, grieve, or even wrap my head around her diagnosis. In that moment, my life was never the same again. Eventually, my mother's condition stabilized, but we could not provide her the level of care she needed. So, when a bed became available, we moved her into long-term care and into the home that she presently lives at today. So, after 10 years of caregiving, I decided I wanted to become a public speaker and advocate for people living with dementia and their caregivers. I want to share my story in hopes of meaning other people like me, and I want to fight on behalf of people and for people that don't have this strength, energy, or capacity. And that's what brought me here to where I am today. JO  17:29 Thank you for your candor. Naomi, it takes courage to be so vulnerable. Can you share with us the toll this multi-year commitment has taken on you personally? NAOMI  17:41 Having this level of responsibility thrust on me at such a young age was life altering, to say the least, I really lost out on the majority of my 20s and the dreams I held. For myself, I always wanted to be a world traveler. I had big grandiose dreams of going to a different country every year and working on a holiday visa. I even had an idea of possibly having a family one day, but that for me is no longer a consideration. When I received the diagnosis, I essentially became the mother to my mother. I've lost out on a chance to have those Mother's Days that you share celebrating your mother's life and contribution, brunch at my house on a Sunday, maybe sharing some bubbles together. Or even the comfort of calling her when I've had a hard day and you just need your mom. The consequences of this disease are a measurable and suffice to say, my life has never been the same. JO  18:47 Are there any silver linings to this experience? Maybe what you've learned about yourself that you can put to good use. NAOMI  18:55 I've really learned that the caregiving journey is not linear. A lot of things are learned through trials and tribulations. And this can cause a lot of stress, especially coupled with your loved one's behavioral changes... it can be trying. From that extreme difficulty, I should say, this experience has taught me how determined and resilient I truly am. From these experiences I have found my passion, even my calling. I am determined to make systemic change to honor my mom. I believe that by sharing my story, it shows vulnerability. And I hope that it will build awareness, understanding, and bridges. Most people have a connection to dementia in one way or another, and I can empathize with that struggle. But if we don't stand up and share our story, then we won't build the awareness needed to make the changes. JO  19:52 Thanks Naomi. We'll bring both you and Marjorie back in after we hear from our third guest, Dr. Anna Wizniewska, a geriatric psychiatrist with Interior Health in British Columbia, Canada. Great to have you aboard, Ania. ANIA  20:09 Thank you, Jo. It's lovely to be here with you, and Marjorie and Naomi. JO  20:14 So, given all of your medical training and all the opportunities available in medicine, what drew you to geriatric psychiatry? ANIA  20:23 Thank you for asking, Jo. It's interesting that the three of us probably reflect on our experience and where we are right now in our lives, going back to our family, and our sometimes formative years. And I think when I look back on my own decision to pursue this career, I really think started in my childhood. I was especially close to by grandparents, and especially my grandfather. And it's sort of, I think, developed a sense of affinity and closeness with seniors in general. It also offered me an opportunity because I grew up with my grandparents living next door to listen to their life stories and to be very interested in their experience. They both survived the war, my grandfather was a POW for six years... there was a lot to learn from them, and a lot to really come to understand through their experience of their lives. And then later on, once I became a teenager, my grandmother, unfortunately, developed dementia. And her dementia was particularly challenging because she had a lot of psychosis. She was quite delusional, particularly around my grandfather. And that led to a lot of distress for our whole family, understandably, but most of all, for my grandfather. And what I always found so fascinating about that relationship was, even though my grandmother would do things that are really quite awful when she was ill, my grandfather never complained. And I always felt that it was so fascinating that, in spite of the things that were happening to him, he never had a word of complaint. And as a teenager, I found it difficult to understand. Why would he be so understanding so forgiving, and seemingly so uninfected? And of course, as I got older, I think I came to understand it a lot more, I hope. And I came to understand it as basically a sense of love and a sense of devotion. And I think that's, in the end, what actually led me to this field. I always wanted to be a doctor, that wasn't something that came later in life. And I think I was always drawn to the idea of helping others and caring for other people. And when my long journey into medicine kind of came to fruition, I actually had an interest more in the opposite-end age spectrum... and that is a care of children. I was quite interested in pediatrics. And I was also very interested in psychiatry, and specifically child and adolescent psychiatry. So, when I actually got into training in psychiatry, it was with the idea of becoming a child adolescent psychiatrist... but I kind of ended up at the other end of the spectrum. That occurred primarily, I think, through the fact that I realized that child and adolescent psychiatry was not really for me for various reasons. And then being influenced by preceptors, who were really quite outstanding, and really showed me how enriching the work can be and how wonderful that work can be. And I think for me, the reason for choosing geriatric psychiatry, and staying in it for almost 20 years, and looking forward to every day that I got to work, is I really like my patients. And that includes patients who, by some standards, may be perceived as quite difficult and unreasonable because of their illness. Because I still see that humanity and the stories that they have in their lives, with our children and grandchildren. As I said, it's that sense of affinity for them, and the appreciation of the stories of their lives and the desire to understand them as people not just in the moment that they are ill or unwell, but to understand them through their whole life experience. The other part of what I love about my job, of course, is our job is challenging and it's stimulating. In geriatric psychiatry, we have to pay a lot of attention to general medical conditions, medications that our patients take. There's not a boring day when I go to work, which again, I appreciate. I know it sounds a bit selfish, but it's also wonderful to have that stimulation. And in the end, it's just extremely rewarding. Many of my patients I have known for more than ten years, and their families have known for more than ten years. I have multi-generational patients, so patients who are from the same family but from different generations, because I have been in this community for so long to see improvement in symptoms or sometimes maybe symptoms can be improved by the quality of life can. It's extremely rewarding to see my patients improved to see their families maybe feel a bit less distressed or feel a little bit more at ease. really wonderful to see. JO  25:02 Another wonderful story... thank you. We know that each senior's mental health journey is unique, but do you see patterns, say of symptoms, of experiences, of behaviors that you can weave into a composite story for us. ANIA  25:20 The one thing that I mentioned is, I sort of see myself as someone who's sort of in the trenches. And so, I typically really look at people as kind of an individual story or individual family. And yes, there can be some patterns. But I think it's important also appreciate that every experience is very, very unique. And even certain elements of the story that may be similar for one family or one patient can lead to sort of different outcomes because of the age group of my patients. My practice is sort of from late 40s to over 100, but I would say the average age my patients is into their 80s. Many of my patients have experienced or were affected by the depression in the 1930s, quite a few of them by war, during World War II, mental displacement and the trauma that came with it. So those are some of the fairly common themes that I hear from my patients and their families. Other things that tend to sort of be maybe a bit of a pattern is, of course, adjusting to the process of aging. Some patients may be a bit more concerned about some of the more superficial changes that come with aging. But for many of my patients, the adjustment to the loss of physical stamina, or occurrence of physical disability, and of course, quite often concerns about cognitive decline as well. So, I think those would be some of the parents that I see. But again, I do need to emphasize that every experience is very individual. JO  26:49 What are the most common myths about seniors' mental health? ANIA  26:53 Things that typically I hear about from either families or patients is that having some forgetfulness as we age is a definite confirmation of a diagnosis of dementia. That is, quite often what I hear from patients when I see them about cognitive decline. So, it's the sort of worry that as we age, if we started becoming a bit forgetful, that necessarily means that we have dementia, which is usually not the case. Another one is, I guess, more so perceptions from the society that as we age, we become somewhat less useful. And I think that was reflected in some of Marjorie's comments, that sense of being invisible. So that's one of the worries that my patients will describe as their concern that they may be sort of perceived as less useful or a burden on their families or societies. JO  27:41 Rick noted earlier that depression and anxiety are the most common mental health challenges experienced by seniors. Why are they so prevalent? ANIA  27:51 I think part of it comes from the fact that we're much better at recognizing their existence. I'm not sure that they were necessarily less noted before or experienced before, I think it's more that we are better, at least I'm hoping we're better, at recognizing the presence of depression or anxiety. And I think seniors are becoming a little bit more open about actually reaching out for help sometimes. And we have to keep in mind that there are very generational differences in approach to how we deal with mental illness or mental health in general. So, I think part of it is that seniors are becoming, some of them anyway, becoming a little bit more open or the idea of reaching out for help when they are unwell. There are other reasons for it, however. Patients that I look after, because of their age, are more likely to experience loss. So that could be a loss of a spouse or a partner. Unfortunately, even loss of other family members, including children, who, depending on what's going on, may have their own health concerns. So, there are a lot of losses of course, loss of friendships, those who have friends in the similar age group will unfortunately lose their friends because of the age and the risk that comes with that. There are also changes that happened physically... certain medical conditions will increase the risk of depression or anxiety. Certain medications can also cause increased depression and anxiety, and, of course, seniors are more likely to take multiple medications. But unfortunately, depression and anxiety are fairly common amongst all age groups. But as I said, I think we're just a little bit better at recognizing it in seniors and looking for it when we see patients, especially in primary care. JO  29:27 So, in that seniors age group, are the treatments for anxiety and depression different than for other age groups? ANIA  29:37 The treatments in general are essentially identical. What makes the seniors more unique, compared to say a younger adult patient, is that the treatment becomes a bit more complicated because of the fact that older patients are more likely to have other medical conditions... so some medications may be contraindicated with some medical conditions. They are also more likely to be taking more medications, and again, you have to consider interactions with other medications that you're thinking of prescribing. So, there are some differences in terms of your approach. But in terms of the actual treatments that we would prescribe, be it medications or electroconvulsive therapy, commonly known as shock treatments, or psychotherapy... the approaches can be more or less identical, except for consideration of medications, medical conditions, and things like that. JO  30:28 What's the link between seniors' mental health and healthy lifestyle choices? ANIA  30:34 Well, I'm glad you bring that up, Jo. I think we need to get a little bit better at having those discussions around lifestyle factors and choices. There is no doubt that certain lifestyle choices are detrimental to not just physical well being, but also mental well being. For example, let's say increased BMI or obesity is associated with decreased well-being. And that can lead you to say, pain, because if you are overweight, you're more likely to have joint issues, particularly in your lower extremities. Issues that relate to poor mobility, for example, that can come from it. And that could lead to isolation. And pain, of course, can also increase the risk of depression, especially. So, certainly the lifestyle choices we make a great difference, say alcohol or smoking, be another lifestyle factor that would be important to consider. So, I do think we need to get a little bit better or a lot better at promoting healthy lifestyle choices. And helping people understand that the decisions we make now will have some consequences even later on in our lives. JO  31:42 So, Marjorie, you've been watching seniors in a variety of settings for decades. What are the most common transitional challenges you've seen? And why are they so difficult? MARJORIE  31:55 Well, the third chapter of life brings around many, many changes. And when I was doing work within residential care settings and seniors living sites, I saw just such an angst developed within a family when an older adult was becoming frailer. And there was just so much stress involved. Everybody was in more reaction around whatever change was happening. And so, when I decided to start sort of a holistic model of elder care and move into running my own business, it was because all of these transitions, and there's so many aren't there... when I started, it was the older, frailer senior. And often they were having to look at making a move out of perhaps the family home or a home that they had been in for a long time. And there'd be so much disagreement that would come up within the family and different ideas about what should be done. I think we all like to hang on to our independence, and so that was one of the major transitions that I was dealing with a lot was trying to support the family, looking at the physical change or transition that might need to happen as far as their living environment. But then try to help the family to understand all the emotional aspects that were going on, from the different perspectives of the older senior. And then often the adult children, and everybody was viewing things differently. So that's one of the major things that I have been supporting people with initially, to try to help the family as a whole move through this and stay supportive of each other, and also compassionate and understanding of the loss that is occurring, because any transition we make in life, whether is moving from a position that we're in, thinking about retirement, letting go of that part of our identity, if it's a loss of a family member, spouse or child... this deep loss in a lot of ways we don't understand that any transition brings forward losses that perhaps we haven't felt or dealt with that have occurred over our lifetime. Especially the silent generation, often, they weren't given permission to feel the emotions of loss when there was something that really was needing that. And so that grief comes forward. And I think people don't understand that. And so there becomes a lot of reactionary difficulty that comes up with families. So that's one of the big transitions is actually, even though 90% of seniors when studied want to age in place in their home, that's just not always practical. And so, it kind of evolved as I was supporting families as a whole and going through that type of transition. I then began to hear more from the adult children. And this just happened organically that were beginning to consider retirement. And they seem to need a lot of support. mostly as boomers, wondering how they were going to cope with this. Who were they going to be? How are they going to see themselves? How were other people going to see them? And so that is a lot of transition I deal with now, of the sort of the journey of moving into the eldering years, and how we need to change our way of thinking about ourselves... often let go of the past, of things that we're regretting or holding on to that will continue to cause us stress if we can embrace kind of... well, I call it conscious eldering, but it's really looking at all the different aspects of aging. So, of course loss for me, as I've been working with this so intimately for 10 years in this way, is the loss that comes forward over and over and over again, and how people are afraid to be vulnerable within perhaps a grieving that hasn't been resolved. But also thinking and knowing that as we go through all these transitions in the third chapter, whether it's physically, emotionally, cognitively, or perhaps we are developing a different spiritual attitude towards life, as our death is coming closer, and I know we're going to talk about this more, but that just seems to be the majority of my work now is trying to help people to talk about that, as they're going through transition. JO  36:45 Given that we all face transitional challenges in the third chapter of our lives... and at 66 I'm already starting to feel some of those... what is 'eldering well'? I know you talk about that as a concept. And also 'elder care', can you tell us more about those. MARJORIE  37:04 I've just turned 70 myself, so I am definitely well into this whole process myself. And it's kind of an interesting journey to the aging at this point, and still involved in working. So, the things that I am trying to talk to other people about, obviously, I'm having to look at within myself, as I'm now really moving through my own eldering journey. There are so many people as they're going through these transitions in this chapter that they fight against getting older. I do a lot of teaching and workshops, and I just hear it so much. And I watched my own mom, too, because she was living with me as she was going through her last year of her life, fighting it the whole way. And I came to realize that this is really such a key aspect of how we go through this stage of our life. Do we fight it? Do we fight that even having to become a little more interdependent, that is part of this stage of life? And if we fight it, wanting to use this word, "I want my independence, I want my independence," we're actually shutting ourselves off from what I think are some of the gifts of this circle of life that we are all in. And so, I talk to people a lot about that. This stage of life is, I realize every year that passes now, you know, even between 65 and 70, is very different, the changes we're going through than in our middle years. Being present with where you're at whether you're in your 60s or 70s, your 80s, or for more and more people who are living into their 90s now, I think elder care is, to me, it's really understanding that growing older does take resilience. We have to cultivate a resilience because there's a great sense of impermanence as you're getting older. And as you see friends die suddenly, or your spouse die much sooner than what's expected, it takes resilience. And I think the more we can improve how well we elder is taking and looking at each other from a more holistic viewpoint of all the emotional changes, the physical changes, the cognitive changes, and also how do we move towards accepting that death? We are all going to go through that. JO  39:36 Well, and that's a perfect segue into my next question. When you and I were preparing for this episode, we talked about dying well, and how death cafes and end of life. doulas can help. Tell us more about that. MARJORIE  39:52 I've done a lot of palliative care and I was intimately involved with both of my parents' final year of life. My dad, when he was dying with cancer, and I left my job to take care of him. And with my mom as well, from really not dying from cancer, but dying, really from old age. I really had to look at this and explore my own fears of death, even though I thought I was more comfortable with it than some people, having gone through that with my parents so closely. I think this is another big part of, I guess, us opening more to the vulnerability that we're all going to die. And we're all going to experience more death, particularly at this stage of life. And so, understanding that it's closer as we crossover into our 60s... I think right then you start to feel... wow, gee, this came awful fast. And we know that the completion of our life comes at the end of this chapter. But can we really talk about that? Can we really face what our fears might be about that? I think it's a very important part of shifting this paradigm to embracing this stage of life, both the challenges of it... and also, as we embrace the challenges, I think we can open more to the joys that there are at this stage of life. There are many... even sitting with your parents as they're coming to their death. There are so many gifts in that, I think as we can talk about this more and be more willing to embrace the aspect of our parents coming to their death, and being with them, I just can't tell you the gifts I received from that. And then it has helped me from how I watched my parents come to their deaths, one fighting at completely and the other just surrendering to it. It showed me that I wanted to just start surrendering and letting go more at this stage of my life. JO  42:02 My mom and I were very close. She died when she was 88 and she had two requests. One was that she die at home, and that she die in my arms. And that actually unfolded that way. And I have to say that it was one of the most, if not the most meaningful, experience of my whole life. It was transformative. MARJORIE  42:26 It was for me, too. It absolutely transformed me going through at the age of 40 my dad's death and that time I spent with him. I think there's a real trend moving to end of life doulas... I have two on staff myself because I feel it's an important part. People need support with it. It is not easy to sit with somebody you love who is dying. It's hard. It's hard. It's rewarding. But I think that we are seeing more and more end-of-life doulas being educated. I talk a lot to families of how much value I got from this, and encourage and support them, and that's what end-of- life doulas do. That's important part of us moving forward to embracing death in a much healthier way. I think society is still in the dark ages around it, to be honest. JO  43:20 Naomi, let's bring you now back into the conversation. I so admire your devotion to your mother's care. I'm really interested to know what drives this devotion. NAOMI  43:33 For me really, when I was growing up, my mother was my best friend. We talked about all kinds of different things, she was very open, and created a safe space for me to share. So, we were quite close. And I'll always hold those memories at the forefront of my mind, even as her behavior changes, or her cognition declines, I just still hold those memories ever present. And so that really does inspire my devotion, as well as I know that if the roles were reversed, she would do her best to care for me. So, I feel inclined and really drawn to do the best for her. And moreover, if I don't provide the care, who will? Who is there to step up and provide that level of care? So, it's both an obligation as well as a gift. JO  44:27 One of the things we talked about while preparing for this podcast was the need for intergenerational knowledge and support related to seniors' mental health issues. As a young person who lives in that world, what do you think other young people need to know? NAOMI  44:46 There seems to be a stigma around aging, which we've touched on, and I know we will talk about later, where somehow older adults aren't always held in the same regard as youth. And that goes to show as well for dementia, where it's more of an out of sight out of mind, where we've really constructed our society around that. And I find that extremely disheartening, because I think there's exceptional knowledge to be gained from engaging older adults, as well as people living with dementia. I really think that there's immense knowledge that can be derived from building these relationships with older adults. And I'll just give you an example for myself. I know at the onset of the pandemic, I really wanted to try to make a difference, and I know there was a lot of seniors being isolated. So, I had reached out to the Seniors' Outreach and Resource Center locally and just express my interest in helping out. I was paired with a senior that was also looking for support. And basically, what I would do was to call her once a week for about a ten-minute conversation... just ask her about how her day was, what her plan was for the weekend, how she was feeling. And I couldn't believe the immense amount of gratitude I felt for my time... it was just so touching and rewarding. She had expressed how it was really helping her... I actually really felt like it was helping me, and I was really making a difference in contributing in a meaningful way. I really think to foster these intergenerational discussions is really about seeing the value that can be offered by really just engaging that conversation and engaging older adults. JO  46:40 Along that same vein, we talked about bringing young people into the conversation early, by way of what you call "courageous conversations." Tell us about that. NAOMI  46:52 I've been advocating for this for years, because realistically, aging and death is a part of life and an inevitability. Yet I find that we don't often have open and honest discussions about this topic. So, I routinely encourage people to have these courageous conversations... to really talk about those hard, often not discussed, topics so that you can have these discussions while your loved one still has all of their faculties and can express their wishes. For instance, asking a parent if they would prefer to be buried or cremated, or do they want to do-not-resuscitate order in place? If they were on a ventilator, and they were in a vegetative state, would they want to continue in that state? Or would they want to move past that? These conversations that you have, while difficult will really inform future decisions. That way, you won't have to run into the same scenario, or people will not have to run into the same scenario as I did, where I'm making a decision on behalf of someone else, rather than bringing their wishes to actualization. You'll be more grateful and thankful that you had these conversations than if you had not. JO  48:12 Tell us about other opportunities we have to help seniors mental health by bridging that generation gap. NAOMI  48:20 By bridging this intergenerational gap. It can really fight isolation and loneliness, which we know is so prevalent at the moment. And I think one way to do that is really working towards intergenerational programming. So really bringing together people from different age populations around activities that focus either on young children or older adults. And there are some examples where this is being undertaken successfully. There is a St. Joseph's Home for the Asian Hospice in Singapore, that's not really adhering to the typical nursing home. The facility includes a childcare centre that accommodates about 50 children. And at the centre of St. Joseph's courtyard is an intergenerational playground that really fosters spontaneous interactions between older adults living in the nursing home and the little ones that are being cared for at the childcare centre. And I think these creative solutions really do promote that intergenerational and community connection that's needed to combat isolation and loneliness. JO  49:30 Earlier, Rick talked about the onset and extent of seniors' mental health challenges being affected by innate personal characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, and genetics, and developmental factors such as childhood experiences and educational status. So, let's have a bit of a free for all here. First of all, how do risks and experiences differ between younger seniors and elderly ones? Ania, maybe you could jump in first. ANIA  50:04 I think one way that I think of it is, unfortunately, as we become older, there are some risks that increase the numbers will be risks of, say, for example, cognitive impairment or dementia. So, of course, much older seniors will have a higher risk of developing a cognitive disorder. Other factors that come in through, again, increasing frailty or other medical conditions as increased risk of falling or mobility issues. And of course, that can result in increased risk of isolation, decreased quality of life, as say, an arthritic condition advances that can cause more pain. So, that again, impacts the sense of well-being as well as a sense of decrease in quality of life, or decrease access to activities because of pain or stiffness, and things like that. So, I would say there's definitely a difference there. JO  50:53 Marjorie, what do you see? MARJORIE  50:56 We're seeing, obviously, as people are getting into their upper 80s, definitely, I see a lot more risk and with people living in their own home, and with the cognitive changes that do occur. It seems we're seeing more of the early onset types of dementia as well, which is quite shocking and worrisome. There's risk at any stage of life, because of the unexpected physical things that can happen. My brother-in-law had a massive stroke at the age of 61. And no one expected that at all to happen at that time. We may be faced with extreme physical challenges. So, it sort of runs the whole gamut, I think, between this stage of life. JO  51:40 Naomi, any comments? NAOMI  51:42 I have a unique case because my mom was diagnosed at such a young age. And I found for me personally, what I find is that in terms of accessibility, and funding for services, is quite a bit of a disparity between a younger senior and an older senior. So, I find that if you're 65 and under, and you're looking for services, it seems that the responsibility often falls to the family to cover expenses. Whereas once you pass the age of retirement and go to 65, then there's old age security, guaranteed income supplement, and so on different medical and government benefits that kick in that do assist, and the financial responsibilities not in the same way to families. I find that's what I have been seeing, and it is a concern for me as Marjorie had mentioned, with the increased prevalence of diagnosis around younger onset. JO  52:44 What are the risks for men versus women? MARJORIE  52:47 Men, in my experience, as I see them going through the transitions, particularly moving from their work positions into retirement, seem to have a higher risk of depression. Often their identity was very well defined within their work environment. Somebody that I've experienced that went through that and shared his story with me, it's quite interesting, after his wife died and he had moved into retirement, he did find himself becoming very depressed. I think men and women respond to this differently. I think women reach out much more to their women friends and tend to be able to talk about that more openly sometimes the men can. JO  53:36 Ania, what does your clinical practice show? ANIA  53:39 One of the things that I think that's what Marjorie has spoken to is the increase in depression amongst men. And I think the big thing that I always think of in terms of those differences is that men are at a much higher risk of completing suicide, in terms of senior women versus senior men. So that's always a big concern. When we do see depression or severe depression is that increased risk of suicide. In terms of women one thing is that, unfortunately, women are more likely to develop cognitive disorder or dementia type of illness. And because they live longer on average than men, they may experience more sense of isolation or loneliness because of losing a partner or losing their friends or other family members. So that can also be a concern. NAOMI  54:22 If I might interject, one thing I find that's very interesting in this regard, and I don't know if you guys have heard about this, but it's called the widowhood effect. When it comes to life expectancy, after a spouse dies, if the husband dies, her life expectancy is twelve-and-a-half years. However, if the husband is the surviving spouse, that life expectancy is about nine-and-a-half years. So, it's quite a big disparity between those two life expectancies, and I do think it has to do a lot with connection. Husbands and men often turn to their wives for that social connection, whereas, and this is a generalization, women often have friends that they seek out and are more able to discuss what's going on in their life. And so, I see this as part of the reason for this discrepancy in life expectancy. JO  55:16 What about the mental health risks for marginalized communities such as indigenous folks, or LGBTQ communities? MARJORIE  55:27 I was asked to come and just talk to a seniors' group of LGBTQ here in our community, because the person running the group felt that there's just so much pain and sadness being expressed by people who were dealing with so much negativity around, non inclusiveness of this group. Many of them felt that they didn't know where to turn as they were getting older, because there doesn't seem to be an openness, even within seniors housing, to even talk to them about it, or create a space where they feel accepted. There was just so much pain expressed in that meeting that I had with them. I did go and talk to a couple of the retirement communities hear about it, and just started trying to create a dialogue. Because I think it's just something they don't think about, that there are a large number of people in this group, and they're seeming to suffer with it. So, I think it's another area where there needs to be a lot more discussion and dialogue and creating an openness that they need to feel included, and they still have the barriers that have sort of been there for a long time for them. JO  56:46 So, Ania, what's your experience with people from marginalized communities? ANIA  56:52 I think it's definitely an important topic to discuss, as Marjorie has mentioned. One of the things that I've noticed is, as we get older, we sort of carry with us our life experiences. And looking at Indigenous elders, a number of them would have likely experienced the residential school system, and the trauma associated with that separation from family... potential for abuse. So, those are the kinds of traumas that they will carry on. We know that Indigenous folks also are at much higher risk for struggling with adequate housing or adequate supports. I know within our communities, there are more resources,  but if you look at smaller communities, that becomes a significant concern. And also, some of the difficulties they experienced within their families, because we know that Indigenous people are, unfortunately, more affected by violence and substance use. So of course, that has an impact on the elderly as well. And then in terms of LGBTQ patients... one thing that I find interesting talking with my patients who have lived these lives for so many decades, is obviously being a member of an LGBTQ [community] is much more accepted now in our society. But it wasn't always the case, and sometimes it was completely unacceptable so-called lifestyle. And so to speak to my patients about their experience, and it was like for them to eventually come out or to transition to a different gender and what I was like them in terms of the impact that had on them, personally, their families, their job opportunities, and things like that, and our younger adult life is really humbling to hear what they have had to go through and how much it's still impacting them now. So, I do agree, I think we need to pay more attention. I'm not suggesting that being a member of the LGBT group is now easy, because there are certainly challenges and struggles that continue. But I do think that for the folks in the age group of my patients, that definitely was a very different experience than it's the one that after decades can be very traumatizing for my patients. JO  58:54 Naomi, what do you see in your work? NAOMI  58:57 I really see... especially in long-term care, homes... customs, and traditions that are outside of, I guess, the norm, or what's been created around or not really being considered, let alone incorporated into programming. So, I find that when these marginalized communities, or if they do actually seek support, the supports that are available to them aren't really designed for them, and don't help in the way that they need. So, I definitely think having them play a part in the creation of programming and designing of programs is really crucial to ensure that we're accounting for those considerations, those customs, those traditions that maybe are not thought of otherwise. JO  59:49 This is amazing! I'm just so thrilled that you're all coming at this from such different perspectives. It's very robust. Ania, this is a question for you. What about the role of genetics? ANIA  1:00:02 Genetics definitely will play a role in certain aspects of our physical and mental well being. There are certain conditions that are more likely to be impacted by genetic influences. For example, early onset Alzheimer's Disease is unfortunately associated with higher risk because of genetic influences. Certain other conditions, for example depression, can also have a genetic component to it as well. And then, of course, genetics around other medical conditions that will impact the quality of life and sense of well-being of a senior can also be important. For example, breast cancer... there are some types of breast cancers that are very strongly associated with a genetic risk and can result in developing cancer in your 20s or 30s even. There's certainly a role there to be considered for patients who may have a family history of particular conditions. NAOMI  1:00:55 Genetics does play a role. I also think prevention does play a key role. But for me, as a child of someone that was diagnosed with younger onset dementia, that means I have a 50% likelihood of developing the disease. I already have genetics working against me. So realistically, I only have prevention at this point, especially given that there is no treatment or cure for dementia at this point. So, I'm taking every precaution, but that's something that is already working against me. JO  1:01:30 What does prevention look like in your particular case? NAOMI  1:01:34 Personally, staying mentally well is very important. Continuing to expand my mind, continuing to really stretch my cognitive activity, whether it's learning a new language, or doing anything outside of my comfort zone, that's really going to push me... that's another way. Really maintaining those social connections. One thing I've definitely been trying to work on because my mom was a bit of a worrier, herself. So, unfortunately, whether genetic or not, I seem to have taken on that attribute, as well. So, I've really been working to be a bit more mindful and really harness the practice of meditation, to calm the mind and really get connected and rooted. Healthy eating... some things that we know through research that have a dramatic impact on the likelihood of developing a cognitive impairment. JO  1:02:33 Marjorie, any observations? MARJORIE  1:02:36 I think this is so significant, Jo, and what Naomi is saying, because having grown up with a parent that when I was eight was diagnosed as being bipolar... and living in really an environment that is traumatic in itself because of the uncertainty that went on constantly... and the behaviors that you didn't understand as a child. And so, I think for both Naomi and myself, having experienced this with a parent... having very difficult mental health issue... there almost isn't enough support, I don't think, for the children of parents that do have mental health major concerns. Because it really plays on you just even this aspects of the genetics, because I used to often be thinking and worrying about it, because there's history genetically too with bipolar, but it creates a fear. And I think sometimes we need to be providing more support in different ways for children of parents with mental health concerns. I don't think we do enough with that, to be honest. JO  1:03:44 We touched on the risks for people from marginalized communities. What about ethnicity? Are certain racial groups more prone to specific mental health challenges? Ania, let's start with you. ANIA  1:03:59 One of the things that comes up in research, and it's not necessarily maybe an issue of ethnicity but more of immigration, is that some studies have shown that immigrants are at a higher risk of developing an illness that involves psychosis. So, that could be schizophrenia, for example. And that seems to be a factor. The thing that I think about the most in terms of my own experience within my family, or my experience as a physician... treating patients from different ethnic backgrounds... it's more really about cultural expectations that families and patients bring into the discussion. This may be around accepting of diagnoses. This may be around expectations around caregiving. In many cultures, different ethnicities, there is definitely a different approach to providing care to elders, typically in the home and typically by the family, which is a little bit different from some of the more kind of Anglo-Saxon Western nations. And also, expectations around seeking help and even accepting mental illness for what it is because of stigma... or even very practical things like challenges around language, especially for more recent immigrants that may be a challenge or senior immigrants who come to Canada who have not had an opportunity to learn English to express some of their concerns. And sometimes it's about access as well. And again, that ties in to the maybe sometimes the language concerns. So those are the kinds of things that I sort of look at, in terms of impact of maybe ethnicity or cultural differences. JO  1:05:33 Marjorie or Naomi, any comments? NAOMI  1:05:36 It's like she took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to say the exact same thing, I think cultural sensitivity about mental health. In a lot of different cultures that's not accepted to talk about, or it's not recognized in the same way. So, I wholeheart

Receiving a diagnosis of dementia is a difficult reality for both the patient and their care partner, and a lack of knowledge about dementia can have a significant impact on the quality of care and safety. In this special 60-minute edition of McGill Cares, Claire Webster is joined by Dr. José Morais as she describes her journey as a caregiver to her mother and shares some very important lessons that she learned along the way. She describes the ripple effect that being a caregiver had on her own health, family and career, and talk about the resilience required to recover from a severe burnout.  Claire and Dr. Morais share “A Prescription of Care” following a diagnosis of dementia. Claire Webster is a Certified Alzheimer Care Consultant (PAC), Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA), and conference speaker and educator in the field of caring for an individual with dementia. She is the founder of the McGill University Dementia Program and host of McGill Cares. Dr. José Morais is the Director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at McGill University, the McGill University Health Centre and the Jewish General Hospital. He is also co-Director of the Quebec Network for Research on Aging and is the Academic Lead of the Dementia Education Program. This presentation is be available in both English and French. This webcast is made possible thanks to a donation from Ryan and Dominique Lynam in memory of their wonderful nanas, Stella Pearson and Muriel Wilson. Original Air Date: May 12, 2021 McGill Cares is a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Alzheimer Care Consultant and Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information about the McGill Dementia Education Program or to make a donation, please visit www.mcgill.ca/dementia. If you have specific topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at dementia@mcgill.ca.

Thanks to extraordinary advances in technology and medicine, humans are living longer than ever before, and are shifting the demographic makeup on a worldwide scale. As a result, more of us are living and engaging with an aging population in both our personal and professional lives, and there is a heightened demand for concrete research and advice for how to best provide care for this growing demographic. The Care of the Older Person brings together some of today's most experienced professionals to provide concrete answers to care providers of all kinds, from the administrators and health care professionals who operate and staff health care facilities and housing for seniors, to the spouses, friends and children who care for them informally.  Most importantly, this book is also for seniors who want to feel empowered at this stage of their life. Drs. José Morais, Serge Gauthier, Abraham Fuks and Ronald Caplan join Claire Webster to discuss the latest edition of The Care of the Older Person and their contributions to the 4th edition of this book which is now available on Amazon. Dr. José Morais is a Professor in the McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Lead of the Dementia Education Program at McGill University, and Co-Director of Quebec Network for Research on Aging. Dr. Abraham Fuks is a Professor of Medicine and a former Dean of in the McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Serge Gauthier is the Director of the Alzheimer Disease Research Unit at the McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, and a Professor in the Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Medicine at McGill University. Dr. Ronald Caplan is Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and a medical author. Claire Webster is a Certified Alzheimer Care Consultant, Certified Professional Consultant on Aging, as well as a conference speaker and educator in the field of caring for an individual with dementia. She contributed a chapter titled “Navigating the journey of dementia as a caregiver”. This episode of McGill Cares is made possible thanks to a donation by the Lindsay Memorial Foundation. Original Air Date: April 21, 2021 McGill Cares is a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Alzheimer Care Consultant and Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information about the McGill Dementia Education Program or to make a donation, please visit www.mcgill.ca/dementia. If you have specific topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at dementia@mcgill.ca.

Matt Del Vecchio is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA designation) and the host of “Life Unrehearsed” on CJAD800. He founded Lianas Senior Transition Support to help seniors and their families through decisions about where and how they wish to live out their golden years. Dr. José Morais is Professor and the Director of Geriatric Medicine at the McGill Faculty of Medicine, the McGill University Health Centre and Jewish General Hospital, in addition to being the Academic Lead of the McGill Dementia Education Program. Mr. Del Vecchio and Dr. Morais will answer questions about moving a loved one into a residence, including how to know when it is time move, the best option for your loved one, the steps to take to get a place in a residence, and how to ensure that your loved one will be comfortable and safe in their new home. Original Air Date: August 26, 2020 McGill Cares is a weekly webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Alzheimer Care Consultant and Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information about the McGill Dementia Education Program or to make a donation, please visit www.mcgill.ca/dementia. If you have specific topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at dementia@mcgill.ca.

Mark Faust has conducted hundreds of sessions for clients from companies such as Apple, IBM, Monsanto, Cable & Wireless, John Deere, P&G, Syngenta, Bayer, government agencies, non profits and a host of small to mid-sized companies including many multi-generational family owned companies. Faust’s consulting career began with Executech Consultants Inc., a nationally recognized human resource-consulting firm, where he focused on minority, diversity and organizational development issues. He brought on top clients and completed some of the firm’s largest projects. Faust has been an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University and he has held the roles of adjunct COO and VP as well as being an active member on several board of directors. He has been a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, the Society of Professional Consultants, and was awarded the Certified Professional Consultant to Management designation. His book Growth or Bust! has been a #1 best seller in the business section of one region of www.BarnesAndNoble.com To learn more about Mark visit http://echelonmanagement.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn HERE.  GET THE ONLINE COURSE TODAY (Promo code ROMINA) VISIT WWW.CONNECTWITHROMINA.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW AND ROMINA

Mark Faust Sr. is a growth and turnaround consultant, syndicated writer, professional speaker and advisor to owners and CEO’s. Mark is the author of Growth or Bust! Proven Turnaround Strategies to Grow Your Business. Since 1990 Mark has run Echelon Management International, a growth and turnaround consultancy. Echelon works with both leaders of successfully growing companies who want to raise the bar as well as with companies in turnaround. Mark has worked with and interviewed many Fortune 500 CEOs and top turnaround CEOs. He has also interviewed hundreds of number one sales performers and thousands of his client’s top customers, uncovering literally over a billion in new revenue that his clients have realized. The findings from these interviews and his consulting work have contributed greatly to the Echelon growth strategy process and Mark’s wealth of material. Mark is the originator of the Turnaround MindsetTM. His client companies have included P&G, IBM, Monsanto, Apple, Syngenta, Bayer, John Deere as well as smaller closely held organizations, over 50 third-generation family owned companies, government agencies, universities and even non-profits. He has been an adjunct COO and has sat on and helped to form many company boards. Its founders Dr. Marshall Goldsmith and Dr. Frank Wagner personally certified Mark in the Stakeholder Centered CoachingTM process. Mark immediately qualified for the Professional Speaker designation in 1994 when he joined the National Speakers Association and is a Certified Strategy & Planning facilitator and Certified Professional Consultant to Management. Mark has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University where he has worked with the MBA students, entrepreneurs and the faculty. Since 1990 Mark has been speaking to professional associations, and round tables around the world on how leaders can accelerate growth and how owners can increase their company’s valuation. Topics During this interview, Mark and I discuss the following topics: His background and story Common theme which lead companies to require turnaroundsWhat does a turnaround mindset look likeHow businesses save lives.How businesses lead exponential growthHow great CEOs create and maintain great organizational cultureThe importance of self-assessment in business For the complete show notes, be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/145

Sarah Widmeyer is joined once more by Matt Del Vecchio, a Certified Professional Consultant on aging and a life-transition specialist and founder of the specialist company Lianas. Continuing their discussion on aging Canadians, Sarah and Matt emphasize the connection between health and wealth, and the importance of making key decisions earlier when you’re considering transitioning from your current home. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and readers should not assume they reflect the opinions or recommendations of Richardson GMP Limited or its affiliates. Past performance may not be repeated. Richardson GMP Limited is a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson and GMP are registered trademarks of their respective owners used under license by Richardson GMP Limited.

Sarah Widmeyer sits down with special guest Matt Del Vecchio, a Certified Professional Consultant on aging and a life-transition specialist who founded specialist company Lianas, to discuss challenges faced by adult children as their parents age. Sarah and Matt discuss some of the cognitive and physical warning signs that adult children should consider, as well as the harsh reality of caregiver stress. Listen to their tips and strategies on navigating the transition of aging parents from a family home. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and readers should not assume they reflect the opinions or recommendations of Richardson GMP Limited or its affiliates. Past performance may not be repeated. Richardson GMP Limited is a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson and GMP are registered trademarks of their respective owners used under license by Richardson GMP Limited.

On this episode I talk to Neela White about the 55+ age group (who are sometimes called the sandwich generation, seniors and/or empty nesters) and the issues they face with planning for a healthy future. Neela is an Associate Portfolio Manager, a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging and an elder planning councillor with Rennie White Asset [...]

Elliot is a leading-edge consciousness scientist and conceptual designer. His background spans the fields of Zoology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is also a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM). Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active with the World Future Society, the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) and the London-based Humanitad International. His fourth and newest book, Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World, presents his new master paradigm for personal and planetary transformation. Get the 5 proven steps to rapidly grow your business, make a bigger impact, and achieve your First Million. Attend the next LIVE First Million Webinar  with international business coach JV Crum III.  Like this Podcast? Then get every episode delivered to YOU!  Subscribe in iTunes Please help spread the word. Subscribing and leaving a review helps other business owners and entrepreneurs find our podcast…and make their big difference. They will thank you for it.   Conscious Millionaire Podcast: With over 500 episodes and 10 Million Listeners in 176 countries, this is the podcast for business owners and coaches who want to grow their businesses, make a bigger impact, and ultimately achieve their First Million! JV interviews the top entrepreneurs, experts, authors, and coaches on how to get the right mindset, develop your business systems, and execute to achieve bigger results, faster!    

Elliot is a leading-edge consciousness scientist and conceptual designer. His background spans the fields of Zoology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is also a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM). Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active with the World Future Society, the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) and the London-based Humanitad International. His fourth and newest book, Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World, presents his new master paradigm for personal and planetary transformation. Get the 5 proven steps to rapidly grow your business, make a bigger impact, and achieve your First Million. Attend the next LIVE First Million Webinar  with international business coach JV Crum III.  Like this Podcast? Then get every episode delivered to YOU!  Subscribe in iTunes Please help spread the word. Subscribing and leaving a review helps other business owners and entrepreneurs find our podcast…and make their big difference. They will thank you for it.   Conscious Millionaire Podcast: With over 500 episodes and 10 Million Listeners in 176 countries, this is the podcast for business owners and coaches who want to grow their businesses, make a bigger impact, and ultimately achieve their First Million! JV interviews the top entrepreneurs, experts, authors, and coaches on how to get the right mindset, develop your business systems, and execute to achieve bigger results, faster!    

BEHIND THE CURTAIN HOST, Kathy Barrett interviews Dr. Elliott Maynardabout his new book Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World. Future Science Technology is a unique system which supports the development of a new and superior human mind - a master paradigm containing 25 keys to personal and planetary enlightenment. Dr. Maynard's experience spans the fields of Global Ecology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned a Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and has served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) and has been active in the corporate world as Founder, President and Technology Director for several different corporations. Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active in the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG), the Humanitad International Leadership Foundation, The U. S. Psychotronics Association and the World Future Society. He also serves on the editorial board for the Kepler Institute for Space Philosophy. TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED. TUNE IN TO BE INFORMED.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN HOST, Kathy Barrett interviews Dr. Elliott Maynardabout his new book Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World. Future Science Technology is a unique system which supports the development of a new and superior human mind - a master paradigm containing 25 keys to personal and planetary enlightenment. Dr. Maynard's experience spans the fields of Global Ecology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned a Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and has served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) and has been active in the corporate world as Founder, President and Technology Director for several different corporations. Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active in the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG), the Humanitad International Leadership Foundation, The U. S. Psychotronics Association and the World Future Society. He also serves on the editorial board for the Kepler Institute for Space Philosophy. TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED. TUNE IN TO BE INFORMED.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN HOST, Kathy Barrett interviews Dr. Elliott Maynardabout his new book Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World. Future Science Technology is a unique system which supports the development of a new and superior human mind - a master paradigm containing 25 keys to personal and planetary enlightenment. Dr. Maynard's experience spans the fields of Global Ecology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned a Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and has served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) and has been active in the corporate world as Founder, President and Technology Director for several different corporations. Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active in the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG), the Humanitad International Leadership Foundation, The U. S. Psychotronics Association and the World Future Society. He also serves on the editorial board for the Kepler Institute for Space Philosophy. TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED. TUNE IN TO BE INFORMED.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN HOST, Kathy Barrett interviews Dr. Elliott Maynardabout his new book Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World. Future Science Technology is a unique system which supports the development of a new and superior human mind - a master paradigm containing 25 keys to personal and planetary enlightenment. Dr. Maynard's experience spans the fields of Global Ecology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned a Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and has served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) and has been active in the corporate world as Founder, President and Technology Director for several different corporations. Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active in the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG), the Humanitad International Leadership Foundation, The U. S. Psychotronics Association and the World Future Society. He also serves on the editorial board for the Kepler Institute for Space Philosophy. TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED. TUNE IN TO BE INFORMED.

Aired Wednesday, 22 March 2017, 3:00 PM ET Brave New Mind: Living In A Future-Science World Elliott Maynard is a leading-edge consciousness scientist and conceptual designer. His background spans the fields of Zoology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is also a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM). Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active with the World Future Society, the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) and the London-based Humanitad International. His fourth and newest book, Brave New Mind: Living in a Future-Science World, presents his new master paradigm for personal and planetary transformation. In addition to his work as a futurist, lecturer, author, educator and global ecologist; Elliott is an accomplished artist, sculptor, musician, underwater photographer and documentary film producer. He has been referred to by some of his colleagues as “The Human from the Future.” CONTACT: Website: www.arcoscielos.com Facebook Page: Elliott Maynard

What are the strategies this year that will help our business grow to the next level? How do we implement these strategies and stick to them? Why is it so difficult to make changes in our personal or business life- or is one more easier than the other? Join me with an expert panel beginning with Randy Luebke a Registered Financial Consultant, and educator in the financial services industry for more than 25 years - as well as Rulon Olsen, a Certified Professional Consultant and President of a privately held public relations firm that focuses on creating positive corporate identities. For more information about the Show and Mat and Mark, visit www.refreshyourwealth.com.

What are the strategies in 2015 that will help our business grow to the next level?  How do we implement these strategies and stick to them?  Why is it so difficult to make changes in our personal or business life- or is one more easier than the other? Join me with an expert panel beginning with Randy Luebke a Registered Financial Consultant, and educator in the financial services industry for more than 25 years...as well as Rulon Olsen, a Certified Professional Consultant and President of a privately held public relations firm that focuses on creating positive corporate identities. The show will broadcast Tuesday, January 13th, at 11am PST / 2 EST. You can call in and listen LIVE on the road at 646-200-4285.

What are the strategies this year that will help our business grow to the next level? How do we implement these strategies and stick to them? Why is it so difficult to make changes in our personal or business life- or is one more easier than the other? Join me with an expert panel beginning with Randy Luebke a Registered Financial Consultant, and educator in the financial services industry for more than 25 years - as well as Rulon Olsen, a Certified Professional Consultant and President of a privately held public relations firm that focuses on creating positive corporate identities. For more information about the Show and Mat and Mark, visit www.refreshyourwealth.com.

Brave New Mind: Living in a Future Science World with Elliot Maynard Elliott Maynard believes his new master paradigm [Future Science Technology] is the quantum-field science for the future. He is convinced that integrating traditional, linear science with non-linear consciousness technology will yield new breakthrough solutions for the global problems we face as citizens of Planet Earth. Future Science Technology is a unique system which supports the development of a new and superior human mind - a master paradigm containing 25 keys to personal and planetary enlightenment. To this end, Dr. Maynard has invented an entirely new paradigm format, which - unlike linear paradigms of the past - is flexible, evolvable and timeless. He calls his living paradigms “enlightened pathways into the future.” Although he admits that opening Pandora's Box entails accepting responsibility for dealing with the gifts inside, and that any pioneering effort will have its share of detractors and unintended consequences, he quips, “Even the turtle will not get ahead unless he sticks his neck out.” Elliott Maynard is a leading-edge consciousness scientist and conceptual designer. His background spans the fields of Zoology, Coral Reef Ecology, Oceanography and Tropical Rainforest Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Consciousness Research and served on the faculties of Adelphi University and Dowling College in New York. He is also a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM).  Dr. Maynard is Founder and President of Arcos Cielos Foundation in Sedona, Arizona and has been active with the World Future Society, the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) and the London-based Humanitad International.  For more information visit: http://www.arcoscielos.com/index.php  

NSA, Citadel Alumni, Consultant, Author To produce a solid winning team, you have to start with strong leadership & great management. This weeks topic explores Business Leadership Excellence. This is the motto of The Citadel - one of the most distinguished military institution in the country & our guest is an alumni. Peter A. Land, MS, CSP, CMC, CPCM, heads an international management, consulting/training firm, Peter A. Land Associates, Inc.. For over three decades, he has conducted leadership and management development workshops on a wide variety of topics for more than 100,000 participants on four continents. He is one of three people in the world to hold his earned professional credentials. The Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) is the highest award presented by the National Speakers Association for many years of speaking excellence. Only 10% of the speakers in the world have been so honored. Additionally, he has been awarded the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) by the Institute of Management Consultants and the Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) by the National Bureau of Certified Consultants; these credentials reflect his extensive training, experience and ethical performance. His client list includes a wide range of organizations in the United States, Russia, Europe, Australia, Canada and Mexico. He has served Fortune 500 companies; multinational corporations; local, state and federal governmental agencies; as well as hospitals, school systems, churches, military units, nonprofit organizations plus many small businesses. Pete has published numerous articles on leadership and related topics in various periodicals. All of his books on leadership are endorsed by Dr. Ken Blanchard, co-author of the "One Minute Manager". They include his first book: Managing To Get The Job Done, it received enthusiastic responses from a broad spectrum of readers — from CEO's to first-line supervisors. It was chosen by the Newbridge Executive Book Club in New York as an alternate selection; over 100,000 executives in the US and Canada have been offered this book in the past few years. His second book, How To Build A Winning Team (And Have Fun Doing It!) describes the team building process he has used successfully worldwide. Pete's third book, How to Delegate Effectively Without Losing Control, is the output of his teaching these critically important skills to more than 10,000 managers/executives in the U.S. and Europe. He holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from The Citadel, plus an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California (4.0 GPA). During twenty-four years in the Air Force, he served in a wide range of leadership and management positions. These include: Training Officer, Project Manager for Operational Test and Evaluation of Aerospace Systems, undergraduate management instructor, Air Operations Officer in combat, Base Commander, Management Consultant and Vice Commandant of the Air War College. He retired as a Colonel in 1982. As Director of Management Consultation for the United States Air Force, he was instrumental in establishing and developing the Air Force consultation organization which grew to over fifty consultants employing the latest in computer-based organizational development techniques and methodologies for Department of Defense clients world-wide. He has received extensive formal consultant training and is a certified consultant by Inscape Publishing. Additionally, he has held active leadership positions in scouting, youth sports activities, civic groups, churches and schools. ~ PeteLand.com Join Me on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/BuildingAbundantSuccess