2018 PROGRAM

We are EXCITED to announce Jann Arden as the Together We Care 2018 Opening Keynote.A  renowned musician & best-selling author, Jann Arden’s most recent book, Feeding My Mother, is a piercingly honest account of the transformation that turned her into the primary “parent” to her mom, who is in the grip of Alzheimer’s. Candid and Inspiring, Jann Arden’s presentations share her personal journey, explaining the importance of adaptability, being built for change, and finding good — and even funny — things, even in the most difficult of situations.

Corporate culture, simply stated, is “the way we do things around here.” This simple idea has the power to paralyze companies, stall their ability to get where they want to be or propel them to new heights. Social Purpose can unleash the potential of organizations by energizing employees, improving loyalty and retention, enhancing personal satisfaction and establishing trust.In this presentation, Peggie Pelosi establishes the case for social purpose, shares strategies for creating the right match, and lays out what it takes to create action plans that deliver meaningful results. Peggie uses case studies to highlight strategies for success with examples from some of the most inspiring recent corporate cause partnerships.

Abstract:  This session will share a unique story of two strong, resilient women who looked up from their day to day work in senior living to trek the 893 km Bruce Trail.  The initiative Women Walking to GROW raised $126,000 leveraged 9X by Global Affairs Canada for women soybean farmers in Ghana. Surprisingly the journey outcome went far beyond fundraising.Elaine Shantz and Miriam Turnbull faced rugged terrain, rain, mud and bugs in the month of July to complete the journey.  Fifteen women in senior living joined them the last 100 km. Residents were inspired to walk the halls and front line team member’s tracked daily steps connecting through live satellite.  As the momentum grew others (women and men) joined for the “Final Leg”.   Elaine will share her story; the women who joined will speak of how barriers were removed, competition dissipated, and silos came down. The mantra that permeated the hot, summer air was “together we can do so much more”.  We can influence change – whether in a soybean field in Ghana or a senior living home in Ontario.

Today, over 34,000 seniors are on waiting lists for long-term care and many more are exploring ways in which they can better age at home or in the community. Over the next 20 years the population 75 and older is projected to grow from 7.5% of our provincial population to 14%, which will increase the need for seniors’ health care and social services on a system that is already strained. With an election around the corner, all three major political parties have presented a plan that, if elected, they believe will address some of these challenges. Come listen to how these parties intend to help reshape the seniors’ care and living landscape and better address the challenges of today to better improve the approach for the future.

Even as towns and cities across Ontario are working to become more inclusive of their citizens living with dementia, this remains a difficult concept for retirement and long-term care communities, who are increasingly segregating this population. Dr. Allen Power, a geriatrician who has been speaking and writing about integrating such communities for over a decade, will confront some of the myths regarding “memory care” and share a pathway toward creating a more inclusive community. He will address such topics as clinical outcomes, ethics, resistance from other residents and families, and unlocking doors.  A panel discussion (with operators and stakeholders) will follow.

The imminent legalization of marijuana is a development that will impact employers throughout the Province of Ontario.There will be Human Rights Code implications in relation to marijuana use which will also have to be balanced with employers’ obligations to provide their employees with a safe and healthy work environment.This presentation will review employees’ use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The use of marijuana for health treatment has already had many legal implications for employers throughout Canada. Employers have had to balance managing disabilities of employees who must use marijuana for health reasons, with the expectation that employees’ workplaces will be safe.Ontario Human Rights legislation also protects employees from discrimination on the basis of disability. As the Supreme Court of Canada has held, a disability includes an ailment or the perception of an ailment. There is also a duty on the part of employers to accommodate a disability to the point of undue hardship. The duty to accommodate a disability applies to an employee’s dependence on drugs. While there may not be a duty to accommodate recreational use of marijuana, an employer may well have an obligation to accommodate an addiction to the point of undue hardship. In addition, there is also an obligation to accommodate marijuana use when the drug is prescribed by a physician for the purposes of treating a medical condition.This presentation will address the need for accommodation, safety concerns that are associated with marijuana use in the workplace, when employers can discipline or terminate employees for marijuana use, the impact of legalizing marijuana on employers’ ability to properly and efficiently operate their business, and a review of what it is that constitutes “undue hardship” for employers in the course of accommodating employee disabilities.

Now that we have heard about the new approaches that enhance the lives of persons living with dementia, what are the downside risks?  How do we, as operators in long term care and retirement settings, embrace person-centered care and address residents’ wishes, habits and preferences.  Concerns about safety – while valid – often override personal choice.  Join this dynamic panel, moderated by Dr. Power, for an open and frank conversation with a person living with dementia, a family member and direct care staff.

Caring for our seniors is as much a calling as it is a career. Warning! Our closing speaker twitches, clucks, and uncontrollable slaps his arms! This is because Stuart Ellis–Myers lives inspirationally with the rare neurological disorder Tourette Syndrome. After 800 + laugh-while-learning performances he is best described as ‘Robin Williams with a twitch’. On stage Stuart will share how any senior care leader can turn what they believe is weakness into an unstoppable strength. From helping you to seize constant ‘hidden’ opportunities to participating in fun filled audience participation exercises to gain control over everyday challenge, fear and doubt. The message is this: If Stuart can turn Tourette Syndrome into a purpose filled life, then please accept this session as an invitation to create the foundation for your own Senior Care Leader UNSTOPPABLE life.