Panel Session - Option 1
A Human Rights Approach: Empowering Older Adults Who Need Care & Support
Femada Shamam
CEO – The Association for the Aged (Tafta), South Africa
Revered NGERE H.N, MBA (Strategic management), BD (Bachelor of Divinity), Dip. Theology.
Dr Md Zahirul Islam
Senior Scientist & CEO- Excellence in Ageing & Care Project (EACP), A Plus Group, Bangladesh
About this session:
This panel will explore how older adults who need care and support can be empowered, through their role, value and independence in society, to contribute to their care. Older people need and should be afforded the respect, dignity and recognition as they are central to systems of care and support. The panellists will explore, using case studies from Bangladesh, South Africa and Kenya, how the financial inclusion and exclusion of older adults could affect their independence and the financial responsibility on the society. Additionally, the human rights standards which protect the older population and how they can be improved.
Panel Session - Option 2
Person-Centred Care Using Technology
Alicia Eugene
Principal Consultant – Harvest Community Sector Consulting, Australia
Sue Thomson
CEO – McLean Care, Australia
About this session:
Technology could be the needed response to some of the workforce shortages we see in health and care. It can assist older adults to live more independently in their own homes and create a virtual clinical workforce to meet medical needs, especially for those living in remote areas. Panellists will discuss how older people living in rural communities can have improved access to healthcare through technology. Research based on case studies from Australia, will highlight how older adults can adapt, modify, integrate, embrace, or exclude the technologies in their daily lives. Closing the digital divide and harnessing emerging technology to support older people to remain living independently for as long as possible in their own homes.
Panel Session - Option 3
End of Life Care and Bereavement
Dr Donald Macaskill
CEO – Scottish Care, Scotland
Mark Hazelwood
CEO – Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care, Scotland
Caroline Gibb
Community Development Lead – Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care
About this session:
“Approaching the end of life, caring for others in that situation, dying and bereavement are universally experienced and profound dimensions of aging. In this session panellists will explore what knowledge and skills can help people to prepare for and face these challenges. The session will look at the role of education for the public and family carers, taking the End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone course as an example of a practical approach to building comfort and confidence within communities. The session will also consider how the professional workforce can acquire relevant skills and knowledge, and the benefits which this can bring – both for the quality of service provided and also for their own wellbeing.”
Workshop Session - Option 1
Future-oriented building design for citizens with dementia, based on inclusion in the built environment
Jan Luursema
Management Consultant & Owner of MaPaLaNa, Netherlands
About this session:
This workshop will explore what real inclusion, for citizens with dementia, looks like in society. Real inclusion in society is a relatively new concept, it is accompanied by a changing concept of good care and life for people. How can a built environment contribute to inclusion in society? Based on two projects set in the Netherlands this workshop will explore the current knowledge and lessons to be learned for a future where such inclusion becomes a reality.
Workshop Session - Option 2
Time-cushion, combine voluntary commitment with provision for the future
Gernot Jochum-Müller
Founder – Zeitpolster, Austria
About this session:
This workshop will explore the ‘Time-cushion’ (Zeitpolster in German) model, its implementation in Australia and the practicality of adopting this model in other regions. The ‘Time-cushion’ model, develops and supports volunteer teams that provide care services in local areas. Volunteers receive time credits for the care services they provide, while the service user pays a set amount for this service. Under this model, the organisation sets aside half of this amount in an emergency account to be utilised by the volunteer for care services. Additionally, their time credits can be saved up for many years to also be utilised on certain services. This model is employed to address a group in society that cannot be reached with low pay or traditional volunteering.
Workshop Session - Option 3
Good Governance Systems that drive Healthy Ageing in Aged Care Homes
Josephine Boylan
CEO – Clayton Church Homes, Australia
About this session:
This workshop will describe an early intervention model of care that drives risk prevention and healthy ageing into practice in aged care. 5 themes will be covered.
- The normalisation of decline and frailty of older accessing care services and their right to access and receive interventions that prevent avoidable decline and promote healthy ageing.
- Care services designing and setting up their governance systems to drive early detection, early intervention and risk prevention and promotion of healthy ageing.
- ‘Making Healthy Normal’ using a workforce with a growth mindset and developing a Healthy multidisciplinary Ageing Team.
- Staff education which supports understanding and identifying frailty.
- The use of a Recovery Plan and Maintenance Plans to help keep older people active and engaged following their recovery period.
The measures for success and data collection, evidence-based assessments, and case studies
Workshop Session - Option 4
Culture Change in Memory Care: Quality Frameworks in Action
Jed Johnson
Managing Director of Aging Services – Carf International, USA
Jennifer Hartwick
Director of Business Process Development, Schlegel Villages, Canada
About this session:
This workshop will briefly outline a holistic quality framework that guides and informs all aspects of service delivery including not only program/care-related processes but also key business practices. Accessibility planning related to memory support will be showcased as just one example with a template provided to attendees for their future use. Canadian provider, Schlegel Villages will share how they have brought this framework to life. This session will actively engage attendees, kicking-off with a unique memory-care inspired interpretation of “The Happy Wanderer” and conclude by offering a brief opportunity to initiate development of their own organisational accessibility plan.
16:30 - 17:45
Panel Session - Option 4
The Impact of Poverty on Wellbeing Among Unpaid Carers
Richard Meade
Director – Carers NI and Carers Scotland, UK
Craig Harrison
Public Affairs and Media Manager- Cares NI and Carers Scotland, UK
Fiona Collie
Head of Policy and Public Affairs- Cares NI and Carers Scotland, UK
Lindsay McCurley
Carer – Carers Scotland
About this session:
Caring roles can have severe negative consequences for a person’s financial wellbeing and their physical and mental health, but too often the impacts are treated as distinct, ignoring the significant public health effects of poverty among unpaid carers. This panel will seek to bridge that evidence gap – exploring the scale and drivers of poverty among the caring population and the linkages between financial hardship and different health outcomes within this group. The discussion will draw on lived experience of caring and expertise in public policy, healthcare and more, and will bring together a diverse range of voices for this critical debate.
Panel Session - Option 5
Creating Supportive Housing and Care Environments
Heiner Schweigkofler
CEO – Fondazione Liebenua, Italy
Ahuva Even-Zohar
Social Worker and Senior Lecturer – Ariel University, Israel
About this session:
As new generations give way to different social values, gone
is the expectation that one’s family will have the opportunity and resources to
support them in their older years. However, we face a deflating workforce and
aging population with growing care needs. How can supportive housing and care
environments be constructed to address our society’s growing need for care and address
a dwindling workforce? Panellists will present a comparative analysis exploring
alternative solutions for an aging population in need of care. These solutions
provide environments which promote togetherness, mutual care and attentiveness,
without relinquishing the right to self-determination and independence. Case
studies will be based in Israel, and Italy.
Panel Session - Option 6
Enhancing Research in Adult Social Care
Emma Law
Manager – NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network Scotland & Co-chair, ENRICH Scotland, Scotland
Susan Shenkin
Reader and Honorary Consultant Geriatrician – NHS Lothian and University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Rosalie Ashworth
Patient & Public Involvement Lead – NRS, NHS, Scotland
Julienne Meyer
Professor – Emerita of Nursing: Care of Older People at City, University of London & Research and Development Advisor – National Care Forum, England
Liz Jones
Policy Director – National Care Forum, England
About this session:
The global pandemic has shone a light on care homes and the additional challenges care staff face. However, it has also undeniably shown many gaps in the evidence-base, with care home residency often excluding people from research opportunities. It is important to ensure that research and quality improvement are carried out ‘with’ and ‘for’ care homes, not ‘on’ them. Panellists will present, through case studies, how their research in care homes, sparked discussion around future directions, and increased the accessibility and awareness of research involvement. Additionally, the workshop will explore facilitators and barriers to engaging various stakeholders in supporting research studies.
Workshop Session - Option 5
Creating the Age Tech Ecosystem to better address the challenges of ageing
Ofir Ben Natan
Head of Gerontechnology – Technology for Older Adults, JDC-Eschel, Israel
Hany Rooze
Business Development Manager, JDC- Eshel, Israel
About this session:
Technology plays an increasingly significant role in creating solutions for optimal aging. This workshop will present the story of the AgeTech Ecosystem in Israel, highlighting practical tools for developing a work plan for creating an infrastructure for an AgeTech ecosystem. A system that includes cross-sectoral stakeholders from; government, public and private sectors, together with entrepreneurs, academics, researchers, and service users themselves – to help create innovative and adapted solutions for the challenges of aging.
Workshop Session - Option 6
Opus - An Innovative New Prototype for Middle Income Senior Living
Amy Schectman
CEO – 2 Life Communities, USA
Sharon Brooks
Chief Marketing Officer – 2 Life Communities, USA
About this session:
Loneliness causes significant, irreparable harm to older adults, depriving them of good health, joy and purpose; and depriving society of their wisdom and continued positive impact. Living in community is the antidote. This workshop shares a new approach to senior living that puts living in community within reach for those with moderate incomes. Presenting ‘Opus’, a private living facility with inclusivity at its heart, supported by four pillars:
- Resident volunteerism
- Locating in vibrant communities where amenities can be shared
- Bringing care to people rather than moving people to care
- Providing care navigation and smaller increments of care to reduce stress and cost
This workshop will present Opus as a potential new facility in your country.
Workshop Session - Option 7
Last Mile Connectivity for the vulnerable older people residing the slums of 3 big cities in India
Dr Benazir Patil
CEO – Society of Community Health Oriented Operational Links,
About this session:
Population aging is a global issue, especially in developing countries with people living longer. Particularly in India, where there has been both rapid aging of the population and a tradition that children who are the primary caregivers for their elderly parents are no longer residing with them. The needs and challenges for elderly people vary according to their age, socio-economic status, health, family circumstances, living arrangements and other background characteristics. This workshop presents a large-scale community-based project implemented in two slums in India. This project will provide an evidence base for policy planners and implementers in urban areas for how to plan effective community-based programs for older populations.
Workshop Session - Option 8
Self-help Active Services for Aging Model (SHASAM): Trauma Informed Model Supporting Social Determinants of Health Best Practices During and Post COVID 19
Mohini Mishra
Vice President – Senior Communties, Self-help Community Services Inc, USA
About this session:
Housing is an important social determinant of health, it can be used as a primary source when delivering culturally competent trauma informed services to a vulnerable . This workshop presents the ‘Self-help Active Services for Aging Model’ (SHASAM), a collaborative trauma informed model safeguarding cultural and health equity. The model effectively facilitates opportunities to building resilient communities and can be a critical component in supporting the emotional wellbeing of a traumatized population. By creating trauma informed programs and services by recognizing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adverse Community Experiences. SHASAM is emerging as an innovative solution to a growing affordable housing crisis and this workshop will highlight how clients can be supported by assessing and addressing social determinants of health needs through a cultural and health equity. It will highlight and share how this pandemic is reshaping the way we provide services to vulnerable population.
Panel Session - Option 7
Listening to and Empowering the People We Serve
Verna M. Cavey
Resident and Elder Advocate, USA
Alison Kernoghan
Director of Research and Knowledge Mobilization -UW Research Institute for Aging, Canada
Wenjing Zhang
Research Fellow – University of Kent, England
About this session:
Panellists will present different care models which have evolved to incorporate feedback from service users. These different models will highlight how the quality of life of older adults can be improved by focusing on a more holistic approach to quality of care that includes supporting aspects of life that bring joy, meaning and purpose. Panellists will provide coherent evidence and practice guidance for supporting older people’s moves into and between different social care settings.
Workshop Session - Option 9
The Java Project: Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation in Senior Living
Kristine Theurer
Founder and President – Java Group Programs, Canada
About this session:
Loneliness and social isolation are affecting a majority of older adults. The associated health risks are significant and include falls, premature mortality and poorer health, the progression of dementia, and disease outcomes such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease. This workshop will present the Java Project, a research-based innovative model. Using weekly peer support groups, and mentoring teams, volunteers, family and residents form a supportive team receive education and training and provide mentorship and visitation in pairs for service users. Over the past year, organizations in the United States and Canada have implemented the Java Project and results to date will be presented including successes and lessons learned. Attendees will be able to evaluate the research and this approach, experience a live peer support group and leave with a take-away strategy on how to implement peer support and mentoring within their organization.
Workshop Session - Option 10
The future of interior design for an ageing population
Jacqui Smith
Managing Director – Homesmiths, England
Jenny Rolfe
Consultant Occupational Therapist, Accora Ltd., England
About this session:
Interior design starts with function. Good design should support care, creating environments where residents can live with dignity, purpose and enjoyment and which also benefit those looking after them. This workshop will cover loss of visual acuity and how even a small deterioration in our sight can affect how we see the world and consequently our confidence. Changes in hearing will be covered as well as how ageing affects touch, taste and smell. Exploring how sustainable good design can meet various needs including many visual references citing both refurbishments of older homes as well as new builds. This links to creating dementia friendly environments.
Workshop Session - Option 11
Building for the future
Robert Adams
Owner & Chief Executive Officer, 10Next Consulting Group, LLC, USA
Meredith Boyle
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives – Mather, USA
About this session:
This workshop will highlight the new trends in senior living, advanced algorithms for data and technology designed to bring together the future of senior living. Drawing from different organisations, the importance of data and technology will be explored, especially to drive high quality lead generation in a competitive market place with the new digital senior following the COVID pandemic.
Workshop Session - Option 12
Arts and creativity in care: perspectives from Finland and Scotland
Anne Gallacher
Director – Luminate, Scotland
Raisa Karttunen
Festival Director – Koy Kaapelitalo, Finland
About this session:
Scotland and Finland are both small nations, both with large rural landscapes and ageing populations, what can we learn from each other – and share with other countries – about creativity in social care? This workshop will outline initiatives in Finland that bring together the cultural sector with health and care providers and will share some of the impacts that this joint approach is having. For example, the impact of artists spending full days in care homes delivering activities and outcomes of a creative programme for social care staff. Additionally, it will explore the learning that Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, has gained from their developmental projects across the country.
Workshop Session - Option 13
Is the Care Technologist the future of Aged Social Care?
kindly sponsored by –
Nicola Cooper
Technology and Digital Innovation Lead – Scottish Care, Scotland
Cheryl Stevenson
Care Technologist – Scottish Care, Scotland
Dan Plant
Care Technologist – Scottish Care, Scotland
About this session:
In Scotland, a new role is changing the way that care and support is assessed and delivered. Care Technologists work with people in their own homes to bring joy and greater independence, enabled by digital, data and technology (DDaT), as part of a human rights-based model of relational care and support.
The role was co-designed with current and future providers and users of social care and comes from a collaboration between Scottish Care and the Innovation School at Glasgow School of Art.
This session will bring to life the Care Technologist concept and methodology in workshop format. We will explore the impact of the role and how it can be replicated. Participants can expect to use the workshop to imagine ‘art of the possible’ scenarios for the Care Technologist role globally.
Workshop Session - Option 14
Creative spaces for a global network of social care influencers
Alyson Vale
Business & Operations Director – Abbotsford Care (Glenrothes) Ltd, Scotland
Caroline Deane
Workforce Policy & Practice Lead – Scottish Care, Scotland
About this session:
As we navigate through the challenging and changing landscape of the future, there is an advantage to acknowledging the positive impact of creative social spaces. These platforms are created to influence and share the work of the social care sector who are caring for a complex aging population. Through developing and challenging people’s perceptions of social care we have used a variety of methods to engage those both in and out with the sector, investing in ideas of social change and remodelling. This workshop will focus on how creative processes engage individual reflective thinking thus pushing us towards a grassroots collaborative movement for improvement. Additionally the importance of bridging the gap between multidisciplinary services, redistributing the balance of power into the hands of individuals providing care.
Workshop Session - Option 15
Designing Age-Inclusive Built Environments for Global Aging
Designing Age-Inclusive Built Environments for Global Aging
Emi Kiyota
Deputy Executive Director of Centre for Population Health- National University of Singapore
About this session:
As the world’s population ages, architects, urban planners, and policymakers face a pressing need to prioritize age-inclusive built environments. This workshop, centred on Singapore’s aging population, explores the pivotal roles these professionals play in preparing for global aging. Key elements, including Design for Social Cohesion, Age-Inclusive Infrastructure, Intergenerational Community Spaces, Health and Wellness-Oriented Environments, and Technology Adaptation, will be thoroughly examined. Participants will gain insights into creating inclusive, sustainable, and supportive spaces that address the challenges and opportunities of global aging. Join us to embrace this critical endeavour and shape a future that embraces all age groups with dignity and respect.
Workshop Session - Option 16
The Need for Specialist Palliative Care in Nursing Homes: The Aging Deserves to live and die well
Dr Nadine Persaud
Executive Director & Senior Director – Clients Services, Kensington Health, Canada
About this session:
The number of individuals dying in nursing homes increases each year. There is a need to ensure that specialist palliative care is integrated into the provision of care in all nursing homes. Palliative care in nursing homes should be based on needs, not just prognosis, introduced before arrival or upon admission into nursing home, and there needs to be educational competency for all nursing home staff. This workshop will provide a global perspective of palliative care in nursing homes and demonstrate the gaps in care, which impact the aging daily. Results from a pilot project conducted in a 350-bed long-term care home in Toronto, Canada will also be presented, in which a specialist model of palliative care was developed to ensure that the aging die well with a focus on decreasing hospital admissions, integrating advance care planning early on and focusing on health outcomes when palliative care is provided adequately within nursing homes.
14:30 - 15:45
Panel Session - Option 8
Active Design: how we can all achieve sustainable solutions for Ageing and Social Care
kindly sponsored by –
Dan Levitt
CEO – KinVillage & Academic Professor, Canada
Manira Ahmad
Chief Officer – Public Health Scotland
Karen Hedge
Deputy CEO – Scottish Care, Scotland
Dwight Tse
Lecturer – Department of Pscyhological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Scotland
About this session:
In redefining what it means to be old, we have an opportunity to create a sustainable future for social care across the globe. In a context of megatrends such as increased demand, changing political structures, climate change, technology, data and AI, panellists will discuss how an active approach to design can create the conditions for citizen leadership to drive this necessary change forward. Panellists will highlight what is needed to adapt our organizational and public policies, our broader social and health system, our social structure, and our infrastructure to make these longer lives enriching and fulfilling, but they will also invite you to take a closer look at the opportunities you have as organisations and as individuals to discover and drive sustainable solutions for social care.
Workshop Session - Option 17
AI – How to harness a positive future
for care.
Professor Vic Rayner OBE
CEO – National Care Forum, England
Tandeep Gill
Head of Business Development UK & I – PainChek
About this session:
There is a lot of discussion about how AI will transform lives, businesses, relationships, research and much more. However, the future of AI in the care and support of older people has not yet hit the headlines. This session will explore some of the big debates that we need to be having now in order to inform the development of thinking and application of AI that will enhance both quality and efficiency. There are key questions that we intend to explore around the reliability of AI, how it is already being used within care, what new opportunities it creates, how will regulation respond to this new development, is the care sector ready for AI and how will it impact the workforce. The discussion will be facilitated by Tandeep Gill, Head of Business Development UK & I, PainChek and Professor Vic Rayner, OBE, CEO of NCF.
Workshop Session - Option 18
Mobilizing innovation, from idea to impact: Empowering a global innovation community to transform the ageing experience.
Shusmita Rashid
Director of Knowledge Mobilization and Strategic Relations- The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) and Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Canada
This interactive workshop will share practical examples, strategies, and engagement opportunities from the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)’s experience with accelerating innovative technologies, programs, and services that support Healthy Ageing. First, we will describe Leap, a virtual social engagement community that incorporates the lived experiences of diverse groups of end-users in the design of innovations to ensure that they are more useful, accessible, and responsive to unique needs. Next, we will describe the Spark program that empowers healthcare providers to translate their insights into innovative solutions to transform seniors’ care delivery. Furthermore, we will describe the Discover + Adopt program that supports seniors’ care organizations with building the skills, capacity, and readiness to identify, introduce, implement, and sustain innovation in their own settings. For anyone interested in exploring the potential for innovation to enhance the impact of social care, this workshop is for you.
Workshop Session - Option 19
Leading with Heads and Heart
Carol Silver Elliott
President/CEO – Jewish Home Family Inc, USA
About this session:
The COVID pandemic tested all of us, putting us into situations that were unprecedented and filled with frightening questions and no answers. This workshop will explore lessons of leadership, focusing on the roles and the skills needed to develop and build for the future. Participants will engage in both discussion and interactive exercises with a focus on leaving with usable learning that they can put immediately into action. The sections of this session fall into three major categories: leading with intent; leading with commitment and leading for ourselves. As leaders, we often put ourselves last. For us to continue to be strong and effective leaders, we must also tune into self-awareness and self-care. This session will cover the tools available to help us strengthen ourselves and, in that way, strengthen our effectiveness.
Workshop Session - Option 20
Rights Made Real in Care Homes: Bringing the Learning to Life
Edel Roddy
Co-Lead – Rights Made Real, Scotland
Belinda Dewar
Project Co-Lead – Rights Made Real & Culture Development Consultant – Wee Culture, Scotland
Jill Will
Lecturer – Robert Gordon University, Scotland
About this session:
This workshop will provide an overview of the work of the Rights Made Real in Care Homes project, which took place across Scotland from Jan-Oct 2022. The project was run in partnership with the My Home Life Charity, whose aim is to support the work of My Home Life partners in promoting quality of life for those living, dying, visiting and working in care homes for older people through relationship-centred care and evidence-based practice. The overall aim of the Rights Made Real project was to provide a range of high quality ‘opportunities’ to care home residents and family members related to realising human rights. This workshop will invite participants to consider the variety of ways in which the resources shared could be used in care home settings and beyond. All the resources presented in this workshop are free to access through the My Home Life Charity website.
Workshop Session - Option 21
IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) – learning from different approaches to improving social care practice through engaging with evidence England & Scotland
kindly sponsored by –
Sarah McLaughlin
IMPACT Demonstrator Strategic Improvement Coach
Karen Watchman
IMPACT Delivery Lead – University of Stirling, Scotland
Esme Foxworthy-Bowers
IMPACT Facilitator
About this session:
IMPACT is the UK Centre for implementing evidence in adult social care. With co-production at its heart, IMPACT draws on insights from research, lived experience and practice knowledge to improve front-line services and make a positive difference to people’s lives. This workshop draws on two of those models, Facilitator and Demonstrator. Examples and experiences are provided from both, with details of two evidence informed tests of change: implementation of digital technology in care at home services for older people in Glasgow, Scotland and an assets-based approach to supporting older people in Mid and East Antrim, Northern Ireland. Additionally, this workshop will consider questions and issues for the key drivers of the work of IMPACT: ‘what evidence is required in the support of, and working alongside, older people and how do we know it is the best possible quality?’ and ‘what difference have the projects made for people who draw on care and support, carers and staff?’.
Workshop Session - Option 22
How Nature Heals
Orla Concannon
Founder and CEO – Eldergrow, USA
About this session:
With loneliness and depression in older adults on the rise due to isolation, accessible and innovative wellness therapies are needed now more than ever. Evidence-based studies suggest that nature therapy is a critical intervention for widespread wellness issues, such as depression, loneliness, and dementia. This workshop will illustrate the future of senior living wellness programs and design, and demonstrate how nature plays a key role. It will include a hands-on, interactive demonstration of simple sensory stimulation techniques that help to positively impact the quality of life and care for older adults. Attendees will be able to participate in a common therapeutic horticulture technique: sensory stimulation by scent-driven reminiscence. The presentation will also include new research on evidence-based studies and systematic reviews that support the use of nature therapies specifically in the senior living settings.
Workshop Session - Option 23
Innovative approaches to promote relationship centred dining in senior care settings
Dominique Williams
Culture Change Manager – Schlelgel UW Research Institute for Aging
About this session:
The RIA is using a non-traditional platform to deliver short, targeted educational ‘factlets’ that encourage team members to engage and share best practices and tips – meeting learners where they are. The Instagram account (@choice.ria) is part of an overall program supporting meaningful change in the mealtime experience for residents living in senior care settings. This interactive, engaging workshop will share how the RIA uses both social media and e-Learning platforms as effective and innovative ways to engage, educate, promote, connect and mobilize knowledge about improving the mealtime experience for residents in care settings. The workshop will offer an e-Learning course for dietary leaders, online community of practice and a variety of evidence-informed resources that support dietary team members to assess current mealtime practices in their home and provides a comprehensive work plan on how to apply those changes effectively with their team.
Workshop Session - Option 24
Ageing with a sense of belonging: An Israeli case study - From Welfare Ministry policy to large-scale initiative and from large-scale initiative to improvement in elderly life
Odelia Karmi
Head of Community Programs & Sense of Belonging LSA – JDC Eshel Israel
About this session:
Life expectancy in Israel is among the highest in the world and is increasing by six hours per day. Yet longevity without quality of life is self-defeating. The “compass for optimal aging” that guides the organization’s strategic plan is predicated on enhancing three indicators: health and functionality, a life full of personal and social meaning and belonging, and economic resilience. There are large scale initiatives on social inclusion, set in Israel that aim to create systemic change through policy making, data collection, training, knowledge development, marketing, and developing services. Based on these initiatives, this workshop will outline challenges, successes, and unsolved issues related to decreasing social risk and prevent social isolation of vulnerable senior citizens.