Let's Chat About Aging In Your Community

CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz welcomes an exceptional group of leaders to the podcast: Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization; Dr. Samir Sinha, a leading geriatrician at Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences; and Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge and a nationally recognized advocate for seniors’ rights. Together, they explore a powerful and timely theme, “Aging Well Takes a Community: From Policy to People.” This wide-ranging and insightful conversation looks at what aging well truly means, the role of social prescribing, the impact of ageism, caregiver burnout, and the small, practical steps that can create meaningful change. Aging affects us all, and this episode highlights how strong systems, caring communities, and a willingness to listen can make a lasting difference. This is an informative and thought-provoking discussion you will not want to miss.  

CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz recently welcomed Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) CEO Lori Holloway, whose organization serves as the provincial voice for home and community care in Ontario. Holloway emphasized the critical importance of advocacy at a time when the health-care system is under significant strain: one in five Ontarians is now over the age of 65, and 2.5 million people lack access to a primary care physician. “Advocacy is now about survival,” she noted. “We are bringing the voice to people who may not have a voice.” You won’t want to miss this enlightening episode. Learn more about OCSA at Home & Community Support Services | ON and more about what CHATS is advocating for at Invest In Home & Community Support Services”

Chats welcomes Dr.Samir Sinha

Laura Tamblyn Watts is the CEO of CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization joins the CHATS Podcast.

Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ryan Schell joins the CHATS podcast to discuss fire safety and prevention for seniors.

Sue is a trusted policy strategist, educator and advocate, within the field of healthy aging and caregiving. Sue's extensive healthcare, housing, and community care background includes policy planning and innovative change implementation.

CHATS welcomes Richmond Hill South, Majid Jowhari.

This week on the podcast, CEO Christina Bisanz speaks to Dr. Raza Mirza, Florene Shruber, Alexis Hart, and Jessica Hsieh, who are all key contributors to University of Toronto’s Aging and Health Course’s intergenerational classroom in partnership with Christie Gardens Retirement Residence. This innovative and experiential learning experience brings two generations together to study aging from different perspectives, bringing learning to a new level and redefining what makes a “classroom”. Described as a wonderful, energetic, and mind-blowing experience, this unique course is one of the few dedicated to aging at the University, offering growth opportunities for all ages. Dr. Mirza is the Director of National Partnerships at HelpAge Canada and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. Florene Shruber is an advocate and educator, formerly the principal of Montessori Teachers' College & Montessori Dementia Program. Alexis Hart holds an Honors BSc in Human Biology and Psychology and was part of the program’s first undergraduate cohort. Jessica Hsieh, a PhD candidate at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, specializes in gerontology, focusing her research on elder abuse in dementia caregiving.