Our 40th Annual Conference and Celebration at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler took place May 28-31, 2017. An additional day of events and programming was included to help mark our anniversary as an organization. The conference theme was “Providing 40 Years of C.A.R.E: Collaboration, Achievement, Research and Excellence” and featured a keynote address by Dr. Danielle Martin, author of Better Now: Six Big Ideas to Improve Health Care for All Canadians.
With approximately 500 delegates and exhibitors in attendance, #BCCPA2017 was our biggest event ever. For this conference look back, we have assembled many of the conference presentations and abstracts from our concurrent sessions, descriptions of our 4 plenaries, as well as links to conference program and photo albums.
Opening Keynote
Address by Dr. Danielle Martin
Dr. Danielle Martin is an acclaimed physician and health care expert who sees the cracks and challenges in our health care system every day. A family doctor and national media commentator on the health issues that hit closest to home for Canadians, Dr. Martin speaks with passion on our national health-care system, defending and defining the ways we can make it even more worthy of our immense national pride. Her debate on the merits of the Canadian vs. American health systems in a U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing in Washington, with Senator Richard Burr and Bernie Sanders, the video of her testimony went viral and has since achieved over 1.3 million views.
Read more about Dr. Martin here.
Plenaries
Plenary on Excellence. The Path Forward: Achieving Excellence and Highlighting Best Practices in End-of-Life and Residential Care
As Canada’s population ages, the number of people dying each year is projected to increase to 330,000 by 2026, with each death on average affecting the well-being of five other people, including family and friends. As the incidence of chronic disease and co-morbidities increase, the provision of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care will be even more important. The issue of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) also continues to be a sensitive, complex issue, with many care providers unclear of their role or obligations.
Building on the BCCPA paper released in 2016 on end of life, this plenary looked at ways to improve access and quality of care as well as highlight best practices at end life.Building on the expertise of the panel, best practices that were discussed included programs outlined in Dr. Danielle Martin’s book Better Now as well as initiatives such as the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Strategy to improve seniors care as well as avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.
The panelists also discussed challenges around the provision of MAiD, including how to strike the right balance between personal autonomy and the protection for vulnerable seniors.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Daniel Fontaine, CEO, BCCPA
- Dr. Danielle Martin, Vice-President Medical Affairs & Health System Solutions
- Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai &the UHN hospitals, Provincial Lead, Ontario’s Seniors Strategy
- Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch, Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing
Plenary on Research. “Research, Recruitment and Retention: Exploring the role of Post-Secondary Institutions in BC’s Continuing Care Sector”
Post-secondary institutions play a critical role in the training and education of health care providers across all sectors of the system. To better deal with issues around the recruitment and retention of health care providers for seniors care there must be a coordinated role between the continuing care sector, Ministry of Health and Health Authorities working collaboratively with colleges and universities. Not only is there a clear role for colleges and universities in educating and training appropriate numbers of such health providers but also in ensuring that such training is relevant and practical.
This panel will focus on how post-secondary research is improving the continuing care sector, and how academia can play a role in shaping the future of seniors’ care. Our panelists will highlight best and emerging practices from their areas of expertise, as well as discuss effective strategies for knowledge translation, the challenges and prospects of pilot projects, and the future promise of technology. The panel will also discuss ways in which post-secondary institutions can work with the continuing care sector to meet the needs of aging population as well as provide practical evidence-based research.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Jennifer Lyle, Executive Director, SafeCare BC
- Dr. Carole Estabrooks, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, at the University of Alberta, Principal investigator (PI) of TREC
- Dr. Kelli Stajduhar, Professor, Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health and School of Nursing, University of Victoria
- Dr. Andrew Sixsmith, Professor and Director of the Gerontology Research Centre, SFU
- Dr. Judith Lynam, Director of the Masters of Health Leadership and Policy in Seniors Care at University of BC
Plenary on Collaboration. “A Made in BC Road-Map for improving Collaboration and Quality of Seniors Care”
Following the release of the BCCPA’s 2017 paper Strengthening Seniors Care: A Made-in-BC Roadmap which included over 30 recommendations to foster innovation and improve the quality of seniors’ care, this diverse panel of health care leaders will focus on the importance of quality and collaboration in the continuing care sector.
Our panelists will discuss how care providers, government, health authorities, non-government agencies, family caregivers, and others can work together to deliver the best possible care for BC’s aging population such as increasing access to life-enhancing therapies, improving choice, providing culturally appropriate care, reducing anti-psychotics and polypharmacy, increasing resources, reducing workplace injury rates, and ensuring continuing care workers have the appropriate levels of education and training.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Ann Marie Leijen, Chair, BCCPA Quality Improvement Committee
- Michael Marchbank, CEO, Fraser Health Authority
- Gordon Daman, President, Red River Group
- Isobel Mackenzie, BC Seniors Advocate
- Rowena Rizzotti, VP, HealthTech Connex
Plenary on Achievement. “Back to the Future: Celebrating 40 Years of C.A.R.E (Collaboration, Achievement, Research and Excellence)”
The continuing care sector has changed significantly over the past four decades with the establishment of assisted living and the increased emphasis placed on home support. Throughout these changes, care providers have been at the forefront by providing excellent quality care to seniors. The advent of the information age has coincided with a rapidly changing seniors population facing increasing levels of acuity including chronic conditions and dementia.
The Association has changed as well, rebranding from “BC PriCare,” expanding our membership to include non-profit organizations and the home support sector, as well as increasing our events, advocacy and policy work to reflect the increasing importance of the seniors and the continuing care sector. This panel, comprised will highlight the achievements of the association over the past 40 years and celebrate the work of our members who care for seniors every day as well as discussing significant challenges, innovative solutions, & the importance of effective collaboration with stakeholders across the continuing care sector. The panelists will also look to the future including what might be in store for the continuing care sector and seniors care in the coming years.
- Moderator: Mike Klassen, BCCPA Vice-President Communications & Stakeholder Relations
- Daniel Fontaine, BCCPA CEO
- Karen Baillie, Menno Place CEO & President of BCCPA
- Colleen Torrison, former BCCPA President
- Al Jina, Park Place Seniors Living CEO
Closing Keynote
Address by Dr. Romayne Gallagher
Romayne Gallagher trained as a family physician, receiving her MD from the University of British Columbia and her certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Her clinical experience includes being a family physician for 12 years and a consultant in palliative care for over 17 years. Dr. Gallagher was the founding director of the Division of Palliative Care at the University of British Columbia from 1997 to 2003. She helped establish undergraduate, postgraduate and inter-professional teaching in palliative care at the University. Dr. Gallagher also established a public forum on death and dying, the first of its kind. It ran for over five years and has replicated by others in North America and Europe. Dr. Gallagher is currently the Head of the Division of Palliative Care in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Providence Health Care.
Concurrent Sessions
1A – HEABC 101
Abstract:
The Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) provides a broad range of services to member organizations.This talk will outline a number of the programs and services provided.Topics touched on will include collective bargaining, joint benefit trusts, health human resource planning and knowledge management. Time for questions from the audience will also be available.
To view the slide deck from this presentation, click here.
Speakers:
- Michael McMillan, CEO HEABC
1B – Person Centered Care through Integrating a Palliative Approach: Lessons from Initiatives around BC
Abstract:
Aging adults are entering residential care facilities with more advanced disease than in the past and their length of stay is shorter. Most health care providers in these facilities do not receive targeted education and training in palliative care, nor are they confident to have crucial conversations about goals of care and end of life challenges with residents and their families. Due to limited capacity to manage predictable symptoms related to end of life and insufficient planning, many residents are transferred to hospital in crisis and die in the Emergency Department or acute care wards.
This presentation will showcase some of the initiatives by identifying common themes, unique features of each and strategies for success. Opportunity will be given for delegates to ask questions and brainstorm how lessons learned from these initiatives could inform the care provided at their own facility.
To view the slide deck from this presentation, click here. To access the poem shared by Jane, click here.
Speakers:
- Jane Webley, RN LLB Regional lead, End of Life, Vancouver Coastal Health (EPAIRS and the Daisy project)
- Dr Christine Jones, Island Health (SSC project: Improving end of life outcomes in residential care facilities: A palliative approach to care)
- Kathleen Yue, RN, BSN, MN, CHPCN (c) Education Coordinator, BC Center for Palliative Care
1C – Enhancing Efficiency and Best Outcomes in Community Care: CBI’s Transitional & Residential Care Model in British Columbia
Abstract:
In October 2016, CBI opened its first transitional and residential care in Burnaby, BC. Led by a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, speech therapists, dieticians, behavioural interventionists and personal support workers, the facility provides specialized health care to support patients leaving hospital who are not yet able to return to their own home. This unique service also decreases hospital length-of-stay, admission and readmission to the hospital and wait times in emergency rooms. Join us and learn more about how our Transitional Care model helped patients, hospitals and funders to achieve excellent health and financial outcomes.
Speaker:
- Poonam Jassi, CBI Health Group
1D – Seniors Quality Leap Initiative: Using Data to Drive Improvements in Resident Quality of Life
Abstract
The Seniors Quality Leap Initiative (SQLI) is collaborative of 12 nursing homes across Canada and US whose vision is to become North Americas leading provider consortium for benchmarking clinical quality standards. The presentation will share the methods used (both the key success factors and challenges) to https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgister the survey to residents in long term care and how the results are being used within each SQLI organization to drive improvements.
To view this presentation, click here.
Speaker:
- Jo-Ann Tait, Program Director, Elder Care and Palliative Services, Providence Health Care
2A – Niverville in the BC Context: Looking to the Future of Continuing Care
Abstract:
This panel presentation will inspire delegates to look at the future of continuing care campuses and hubs in British Columbia by learning from the experiences of the Niverville Heritage Centre in Manitoba. As a social enterprise, the Niverville model incorporates a full range of seniors’ care housing with innovative revenue streams by offering non-traditional services, as well as offering additional medical services. Our panelists will explore the role and development of continuing care hubs by fostering community engagement, and will address a range of issues by highlighting the case of Niverville, as well as other care campuses in BC.
To view this presentation, click here.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Daniel Fontaine, CEO, BC Care Providers Association
- Gordon Daman, President, Red River Group
- Ron Pike, Executive Director, Elim Village
- Joe McQuaid, Executive Director, Alberni-Clayquot Continuing Care
2B – Moving towards Action on Ending Violence in Health Care
Abstract:
This workshop presented findings on a series of related projects conducted in partnership with Fraser and Island Health, WorkSafeBC and BC Nurses and Hospital Employees Unions. These projects seek to deal with issues around violence prevention including identifying causes and minimizing risk. Presentation provided results from key informant interviews and focus groups. The presentation also discussed current and proposed approaches to better measure both the risk of violence but actions to reduce risk of violence. The presentation also examined whether and how violence as a source of injury makes it more difficult for workers to return to work after work injury.
Presenters:
- Christopher McLeod, Co-director, Partnership for Work, Health and Safety School of Population and Public Health, UBC
- Kelvin Choi, MSc Graduate Student, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC)
2C – The Future’s So Bright: The Intersection of Technology and Aging
Abstract:
As gerontechnolgy becomes ubiquitous, an increasing number of senior living organizations in Canada and US are making person-centred technologies focusing on the needs and preference of older adults, an integral part of person centred initiatives with transformative results. Learn how a number of Canadian seniors living providers have made the connection between technology and improved quality of life and quality care. Along with best practices, this session looked at the technological transformation taking place in society at large and how it will impact aging.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Jack York, President and Co-founder, It’s Never 2 Late (Colorado)
2D – Workplace Health and Safety: Tips, Traps and Trends in Health Care
Abstract:
Interactive workshop will address key health and safety topics relevant to health care employers. This program will arm participants with a better understanding of WorkSafeBC’s new dual model investigation protocols, new enforcement options including citations and compliance agreements and employers legal obligations to respond to WorkSafe BC orders and enforcement proceedings. It will also provide overview of how WorkSafe BC and WCAT respond to claims by workers that they have been retaliated against for exercising their OH&S rights. It will also review the most recent bullying and harassment claim decisions.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- J. Najeeb Hassen, Partner Roper Greyell
- Alissa Demerse, Partner, Roper Greyell
3A – Enhancing & Improving Health Outcomes of Your Residents: A Collaborative Approach to Support Quality Care
Abstract:
This panel presentation will take a closer look at three key areas of seniors health in residential care (falls, pressure sores, and meaningful engagement in everyday activities) and how collaborating with occupational therapy can lead to reducing injury, hospitalization and associated costs in residential care. Presentation will share best practices for mobility assessment and prescription, pressure sore management and prevention. It will also share experience of a BC residential care providers and OT provider to highlight a successful collaboration in action to improve health & well-being of residents/staff.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Michelle Whitehouse, Director of Care, Zion Park Manor
- Amit Kumar, Occupational Therapist and Director
- Giovanna Boniface, National Director of Professional Affairs, CAOT
3B – Coaching Skills for Excellence in Leadership
Abstract:
Coaching skills can help people maximize their strengths and increase responsibility, accountability, creativity and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and achieve results. The primary coaching skills presented in this interactive presentation will focus on the principles of a coaching conversation, listening, the art of asking curious questions, leading cultural change, and how to promote responsibility and accountability to support people to elicit their own solutions and strategies and take action to implement these solutions.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenter: Callie Bland, Executive Coach, RN and CEO, Coach Callie Consulting
3C – Before There is a Cure, There’s Care: Building a Dementia-Friendly B.C.
Abstract:
BC continuing care sector has a role to play in building a dementia friendly society because before there is a cure, there’s care. Through this workshop participants will learn more about the Society’s vision, including how they can join the movement toward a more dementia friendly BC. They will also hear about how the Society can be a partner in the care they provide through First Link, education for health providers and other resources throughout the province.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenter: Maria Howard, CEO Alzheimer Society of BC
3D – Is Home Really Best? Private Home Care Agencies and Technology Can Make Home Better
Abstract:
This presentation is about how technology can increase family involvement in person-centred care planning in home care. The Conference will be the first time the results from this UBC Masters Research project will be presented.
In a 2017 UBC survey of home care agencies in greater Vancouver the study aimed to determine
- what are these home care agencies challenges in providing quality person centred care to their clients
- home care agencies perceived benefits and barriers in using health information technologies.
Survey findings will help both public and private care providers understand how to better collaborate in caring for aging seniors.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenter: Christina Chiu, CEO, CareCrew, MHA Candidate
4A – Leadership at the Bedside – Making the Change that Needs to Happen
Abstract:
This panel presentation looks at the role of LPNs and HCAs within the context of the continuing care system. Along with changes to the regulation of LPNs, HCA education has changed including skills to work in both acute, residential and community setting with higher complexity of residents / client. Despite this there is little support for the transition for care needs. The HCA is the unrecognized leaders that support RN/LPN teams and have taken on many roles and responsibilities. The problem that has plagued the LPN and HCA working relationship has been the absence of role clarity for both professions and enhancing value for both working together collaboratively. The presentation will look at a LPN/HCA model that could better serve the health system.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Anita Dickson, President, Licensed Practical Nurses Association of BC (LPNABC)
- Brenda Childs, Treasurer, LPNABC
4B – Promoting Exchange, Enhancing Resources: How Connecting Organizations Improves Workplace Safety
Abstract:
Improving workplace safety in continuing care often means undertaking significant culture change. Organizations often find themselves re-creating the same programs as neighbouring organizations, with similar outcomes. The PEER Resource Network was initiated by SafeCare BC to address two key issues raised by the continuing care sector:
- Managers lack the resources to support the development of a safety culture within their organizations;
- Continuing care organizations largely face the same root workplace safety issues.
In this workshop, participants will:
- Learn about PEER’s innovative model and the preliminary results of the initiative (both quantitative and qualitative data).
- Understand how PEER’s structure contributes to collaborative learning – and how this supports organizational excellence in workplace safety.
- Engage with fellow participants in PEER-like exercises to glean insight into solutions for their organization’s own safety challenges.
- Develop new connections to support the implementation of those solutions.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Jennifer Lyle, Executive Director, SafeCare BC
- Saleema Dhalla, Workplace Health and Safety Programs Director, SafeCare BC
4C – Health Care Consent, Aging and Dementia: Mapping Law and Practice in BC
Abstract:
In October 2016, the Canadian Centre for Elder Law working with ASBC started a 16 month project on the law and practice around health care consent in BC with a focus on older adults and adults with dementia. This project will address issues around health care consent with a focus on older adults and adults with dementia. Along with addressing the legal framework surrounding health care consent it will highlighted related issues such as polypharmacy, etc.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Krista James, National Director, Canadian Centre for Elder Law
- Alison Leaney, Provincial Coordinator, Vulnerable Adults Community Response, Public Guardian and Trustee
- Barbara Lindsay, Director, Advocacy and Education
4D – Evidence-Informed Guidelines for Recreation Therapy programs to Enhance the Mobility of Older Adults in Long-Term Care
Abstract:
This presentation will provide an overview of the BCCPA Mitacs-SFU project to develop a best practices guide for recreational therapy. OLTCA and ACCA are also partners in this project. Along with reviewing the results of a survey on recreational therapy in LTC that was undertaken in BC, Alberta and Ontario it will present the final RT best practices guide.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Dr. Kim van Schooten, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia
- Dr. Yijian Yang, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia
- Brenda Kinch, President, BC Therapeutic Recreation Association
5A – A Collaborative Digital Art Network for Healthy Aging
Abstract:
Presentation summarizes the efficacy of a network for collaborative art established at the Elim Campus of Care to facilitate continuum of therapeutic care to its residents. Utilizing a suite of rich and interactive media applications seniors can engage in self-directed collaborative artwork for therapeutic purposes. Through experimentation and trials the study provides evidence based evaluation of the role of digital media and the impact of virtualization in art therapy groups.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Marian Heemskerk, Director of Community Care, Elim Christian Care Society
- Tejinder Randhawa, CEO Mobile New Media
5B – Park Place Seniors Living: Our Journey to Operationalize Strength Based Leadership
Abstract:
This panel presentation is focused on the Park Place experience and our exploration with the many ways the theory of strength-based leadership can be applied within our organization. We will provide a corporate perspective and the experiences of three Park Place sites leaders in implementing a strength based leadership approach and through their individual lenses share the work they have done to support their teams at the local level.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Lynda Foley, VP Quality Assurance, Park Place Seniors Living (PPSL)
- Elaine MacDonald, Site Administrator, New Horizons Care Centre, Campbell River, PPSL
- Margot Hagerty, Site Administrator, Newport Harbour Care Centre, Calgary, PPSL
- Jody Edwards, Site Administrator, Spring Valley Care Centre, Kelowna, PPSL
5C – Using innovative new technologies to help seniors remain safely in their own homes
Abstract:
Target audience will be informal and formal caregivers who support seniors living at home in various stages of physical and cognitive decline. The presentation will look at new assistive technologies to address issues such as reduced independence and safety. The presentation with review role of CanAssist in development of new assistive technologies and examples of relevant new technologies to support seniors to remain safety in own homes.
To view this presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Robin Syme, Executive Director, CanAssistm, University of Victoria
- Paul Green, Product Manager, CanAssist, University of Victoria
5D – Improving Sustainability of BC’s Home and Community Care System
Abstract:
In the face of unprecedented growth in the seniors population, health systems across Canada are challenged to ensure sustainability while addressing consumer expectations and respecting the wishes of individuals to remain independent as long as possible. Waitlists for access to continuing care services, and the high numbers of seniors that remain in hospital while no longer requiring acute care, demonstrate potential mismatches between supply and demand. As the population of seniors continues to grow, this disparity will continue to increase, unless practices within health systems change.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information presents a recent study on the use of the continuing care system by the seniors’ population, Island Health will share its experiences supporting seniors to live independently.
To view the slides from Island Health’s presentation, click here.
Presenters:
- Steve Atkinson, Manager of Analysis and Research at CIHI’s Western office
- Phil Lawrence, Director, Community Health and Care, Island Health
