At the base of Blackcomb Mountain through a stretch of sunny days, BC Care Providers Association hosted another successful annual conference.
With 500 attendees and 82 tradeshow exhibitors, the 2018 Annual Conference in Whistler was the largest BCCPA conference to date.
“Another year of inspiring presentations, productive networking and entertaining events is behind us. The 2018 Annual Conference was an amazing success, and has raised the bar for next year’s event,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine.
“Thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, delegates and exhibitors for their contribution to a very successful program,” he adds.
The 41st Annual Conference has already received a tremendous response from delegates and exhibitors alike.
“I loved the conference. It offered a wonderful blend of work and play, collaboration and learning,” says Lenore Pickering, CEO of Hawthorne Seniors Care Community. “The vendors outdid themselves. All in all, a perfectly planned and executed event.”
Thank you for having us! Such a great day to hear so many different innovative ideas! @BCCareProviders #ShiftHappens2018 pic.twitter.com/GNV76CvxC5
— Villa Cathay Care Home (@VillaCathayCH) May 29, 2018
Thanks @BCCareProviders for providing students with this opportunity and special shout out to @UVicNursing PhD student @ErinEDonald who will have gained lots from the experience. Wish I could have joined you this year! https://t.co/43oDQrkyJs
— Kelli Stajduhar (@KStajduhar) May 30, 2018
Shift Happens! highlighted a global shift in the model of care from acute to home and community. Through topic-focused break-out sessions and networking with colleagues and industry leaders, attendees gained insight into best practices and new models of care and technology in the sector. They explored how a culture of innovation and person-centered care can improve quality of services, access to services, and health outcomes for residents/clients.
The Program
Several important policy topics such as new funding approaches, care models, technology, and health human resources were discussed at our pre-conference Policy Café, which concluded with a Harvest of Ideas session.
Monday’s program kicked off with a keynote from Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of Saint Elizabeth, who outlined how staff at her organization have contributed to the development of next-gen products and services for smart family caregiving, and shared innovative approaches, including the Journey Home project that provides dignified end of life care for urban homeless people.
The opening plenary titled Finding the True Meaning of Person-Centered Care focused on how to best integrate personal preferences into the choices care providers make every day. The panel included Jim Mann, former Board Member of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and passionate advocate for people living with Alzheimer’s; Jo-Ann Tait, Program Director, Elder Care and Palliative Services at Providence Health Care; Dr. Granger Avery, Executive Director of the Rural Coordinator Centre of BC; and Dr. Tamara Daly, CIHR Research Chair in Gender, Work & Health and Director, York University Centre for Aging Research and Education.
Our concurrent sessions covered important issues such as terminology in seniors’ care, B.C.’s assisted living landscape, a palliative approach in residential care, influenza in seniors, worker safety, and many more.
Just watched @JoAnnTait1 present on why words matter! Great messages for us to think about! #ShiftHappens2018 @BCCareProviders @Providence_Hlth pic.twitter.com/NTccXLsz4q
— Sonia Hardern (@ssiztohardern) May 29, 2018
#BCCPA2018 provides an excellent space for researchers, leaders, physicians/clinicians and people to dialogue together. Honoured to have been part of the dialogue. https://t.co/Kqb1JUOUMz
— Jo-Ann Tait (@JoAnnTait1) May 29, 2018
The conference closed with a humorous and thought-provoking keynote by motivational speaker and comedian Jody Urquhart which touched upon different leadership styles, letting go of emotional baggage and inhibitions, and the importance of “play” in your personal and professional life.
BCCPA would like to congratulate those who won prizes throughout our events.
Golf Prize Winners
Women’s Longest Drive: Karen Wasden, Administrator, Baptist Housing
Men’s Longest Drive: Marc Thompson, Region Manager – Canada, Span Medical Products Canada, Inc.
Women’s Closest to the Pin: Karen Hurley, Manager of Health Care Systems, Sysco
Men’s Closest to the Pin: Dick Harris
Winning Team: Charles Reid, General Manager, Haddon; Dale Calhoun; Allan Turner, Regional Director of Operations, Western Canada, Marquise Hospitality (Compass Group Canada); Ron Pike, Executive Director, Elim Village
Survivor Care-ibbean Scavenger Hunt Winners
Monday’s Care-ibbean theme night had ten finalists from the Click app game compete for
Grand Prize ($5,000 travel voucher): Tanya Snow, Executive Director, Augustine House
2nd Prize (Two-night stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler valued at $1,179): Lisa Samms-Maxwell, Director of Care, Langley Care Society
3rd Prize (Free registration for 2019 Annual Conference valued at up to $1,500): Judy Peterson, Community Enrichment Manager, Sidney All Care Residence
Congrats to Sobeys Pharmacy for winning Best Booth at the conference tradeshow!
Safety Den Winners
Six contestants pitched their innovative ideas to reduce workplace injuries and improve the lives of those in care at the third-annual Safety Den. In this Dragon’s Den-style competition, panel of four Safety Dragons judged the ideas based on criteria such as creativity, practicality, feasibility and a “wow” factor. Congrats to the the following winners:
1st Prize: Revera
2nd Prize: Villa Cathay Care Home
3rd Prize: Chilliwack Society for Community Living
Congrats to Handicare for winning the Safety Innvovation of the Year Award for the EvaDrive!
Hawaiian themed #Karie here at #BCCPA2018! Thank you for having us @BCCareProviders, we are happy to be here and part of the conversation on #ContinuingCare. #ShiftHappens pic.twitter.com/dxnJM6gFju
— Karie, Powered by AceAge (@AceAgeKarie) May 29, 2018
Photos from #BCCPA2018 are now available on our Flickr channel. Visit the album list to view photos from the golf tournament, Plenary 1, opening keynote, Survivor Care-ibbean, Policy Cafe and more!
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to continue to grow the annual conference and offerings in the coming years. We thank you for your participation at the 2018 Annual Conference and look forward to seeing you in 2019!
Presentations from the concurrent sessions will be available soon on our conference page.
For feedback or questions about conference materials, please contact Digital Media & Communications Coordinator Rumana D’Souza at rumana@bccare.ca.
