As part of its “40 for 40” program, BCCPA hosted six students from the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University at its 41st Annual Conference in Whistler from May 27-29, 2018.
The students, enrolled in full-time post-secondary programs, were given the opportunity to hear from high-profile speakers and experts, network with industry leaders and gain 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 seniors.
Below the students outline what they learned from the experience and their thoughts on attracting more students to the sector.
Ashleigh Parker,Ā Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology Specialization), University of Victoria
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
I still have approximately six years before I begin working either in the public or private sector as a clinical neuropsychologist. However, I will be able to integrate my learnings from the conference in my clinical training during my practicums throughout my program and have a deeper appreciation of the challenges that care providers face.
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
Prior to attending the conference, I would think about what kind of professionals would be in attendance. As I am in psychology, I assumed that practicing psychologists would also be attending. During the conference, I did not meet anyone closely related to my field, but I was surprised with all the different careers that contribute to long-term care in addition to medical professionals.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
I think presenting statistics that show a rapidly aging population will be helpful in motivating students to pursue jobs in this industry. I believe the job opportunities in this field will attract students.
Tomy Dibanda,Ā Master of Engineering Leadership in High Performance Buildings, UBC
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
Following BCCPA Board President Karen Baillieās advice, my first action after the conference was to register with the Canadian College of Health Leaders to get a professional certification, which is the most valuable and visible way to demonstrate the level of knowledge and experience I have achieved.
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
I always thought that seniors care was a closed field where only nurses and medical professionals can find opportunities. I was wrong. Huge was my surprise to realize how many engineering firms are actively looking for talent there. During the conference, I networked with Erica Brabon, Director of Energy & Sustainability at Black & McDonald, who is doing amazing work in high-performance buildings.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
During the keynote, St. Elizabeth CEO Shirlee Sharkey mentioned the senior population is growing rapidly. This information should be shared with the youth, so they can envision the possibilities in this sector. There was a lot of great innovation presented during the conference, and by showing that it is as ācoolā to work in this industry as it is in another high-tech company, you will surely attract them. Communication is the key.
Shaun Leong,Ā Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Gerontology, SFU
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
I can apply all the things I learned from the conference in my academic, professional and personal life. The Policy CafĆ© and the incredibly informative presentations have most certainly expanded my knowledge of seniors care, the issues surrounding the long-term care industry, and the future of optimizing senior lifestyles. Being able to chat with some of the influential people that currentlyĀ live each day striving to make āshift happenā has inspired me to do the same.
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
It was incredibly valuable to learn what it really means to have a person-centered approach. This ideology has reinvented how I interact and collaborate with patients and even family and friends. It has been an eye-opening realization to approach seniors from a holistic perspective to encompass all avenues of mental, physical and social health.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
The intricacies of caring for seniors are multifaceted and inherently has its challenge. But beyond this, it is extremely rewarding. To attract more students in the industry, I would argue efforts need to be in place to educate students, as well as the public, on the benefits of working with seniors and learning about the āfeel-goodā moments that can happen. Not only can this potentiallyĀ increase awareness and understanding of the industry but engage those who are undecided on a professional path to give it a chance.
Leslie Bresser, Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Gerontology, SFU
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
I plan to look more into supporting family members caregivers during the palliative care processāspecifically, adult children. That was the hardest thing I ever had to witness and caring for my father the last few years was really hard. I left my full-time job to help him and I am a single woman. Thankfully, my ex is good with the kids. I just wonder how others do this and not get depressed, sick, burnt out and broke?
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
I no longer think of residential care settings as facilities.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
I think you should be transparent about the challenges in the sector, but also highlight how rewarding and spiritual it is. Show them how happiness is found through service to others and how they can help challenge the stereotypes, reduce ageism by shifting people’s perspective. We need to educate students on how society can address necessary costs of care and not catastrophize it.
Laura Frisby,Ā Master of Health Leadership and Policy in Seniors Care, UBC
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
I better understand how Bill 16 will affect the future of assisted living. It was great to hear about it straight from the source. I work in assisted living so that is directly applicable to me.
I also enjoyed networking with the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. and will be having a meeting with two people who work there in July to follow up and hear more about what they do and discuss what skillset is needed to work there.
I have been able to brief my Master of Health Leadership and Policy in Seniors Care class on the topics covered and provided resources on the electronic pill crushers seen at Safety Den to my employer. I really believe that my program is most applicable to this conference as we have since had an https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgistratorās meeting with the class and met with some https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgistrators who were also at the conferenceāitās directly related to what we are studying. Perhaps more students from my program can attend in the future.
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
My thoughts and understanding of the work of other organizations like the Alzheimer’s Society has changed and I have a deeper understanding of the resources available for people diagnosed with dementia. I have since visited Elim Villageās campus of care and seen how its “culture” reflects the ideal culture of care that was discussed at the Policy CafĆ©.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
Educate students on what seniors are dealing with and what dementia and memory care entail. I think people are afraid of the unknownāitās not scary once you know more about it.
Erin Donald, PhD in Nursing, University of Victoria
What will do with your learnings from the conference?
My learning goal in attending the conference was to connect with https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgistrators who might have information about the increased number of persons with severe persistent mental illness who are living and dying in long-term care, according to research. No one I spoke to had this knowledge, leading me to further questions around public/non-profit vs. private sector demographics, whether this is being flagged as a trend at the clinical level and then making it far enough up the chain to the level of conference attendees. I think that for further inquiries I will need to pursue managers and https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgistrators at the clinical level and Iām interested to see what I learn.
Have you experienced a change in thought, ideology or attitude after attending the conference?
As a home care and palliative nurse, my entire career has been in publicly-https://bccare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/medcare-img22.jpgistrated, publicly-funded organizations. While I knew that funding and leadership was coming to many long-term care and assisted living facilities through private means, I hadnāt really considered what that meant from an industry perspective. Attending the āFuture of Assisted Livingā plenary was especially fascinatingāwatching how interactions between industry members and the Ministry of Health representative were similar and different from what you see between the Ministry and health authorities.
How can we attract more students to seniorsā care?
As a nursing student, I did choose to start my career in a long-term care facility, but Iāand every other studentāknew that long-term care offered the heaviest patient loads for the least money. I donāt think that has changed. Due to ageism in our society, caring for seniors is unlikely to ever have the glamour or niche feel of the ICU or maternity, but adequate staffing, competitive pay and organizational support for providing a palliative approach would go a long way towards making these work environments attractive to new grads.
