Tragic death toll among seniors in nursing homes was half a century in the making, says elder care expert.

By MICHAEL BROWN

Canadians are witnessing a tragedy unfold in the nation’s long-term care system that’s been a half-century in the making, according to a University of Alberta elder care expert.

Carole Estabrooks said blame for the mounting COVID-19 seniors’ home death toll should not be placed on front-line workers otherwise known as care aides or personal support workers.

“We’ve been…

From CBC Website:

April 16, Part 1: COVID-19 and staff concerns at elder care facilities; Threats to WHO funding; Gender equality in the pandemic

The Current

We talk to staff and management of long-term care facilities; hearing their concerns and distress about the rising COVID-19 death toll in the facilities.

Then, warnings of deadly consequences followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to the World Health Organization — but some argue the organization has serious…

Improved work environments could improve quality of care and quality of life for residents and staff

(Edmonton) – About 80 per cent of nursing home residents in Canada live with some level of cognitive impairment, which means the care needs of this population are increasingly complex.  Missed or rushed care is an on-going concern.

Researchers from Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC) based at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing, interviewed over 4000 care aides from 93 urban…

By Laura D. Aloisio and Carole A. Estabrooks
Published originally: Wed., November 27, 2019 in The Winnipeg Free Press

More than 220,000 Canadians currently reside in a nursing home or long-term care facility, with the number projected to increase steadily as the Canadian population ages. This may include our parents, other relatives or friends, and it could include us too.

Unfortunately, staffing shortages have become a perpetual concern for long-term care facilities across the country.…

Public Lecture

Dr. Kate de Medeiros

What counts as “quality of life” in dementia care?

Date: October 10, 2019

Time: 12PM

Location: Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) - Room 1-182

Dr Kate de Medeiros, PhD
Gerontologist
Associate Professor
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Bio: Kate de Medeiros (Associate Professor, the Robert H. and Nancy J. Blayney Professor Gerontology), received her PhD in gerontology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2006. Her research interests are concerned…

Public Lecture

Dr Sube Banerjee

Dementia: Meeting & beating a great 21st century health & social care challenge

Date: October 8, 2019

Time: 4PM

Location: Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) - Room 1-182

Dr Sube Banerjee, MBE, MBBS MSC MBA MD FRCPsych
Geriatric Psychiatrist
Professor & Dean
University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

Bio: Dr Banerjee is active in health system development and works with industry and governments on health systems, policy and strategies to improve health for…

Estabrooks’ $329K John R. Evans Leaders Fund Grant mitigates Canada's looming long-term care population explosion through accessible data sharing

August 13, 2019

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) Fund helps UAlberta researchers conduct leading-edge research by giving them the tools and equipment they need to become leaders in their field.

Canada’s long-term care (LTC) system, already overextended, faces unprecedented growth in the coming decades. With…

By Matthias Hoben and Carole Estabrooks
Published: Sun., July 14, 2019

Nursing homes fill a vital role for older adults unable to remain at home or in other supportive environments.

Nursing home care is costly to governments. In 2017, Canadian governments spent close to $19 billion on care provided in nursing homes and supportive living facilities. Individuals are also expected to contribute to their stay and spent more than $8 million in 2017.

What can we learn from provinces with differing policy…

Dr. Carole Estabrooks is driven to improve the lives and care of older adults living in residential nursing homes, and her research is setting the Canadian standard on care for seniors. With the renewal of her Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation, she and her team will continue this vital work

The Canadian population is aging at a dramatic rate, and research into aging, seniors' care, and age-related health conditions is increasingly urgent. Older adults with Alzheimer's disease…