Free Registration Link CLICK HERE!
Imagine a city where the barriers between medical care and daily living steadily dissolve. This vision is not out of reach. The upcoming symposium draws together voices whose influence spans research, urban design, advocacy, and hands-on healthcare—the very people shaping the bedrock of homecare in Ontario. Dr. Plinio Morita, director of the Network for Aging Research, brings his expertise in remote patient monitoring and telehealth. His work has consistently pressed the case that technology, when carefully integrated, can empower seniors to remain in their homes longer, safely and with dignity.
Architect Robert Claiborne stands at the intersection of built environment and well-being. His credentials as an award-winning designer and his focus on inclusive urban spaces challenge us to rethink what it means to “age in place.” This focus on inclusivity is mirrored in the advocacy of Roger Koert, Chair of the City of Stratford’s Accessibility Committee. As a staunch advocate for people living with disabilities, Koert ensures the conversation remains grounded in the necessity of removing barriers—not just in our buildings, but in the very fabric of our community life. Their practical vision finds a companion in Dr. Karen Cochrane, whose research at the University of Waterloo explores how wearable technology and thoughtful interaction design can bridge gaps for those facing mental health and accessibility barriers.
Policy and clinical leadership also demand attention. Doug Morton and Neha Oberoi of the Canadian Standards Association are shepherding new standards for dementia-inclusive care and community health, recognizing that policy shapes the options available at both the kitchen table and the cabinet table. Bridging the gap between these systemic standards and front-line delivery is Dr. Kim Gilmour. A practicing family physician with the Happy Valley Family Health Team and a primary care lead with the Ontario Health Team for Huron Perth and Area, Dr. Gilmour brings a vital clinical lens to the symposium. Her expertise highlights how integrated primary care serves as the linchpin for a successful homecare model.
These efforts are further humanized by John Lord, whose lived experience as a caregiver and author underscores the day-to-day realities faced by families. Lord’s leadership has not only informed provincial dialogue but has seeded grassroots movements for meaningful change.
The symposium agenda does more than line up expert opinions. It weaves them into a call for integrated, affordable, and lifespan-oriented homecare. Attendees will grapple with questions too often left unasked by policymakers: How can primary care truly meet people where they live? What does it take to design a home not just for today, but for decades ahead? How do we push beyond rhetoric to policy that makes homecare a right, not a patchwork privilege?
This is not mere talk. The presence of municipal representatives, service groups, and residents ensures that every perspective—professional and personal—enters the conversation. As Stratford’s citizens register for this free event, they join a movement grounded in urgency and hope. The goal is clear: to make homecare the new normal, not the exception, and to build a caring economy where every neighbour has the opportunity to thrive at home.
Free Registration Link CLICK HERE!
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