What is the Java Music Club (JMC)?
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SUMMER 2012
Enhancing care for older adults through
research & training partnerships
INSIDE
Pg 2.................Agri-food for Healthy Aging (A-HA): Spearmint Tea for Osteoarthritis?, A-HA @ CNS
Pg 3 & 4.......... Research Highlights
Pg 5.................Events
Pg 6.................Profile: Dr. George Heckman
What is the Java Music Club (JMC)?
The Java Music Club is a program that builds a culture
of positive mutual support by providing participants the
opportunity to connect through meaningful discussion,
music and storytelling.
I t was developed by Kristine Theurer
as part of her graduate work in
Gerontology at Simon Fraser Univer-
which was developed by the InterRAI
team led by Dr. John Hirdes at the
University of Waterloo. The survey is
sity “to address the critical social issue completed quarterly and highlights
of depression and loneliness in care aspects of daily living and aspects of
homes and in the community”. She comfort. Across all 11 Schlegel
describes the program as having three Villages, the lowest scoring item was:
components: “People ask me for my help or advice”.
As a result, Schlegel Villages (working offer the program to the remaining
1. An enjoyable activity for
with the Ontario Association of Villages over the next few years.
residents and staff.
Residents Councils) have introduced
2. A psycho-social, non-pharmaco- Overall, the Java Music Club has been
“The Java Music Club” as a way to
logical therapy which targets getting rave reviews in terms of
address this issue.
loneliness and depression in the helping new residents, younger
care home. Initial response and the role of residents, residents with cognitive
3. The foundation for a more the RIA: impairments, and quiet residents
effective and representative engage in meaningful activity. It has
The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for been a great transformation for every-
Residents’ Council.
Aging (RIA) is currently conducting an one involved so far. Full results are
Why have the Schlegel Villages initial evaluation of this intervention by expected in May 2013 after the
invested in the JMC? implementing the program in half of program has run for one full year.
the Schlegel Villages. The primary goal
Long-term care (LTC) residents across is to evaluate whether there are For more information on the program
the Schlegel Villages, a collection of meaningful improvements in specific visit www.javamusicclub.com or for
11 retirement and LTC homes, do not areas of QoL for residents who information about the evaluation
feel they are asked for their help or process email Kaylen Pfisterer,
participate in the program. If the Java
advice. This was identified through the Assistant Research Coordinator at
Music Club does help facilitate
Quality of Life (QoL) surveys, used by the RIA (kpfister@uwaterloo.ca).
meaningful discussion and
the Schlegel Villages for LTC residents, relationships, efforts will be made to
AGRI-FOOD FOR HEALTHY AGING
The Agri-food for Healthy Aging (A-HA) initiative is a collaborative research group created through the efforts
of the RIA, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, and MaRS Landing. By exploring linkages between
agriculture, food, nutrition and human health, A-HA aims to realize innovative opportunities for Ontario’s agri-
food and health sectors to improve the health and well-being of older adults.
Spearmint tea for osteoarthritis? A-HA @ CNS
T his Spring, Agri-food for
Healthy Aging (A-HA)
participated on behalf of the RIA
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions of Canadians, and the likelihood of developing as an exhibitor at the Canadian
OA increases with age. The condition is characterized by joint inflammation, Nutrition Society Annual
commonly affects the knee, and results in pain, swelling and stiffness. In order to Conference held in Vancouver, BC.
help manage the symptoms of OA, University of Guelph Professors from the
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS), Amanda Wright This event shares cutting-edge
and Alison Duncan are working with a research team to examine spearmint tea. developments in nutrition, cover-
ing a wide variety of topics, and
also provides an excellent
The tea being examined is not your networking opportunity for
average spearmint variety from the researchers and food industry
grocery store. It is made from a high professionals from across Canada
rosmarinic acid spearmint plant and abroad.
developed at the University of Guelph
by Professor Laima Kott from the Two research projects being led
Department of Plant Agriculture. by RIA/A-HA researchers were
Rosmarinic acid is known for its anti- discussed at the conference. Dr.
inflammatory properties and therefore Heather Keller’s work with the
may reduce the inflammation and pain Canadian Malnutrition Task Force
associated with OA. was highlighted, sharing the
latest statistics on malnutrition
The research team, which includes If the pain and symptoms of OA are
prevalence in hospitals (nearly
HHNS Ph.D. student Erin Connelly, is reduced, then the high rosmarinic acid
spearmint tea could be used as a com- 42%). In addition, Dr. Alison
implementing a human clinical trial at
plimentary therapy to minimize the use Duncan’s research looking at
Guelph’s Human Nutraceutical Re-
of prescription medications. Long-term older adults’ understanding of
search Unit (www.uoguelph.ca/hnru) to
use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory functional foods was also shared
determine if the innovative spearmint
drugs or NSAIDS, commonly used to at the event, and garnered lots of
plant can reduce symptoms of knee
treat OA, can be associated with interest. Most older adults
OA. Participants are consuming spear-
unwanted side effects. interviewed are consuming
mint tea twice daily for 4 months and
functional foods regularly.
the research team is tracking physical
Stay tuned to the Agri-food for Healthy
functioning, pain ratings, inflammation The RIA/A-HA exhibit featured
Aging website (www.aha.the-ria.ca) for
markers, and cartilage damage. our latest newsletters, RIA 5 Year
study results.
Report, and information about
the newly developed RIA/A-HA
Upcoming Event: resource “Tips for Better Pureed
Foods”. Overall, the event was a
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS’ DAY - NOVEMBER 7, 2012 success and provided great
A-HA will once again be co-hosting Health Professionals’ Day at the exposure. We were able to spread
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON. The event provides the the word about the RIA/A-HA
latest information on “food for health” and is always well attended. research taking place.
Stay tuned to the A-HA website for registration details: www.aha.the-
ria.ca.
2
Measuring Quality of Life in Long Term Care
L
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS ong-term care homes strive
to provide good quality of
life for all residents. Research-
Schlegel Villages were
completed.
The research team indicates
ers agree that quality of life is that the single best
more than health care and differentiator for quality of life
safety. It also includes is whether the resident would
autonomy, respect, dignity and recommend the
meaningful activities. organization to others, and 88%
While there is remarkable of residents in this study
consensus on the concept, find- reported that they would
ing valid, reliable and practical recommend a Schlegel Village
assessment tools has proven to others. Further analysis
challenging. To this end, the suggests that the Schlegel
InterRAI team led by Dr. John Villages are doing well on meet-
Hirdes at the University of ing physical needs and deliver-
Waterloo has developed a ing services (i.e. items on the move away from an institutional
30-item survey where trained “Comfort” subscale). However, model of care towards a more
surveyors ask residents for their they could be doing more to social model of living. One of
own assessment of quality of create social and living the first steps in this journey
life. environments that provide has been to implement the Java
choice, meaning and strong Music Club (see front page for
The RIA assessed the
relationships (i.e. items on the additional details) to provide
practicality and usefulness of
“Aspects of Daily Life” subscale). residents with increased
this tool to guide programming
In response, the organization opportunities for meaningful
decisions. In the first 6 months
has embarked on an and empowering engagement
of implementation, 541 surveys
organization-wide journey to on a regular basis.
from residents living in the
Activity & Health through the Transition from
Community to Retirement Living
Physical activity and social activity are associated health in some people, by offering increased
with physical and mental health in older adults. opportunities for older adults to engage in
However, these factors are often compromised meaningful physical and social activities.
among older adults living in the community due to Some older adults report increased physical
a variety of social (e.g. isolation) and health (e.g. and social activity levels after the transition
fear of falling) factors. As a result, older adults to retirement living, but there is no empirical
living in the community may experience decreases evidence available to describe the change in
in physical, cognitive and mental health that may activity or health over this transition.
result in loss of independence, hospitalization or
Dr. Middleton will begin her research
admission to long-term care. However, many older
program by examining whether changes in
adults choose to move to retirement
levels of physical and social activity are
communities which typically offer an array of
associated with changes in physical and/or
programs and services that are designed to meet
mental health after transitioning to
the physical and social needs of older adults.
retirement living. Subsequent studies will
Dr. Laura Middleton (Department of Kinesiology, use the results from this initial work to
University of Waterloo) believes that the inform older adults’ residential choices and
transition from community living to retirement will provide information to optimize care and
living can improve social, cognitive and physical services offered in retirement living.
3Muscle Weakness and Risk of Falls
F alling is an alarming problem in
older adult populations, which
can often lead to serious physical
Dr. Lori Ann Vallis (Department
of Human Health and Nutritional
Sciences, University of Guelph)
injuries, emotional turmoil and and her students have embarked
social isolation. The increased on a research project to create an
number of falls associated with assessment protocol that will aid
aging has been related to many clinicians (Kinesiologists,
risk factors including unsteady gait Physiotherapists and so on) in
or balance, and reduced identifying the contribution of
age-related muscle mass (termed sarcopenia to falls risk in reliable way of assessing muscle
sarcopenia) among others. combination with other age- weakness in older adults. They
Previous research has resulted related declines in overall health. hope that increased awareness
in the development of methods The research team has developed of the presence of sarcopenia will
to detect muscle weakness, but a series of clinical, biomechani- encourage appropriate,
there is no single clear protocol cal tests that are easy to perform, personalized intervention
that can be followed and adminis- possible to complete in strategies that will reduce the risk
tered by an untrained individual in congregate care, and simple to of falls in this population.
a non-invasive manner. administer by clinicians as a
Student Profile: Emily McIntosh
MSc Candidate, University of Guelph
E mily is from
Martintown ON and
is a Master’s student in
predictability of sarcopenia with the ultimate
goal of providing clinicians with a screening
tool. She believes that with such a tool, early
the Gait Laboratory at intervention can allow for the attenuation or
the University of Guelph. reversal of age-related muscle loss and allow
Under the supervision for a better quality of life.
of Dr. Lori Ann Vallis,
she has been involved in The first study is currently published in Gait
projects facilitating detec- and Posture, and she has presented the
tion of sarcopenia in both second project this year at the Falls and
community-dwelling and Mobility Network meeting at Sunnybrook,
assisted-living older adults and the Canadian Society of Biomechanics
over the last three years. meeting in Burnaby. For her thesis she will be
investigating medial-lateral instability during
Emily began in the lab as an Undergraduate Research reactions to obstacles during gait. She hopes
Assistant then moved on as an Ontario Neurotrauma this will provide some insight into why so
Foundation Summer Intern, and most recently became a many older adults break their hip when
Master’s student. Her projects have used gait, posture, falling.
clinical, and strength tests to examine relationships and
4EVENTS
Event recap: Going Local - Bringing the benefits of
Ontario agri-foods to long-term care
O n May 3, 2012, RIA & A-HA hosted a dissemination
event to identify linkages between Ontario agricul-
ture, food and health as they relate to texture-modified
don’t know a lot about farming even though it is one of
the top industries in Ontario. “Factory farms” have been
gaining media attention and although farm size is increas-
diets for older adults. Here are the highlights: ing, 98% of Canadian farms are family owned. To learn
more, please visit Farm & Food Care’s website (www.
• Dr. Heather Keller, newly appointed Schlegel Research
farmfoodcare.org).
Chair in Nutrition & Aging, shed some light on the
nutritional needs of older adults and that current Dietary • Jane Dummer, RD, shared lessons learned from one of
Reference Intakes may not be meeting the requirements her recent roles as Project Coordinator for the Local Foods
of this population. Research is needed to establish what to Health Care Facilities Project in Norfolk County. She
nutrient levels are needed to promote optimal health in stressed that while there are challenges to increasing local
older adults. Dr. Keller also discussed the challenges foods served in long-term care, it is possible, and having
facing food service staff when planning menus in engaged staff is key. There are opportunities to work with
retirement and long-term care as the amount of food distributors who are dedicated to sourcing local and
older adults consume typically decreases, but nutrient connections can be made with growers who have food
requirements are often increased. safety practices in place. As a fun way to bring awareness
to the issue and engage staff, Jane ran a recipe challenge
• Dr. Lisa Duizer and Masters student Nila Ilhamto in a long-term care home in Norfolk County. Watch the
discussed the results of an RIA/A-HA project. They fun: www.youtube.com/norfolkcounty.
gathered information from nutrition managers and cooks
about texture modified foods in long-term care and found • Megan Hunter, Communications Manager, Friends of
that in-house preparation was often preferred for multiple the Greenbelt Foundation, gave an overview of a new
reasons, cost being one example. The research duo then initiative to source local foods online: www.Ontariofresh.
developed recipes for preparing pureed carrot and turkey ca. The site has a business to business focus and aims to
that are feasible to make in-house, are made from local facilitate bulk sales of locally produced Ontario food by
products, and address the sensory and nutritional needs connecting buyers and sellers. Users can create profiles
of older adults. Interestingly, they found that in-house and post what they need or what they’re offering in the
pureed turkey contained more protein than commercial “marketplace” function. With similarities to other social
varieties and that flavour and nutritional quality could be networking sites, it is easy to use and truly an innovative
enhanced with different types of thickeners. A summary way to Go Local.
of the research findings and the recipes are available on- Presentation slides can be found on the A-HA website
line in “Tips for Better Pureed Foods”, details can be found (www.aha.the-ria.ca). Thanks to everyone who attended
on the A-HA website. and the wonderful speakers for making the event a
• Heather Hargrave, Project Coordinator for Farm & Food success!
Care, segued the morning from research to practice, Investment in this project has been provided by Agriculture and
providing an update on life on the farm and debunking Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation
many agricultural myths. She noted that many people Program. In Ontario, this program is delivered by the
Agricultural Adaptation Council.
Save the Date: 2012 Spirituality & Aging lecture
Drs. Susan and John McFadden are the keynote speakers at the upcoming annual public lecture hosted by the
RIA’s Spirituality and Aging Program. They will speak to the topic of Spirituality, Friendship and Community
in Late Life on Friday, November 16, 2012 at Conrad Grebel University College on the University of Waterloo
campus.
Susan’s primary area of research is spirituality and gerontology and she is a widely published professor at the
University of Wisconsin (www.uwosh.edu/psychology/mcfadden.htm). Her husband John has been a minister
for over 30 years and is currently a chaplain working primarily with persons with advanced dementia. Together
they have authored a recent book, Aging Together: Dementia, Friendship and Flourishing Communities.
Registration details will be available shortly on the RIA’s website (www.the-ria.ca).
5 3Dr. George Heckman test approach is
“RIA’s
obviously quite unique in
Dr. George Heckman, a physician specializing in aging and the fact that their
cardiovascular disease, was appointed in 2010 as the Schlegel
Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Heckman comes to
research is approached
the RIA after serving as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at through various channels
McMaster University. He holds specialist credentials from the - it is not purely academic,
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Internal but it initiates and
Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. involves actual seniors
who provide current and
Dr. Heckman’s research interests include the management of heart disease among ongoing information as
older adults, including complications such as dementia. Thanks to contributions from they age - often with
the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and Grand River
Hospital, George will also be working with local providers and planners to enhance
reference to previous
geriatric medicine in the region. living experiences. This
approach affects today’s
Dr. Heckman believes that frailty and chronic diseases can be proactively managed,
seniors in a very positive
with the goal of keeping seniors as functional as possible wherever they live,
decreasing the need for hospitalization, and ultimately reducing pressures on long- way as they realize that
term care. His work with the LHIN involves collecting an inventory of services and although their lives may
identifying barriers to seniors’ care. He will then collaborate with community be shortening, their
partners to redevelop and improve services based on evidence, measure the participation in the
outcomes, and adjust initiatives when necessary. ongoing research may be
“Many seniors end up in alternate levels of care because of preventable problems of value to future aging
such as falls, fractures and complications associated with heart disease,” explains men and women.”
Heckman, “The solution is to prevent it from happening in the first place.”
To stay informed about Dr. Heckman’s research activities, visit the RIA wesbite - Therese Schuett,
(www.the-ria.ca). Resident at the Village of
Winston Park
The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging aims to enhance care and living for older adults through the development
and implementation of innovative research and training programs. Eleven Schlegel Villages provide “living research
environments” in which innovations are tested and “living classrooms” in which innovative practice development models
are developed. Seniors in other congregate settings and those living independently in the community are also welcome
to participate. Results are widely disseminated to benefit seniors and caregivers everywhere.
Contact us to discuss research opportunities.
Follow us on Twitter:
@SchlegelUW_RIA Contact us...
Like us on Facebook: For general inquiries please contact Susan Brown.
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Mike Sharratt, PhD Josie d’Avernas, MSc Susan Brown, MSc
President Vice President Research Coordinator
Check us out online: sharratt@uwaterloo.ca davernas@uwaterloo.ca sgbrown@uwaterloo.ca
www.the-ria.ca
Kate Wilson Kaylen Pfisterer, BSc Hilary Dunn, MSc
Write us: Administrative Assistant Assistant Research Acting Program Manager,
325 Max Becker Drive, Suite 202, kate@uwaterloo.ca Coordinator Agri-food for Healthy Aging
Kitchener, ON, N2E 4H5 kpfister@uwaterloo.ca hadunn@uwaterloo.caYou can also read
