Let's Chat About Aging In Your Community

Small Acts, Lasting Impact: The Power of Volunteering

In this inspiring episode, CHATS Host and CEO Christina Bisanz sits down with long-time volunteer Wai Yeung, an 81-year-old whose remarkable 25-year journey with CHATS reflects a deep commitment to community service. From his early years serving on the Board of Directors to his current role as a dedicated transportation driver, Wai shares how volunteering has brought meaning, gratitude, and connection into his life. Recently honoured with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award, he reflects on the simple yet powerful impact of helping others, noting, “It doesn't require much time for me to drive a client for an hour, especially knowing that they really appreciate it.” Wai’s story is a testament to how giving back not only supports others, but also keeps him healthy, engaged, and fulfilled. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Prescription to Prevention: A Pharmacist’s Role in Safe Aging at Home

In this episode of CHATS: Chat About Aging in Your Community, we welcome Rose Patodia, Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator, to explore the critical role pharmacists play in helping older adults age safely at home. With experience spanning hospitals, community pharmacy, long-term care, and academia- including her leadership roles with Pear Healthcare Solutions and the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy- Rose brings decades of expertise in medication management and older adult care. Titled From Prescription to Prevention: A Pharmacist’s Role in Safe Aging at Home, this conversation dives into some of the most common and costly medication challenges facing older adults. Rose shares the most frequent medication mistakes she sees, how to distinguish side effects from normal aging, and the top drug categories that increase fall risk. She also explains when families should request a comprehensive medication review and why pharmacists are essential members of the aging-in-place care team. Packed with practical, real-world advice for older adults and caregivers alike, this episode highlights how proactive medication management can prevent harm, improve quality of life, and support safer, more independent living. Links mentioned in the episode: 5 Important Questions to Ask: https://www.ismp-canada.org/medrec/5questions.htm [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ismp-canada.org%2Fmedrec%2F5questions.htm&data=05%7C02%7CDMorrison%40chats.on.ca%7C22943885faf7461b66da08de6ff73dea%7Cd91fd004c3b64b1c80d8d0775bd6f1fa%7C0%7C0%7C639071304873013368%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Fa8Q7LV5GLtiNCCnivWSlzhSTZsdFPLoDGoWqllvyco%3D&reserved=0]  Ontario Meds Check program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/take-your-medication-safely [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ontario.ca%2Fpage%2Ftake-your-medication-safely&data=05%7C02%7CDMorrison%40chats.on.ca%7C22943885faf7461b66da08de6ff73dea%7Cd91fd004c3b64b1c80d8d0775bd6f1fa%7C0%7C0%7C639071304873073193%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pww1O2B3CADm23rT0gRtuC3x%2FDrhIJOcO2BBVZSdBJg%3D&reserved=0] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Strengthening NORCs Across Ontario

In this episode of CHATS: Chat About Aging in Your Community, CEO Christina Bisanz sits down with Dr. Howard Abrams, Director of UHN’s OpenLab and Medical Lead for the NORC Innovation Centre (NORC)- to explore how community agencies are shaping the future of aging in Ontario and across Canada. An Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and former Division Head of General Internal Medicine at UHN and Mount Sinai Hospitals, Dr. Abrams brings decades of clinical and system-level experience to a timely conversation about Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and the growing need to support older adults where they already live. Together, they unpack what sets NORCs apart from traditional seniors’ housing and why they are becoming increasingly vital within Ontario’s aging-at-home strategy. Dr. Abrams highlights the pivotal role community agencies play in identifying emerging NORCs, building trust with residents, and partnering with property managers, municipalities, Ontario Health Teams, and primary care providers. The conversation is insightful and hopeful at how local leadership and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen communities and transform the aging experience in Ontario. To learn more, visit: NORC Ambassador Program: Home | NORC NORC Innovation Centre: NORC Innovation Centre - Creating Possibilities for Aging in Place ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Scams Targeting Seniors: Warning Signs, Prevention, and Police Insight

CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz welcomes Constable Erin Brown, Senior Safety Officer and Detective Jeff (voice only) with the Financial Crimes Unit at York Regional Police, for an important and eye-opening conversation on protecting older adults and the broader community from fraud and abuse. The discussion explores common scams targeting older adults, including grandparent scams, bank scams, and other schemes designed to obtain personal information and money. Constable Brown also explains the work of the Senior Safety Unit, a specialized team made up of two senior safety officers and a social worker who support investigations involving elder abuse, domestic violence, neglect, and fraud. The episode highlights warning signs to watch for, including the misuse of power of attorney, and offers practical fraud-prevention tips. Listeners gain insight into how police assess complex situations holistically before laying charges, making this a valuable and informative episode for anyone looking to better understand and prevent elder abuse and frauds. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Aging Well Takes a Community: From Policy to People

CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz welcomes an exceptional group of leaders to the podcast: Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization; Dr. Samir Sinha, a leading geriatrician at Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences; and Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge and a nationally recognized advocate for seniors’ rights. Together, they explore a powerful and timely theme, “Aging Well Takes a Community: From Policy to People.” This wide-ranging and insightful conversation looks at what aging well truly means, the role of social prescribing, the impact of ageism, caregiver burnout, and the small, practical steps that can create meaningful change. Aging affects us all, and this episode highlights how strong systems, caring communities, and a willingness to listen can make a lasting difference. This is an informative and thought-provoking discussion you will not want to miss.    ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.