Third Age Living

Join Jane Kuepfer, PhD, MDiv, RP, to learn how spirituality can support health and well-being in later life. Kuepfer has extensive experience as a spiritual caregiver, and her research explores older adults’ spiritual resources, including and also beyond traditional faith-based practices. Her research has shown how spirituality, in its many forms, can improve resilience. Kuepfer will share the importance of and how to tap into spiritual resources as we navigate challenges in later life.

Join Lora Giangregorio, PhD, to learn about the importance of exercise for healthy aging and simple ways to add movement to your day. As we get older, we lose muscle and bone, we often become less active, and some people develop a bone disease called osteoporosis. While this can increase the risk of falls and fractures, exercise can help. Giangregorio is studying the most effective ways for older adults to exercise safely and optimize their health.

Join Kate Dupuis, Ph.D., C.Psych., to learn about creative expression and its importance for health and well-being as we age. Dupuis is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher exploring the many benefits of the arts, including how bringing generations together to connect creatively can benefit all involved. Her research aims to explore what it means to be “artistic” and identify barriers to participation in the arts so we can find ways to engage older adults in arts-based activities. You’ll leave feeling inspired to create and understand the many benefits of participating in the arts.

Join Carrie McAiney, PhD, to learn how research is changing what we know about dementia in Canada. McAiney will share her work co-leading a project at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging that is enhancing the national dementia data system to improve our understanding of dementia and its progression. McAiney will also share her work that is challenging stigma and exploring how individuals and care partners can live well with dementia.

Join Richard Hughson, PhD, from the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) to learn how space travel mimics the aging process and what we can learn about cardiovascular health and healthy aging from astronauts. Hughson and his team are studying astronauts aboard the International Space Station, using equipment in space that is operated from the RIA building. What they’re learning about “aging in space” can be used to develop strategies to improve health for older adults here on earth.

As nutrition month comes to an end, kick off the first in a series of lectures from the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) learning about nutrition, mealtimes and healthy aging. Heather Keller, PhD, RD, will share what nutrients are most important for older adults and how to make sure you’re getting them in your day-to-day diet. She will also share her research on the importance of the mealtime experience for nutrition and well-being, including results from the largest Canadian study exploring mealtimes in long-term care.