PLEASE NOTE: Our experts have agreed to answer a limited number of questions over the next few months. It may take a few days to receive an answer to your question so please be patient.
Jack Diamond
Scientific Director, Alzheimer Society of Canada
Topic: Dementia research – In search for a cure
Dr. Diamond is the Scientific Director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and national spokesperson for the Society on research matters. In his role he also leads the peer-review panel of the Alzheimer Society Research Program, travels across the country speaking at public events and providing education seminars about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Dr. Diamond is the author of Dr. Jack Diamond’s Lay Report, an authoritative account of research news and promising trends that is updated annually. His academic and research credentials include positions at McGill University, McMaster University, the University of London and University College London in England, and Harvard Medical School.
Please note that Ms. Lindsay does not provide legal advice
Barbara has been with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. since 1994. Her work with the Society involves planning, implementing and evaluating public policy and advocacy, and liaising with government agencies and regional health authorities. A lawyer whose passion is for people rather than paperwork, Barbara also assists Society staff in their work supporting people affected by dementia with their advocacy and legal planning, as well as, providing advocacy skills training to staff and volunteers.
Jennifer O’Hagan
Program Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Topic: Alzheimer risk factors and risk reduction
Jennifer is involved with developing and implementing a variety of educational programs and informational resources for people living with dementia, caregivers, professionals and the general public. She also works with families on the dementia journey to develop quarterly information bulletins, In Touch for caregivers and Insight, a bulletin written especially for people with dementia. Jennifer has a degree in Psychology and is completing her Master’s degree in Gerontology.
Jan Robson
Dementia Helpline Coordinator
Topic: Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and caregiving
Jan has been the coordinator of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Dementia Helpline for over five years. Her background is in counselling. She has watched dementia take its toll on both her grandmother and her father, and is looking forward to the day when the stigma and devastation of Alzheimer’s is a footnote in history.
Dr. Gareth Jones
Assistant Professor – School of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan
Topic: Healthy aging
Dr. Gareth Jones has been at UBC Okanagan since 2008. His research interests include understanding what dose of exercise is most effective in reducing the functional decrements associated with aging. He also explores the mechanisms associated with what makes some people frail and vulnerable to disease and disability while others remain well preserved. Dr. Jones has authored over 35 scientific publications and most recently was involved with updating both Canada and the USA’s exercise recommendations for older adults. In addition, he is a certified exercise physiologist and facilitates extra-curricular courses in personal training (CPT) and exercise physiology certification (CEP) through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. During the few hours of the day he is not working you will find him practicing what he preaches on the ski trails (winter) and running trails (summer).
Dr. Beverley Pitman
Strategic Initiatives for United Way of the Lower Mainland
Topics: Transportation and non-medical home supports
Dr. Beverley Pitman is Planner, Strategic Initiatives for United Way of the Lower Mainland where she holds the Seniors Portfolio. She has a PhD in urban and regional planning from UCLA, professional experience as a consultant and academic (she was a member of SFU’s Geography Department in the 1990s), and has held positions in both public and non-profit organizations. At United Way, Beverley’s work in the Seniors Priority Area has entailed creating 10 seniors-led community planning tables, launching CASI (Community Action for Seniors Independence), a non-medical home supports demonstration project for the frail elderly (in partnership with the province of BC), and helping to put senior-friendly transportation services on public agendas. Beverley is working on United Way’s second Seniors Forum (to be held in Burnaby on November 16), overseeing research on vulnerable seniors, and laying the groundwork for a community-based seniors’ quality of life index in the region.
Krista James
National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law
Topic: Financial elder abuse
Please note that Ms. James does not provide legal advice
Krista James is the National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law and a staff lawyer with the British Columbia Law Institute in Vancouver. She has written on various topics such as elder law, abuse and neglect of older adults, adult guardianship, mental capacity, family caregiving and human rights. A current focus of Krista’s practice is developing educational materials on issues of concern to older adults and the practitioners and volunteers who work with communities of older adults, including topics such as elder abuse, financial abuse, financial literacy, consumer rights, and substitute decision-making instruments like powers of attorney.
Shannon Berg
Vancouver Coastal Health Executive Director of Home and Community Care
Topics: Accessing public nursing homes
Shannon has worked in the health care system for over twenty-five years, first in Alberta and now in British Columbia. She has past experience as a health professional in acute care, rehabilitative care and residential care services. Shannon is a member of the Board of the National Case Management Network and the chair of a national committee that is working toward establishing competencies for case management in Canada. In addition, she is a PhD Candidate at UBC in the School of Population and Public Health. Her research is focused on finding ways to increase communication and collaboration between home health staff and family doctors working in the community.
Dr. Kelli Stajduhar
Oncology, Palliative Care, and Gerontology
Topic: Palliative and end-of-life care
Dr. Kelli Stajduhar has worked in oncology, palliative care, and gerontology for over 20 years as a nurse, educator, and researcher. She received her doctoral degree (with distinction) at the University of British Columbia in 2001. Currently Dr. Stajduhar is Associate Professor, School of Nursing and the Centre on Aging at the University of Victoria. Her clinical work and research has focused on health service needs for those at the end-of-life and their families with a particular focus on the impact to families when palliative care is provided at home and on the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Joanne Taylor
Executive Director of Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
Topic: Representation agreements
Joanne Taylor heads the Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry, a non-profit, charitable organization serving British Columbia. (Nidus is the Latin term for nest.) Joanne has been involved in community education about personal planning documents—such as Representation Agreements and Enduring Powers of Attorney—for over 18 years. Joanne is also the Registrar of the Personal Planning Registry — a service that lets you keep track of and store your personal planning information and a copy of your documents. Prior to helping establish Nidus, Joanne worked at the Alzheimer Society of BC and the People’s Law School.
Dr. Beverley Pitman
Strategic Initiatives for United Way of the Lower Mainland
Topics: Transportation and non-medical home supports
Dr. Beverley Pitman is Planner, Strategic Initiatives for United Way of the Lower Mainland where she holds the Seniors Portfolio. She has a PhD in urban and regional planning from UCLA, professional experience as a consultant and academic (she was a member of SFU’s Geography Department in the 1990s), and has held positions in both public and non-profit organizations. At United Way, Beverley’s work in the Seniors Priority Area has entailed creating 10 seniors-led community planning tables, launching CASI (Community Action for Seniors Independence), a non-medical home supports demonstration project for the frail elderly (in partnership with the province of BC), and helping to put senior-friendly transportation services on public agendas. Beverley is working on United Way’s second Seniors Forum (to be held in Burnaby on November 16), overseeing research on vulnerable seniors, and laying the groundwork for a community-based seniors’ quality of life index in the region.
