UVic Research on Aging

University of Victoria researchers today received more than $330,000 for a project examining how older adults transition through various phases of the long-term care system.

Drs. Margaret Penning (Sociology) and Denise Cloutier (Geography) of UVic’s Centre on Aging will lead the research team on the project, to be conducted on the mainland within the Fraser Health Authority, with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($233,259) and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research ($99,967).

Penning, a professor in UVic’s Department of Sociology, is interested in the sociology of aging, health and health care, and in examining self, informal and formal care in relation to issues of chronic illness and disability in middle and later life, the impact of structural inequalities on health and health care, and health care restructuring and reform in the Canadian context. She also serves as editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal on Aging.

Cloutier is a social gerontologist and health/social geographer.  She is an associate professor in UVic’s Department of Geography and the Centre on Aging. Broadly speaking, her research focuses on the care continuum for older adults ranging from formal health and social services to voluntary, and informal sector care. Her work explores the social determinants of health and the impacts of health sector restructuring on vulnerable older adults (e.g., rural older adults, socially isolated individuals, palliative clients, and stroke survivors).

UVic’s Centre on Aging promotes and conducts basic and applied research throughout the lifespan in partnership with seniors, their families, organizations, healthcare providers, and the government. It is a multi-disciplinary research centre partnering with families, health-care providers, government and organizations like the World Health Organization to understand and address the needs of seniors. Studies include needs assessments and social surveys, experimental research, program evaluations, development of clinical diagnostic tools, and social policy research.

August 2012 Update

Here is an informal update on items connecting UVic to the community this month. Check out the full UVic web site for more information.

• Carmen Charette was appointed vice-president external relations at the University of Victoria and began her role on August 1. Here is the link to her biography and the portfolio of External Relations http://external.uvic.ca/vicepresident.php.   

  

• The 2012 Olympics have wrapped up in London, with local athletes including several with UVic connections having marked some very memorable medal moments.  For more connections to UVic Vikes at the Olympics see http://www.govikesgo.com/

•  UVic has issued a Request For Proposals to select a strategic partner to assess the possibility of providing a biomass thermal energy plant. See http://web.uvic.ca/purc/suppliers/?p=3350

• UVic also issued a Request For Proposals, which closed on August 13th, seeking the services of a consultant team to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering consulting services related to the planning, design and implementation of a UVic High Performance Rugby Academy centre on Wallace Field.

• The Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) is in the variance review phase and will provide a new home for UVic's Department of Athletics and Recreation and for CanAssist, which develops and delivers technologies, programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities. On May 30, 2012, UVic submitted its updated variance application with the revised parkade design and preferred exterior option to the District of Saanich. More information is at http://www.uvic.ca/carsa/

UVic Supports Symphony Splash

Don't miss the upcoming Symphony Splash on Sunday, August 5th at Victoria's Inner Harbour. UVic is proud to be a member of the Band of Heroes to support this event. See http://www.victoriasymphony.ca/splash/ .