Kitchener, ON- June 25th, 2013- The Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is pleased to announce the launch of a 3 year project to accelerate the application of research to practice in senior living environments. This project is made possible through a generous donation from The Cowan Foundation.
This donation will fund a “Research Application Specialist” who will focus on one major research initiative at a time and create a research-informed program for residents in senior living communities.
The first research-to-practice initiative will focus on promoting physical activity together with social integration and cognitive stimulation across 12 senior villages operated by the Ron Schlegel family. It builds on Schlegel Villages’ highly regarded Program for Active Living and introduces a new element of mental exercises simultaneously with physical exercises.
“We’ve known the benefits of regular physical activity for physical health for a long time” said Dr. Mike Sharratt, President of the RIA, “We’ve also known the benefits of physical activity for brain health for a long time. What’s relatively new is research that shows playing fun mental games and socializing while exercising has a synergistic effect on brain health”.
Known as “dual task” in the research literature, the enhanced brain blood flow from mild physical exertion “opens” the brain to enhanced learning from mental stimulation when that mental stimulation occurs at the same time as the physical activity. This is particularly important to help prevent memory decline in older adults.
The program’s impacts will be evaluated in its first year of operation and decisions about continuation and expansion will be made based on those results.
“This new program that the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is launching has great potential to improve the lives of older adults, and especially those affected by memory decline”, said Heather McLachlin, President, Cowan Insurance Group. “By donating $300,000 to this program, we are supporting an important initiative that will impact communities across Canada, through shared learning.”
About Schlegel Villages
The Ron Schlegel family of Kitchener owns and operates 12 continuum of care villages that are home to over 3,000 seniors. Schlegel Villages are community hubs in each of the cities in which they are located, and are proven leaders in quality and innovation in seniors living and care. The Schlegel family has committed over 40 Million dollars towards philanthropic projects designed to enhance quality of care and quality of life for seniors living in long-term care and retirement living, including a substantial “teaching long-term care” development on the campus of the University of Waterloo, slated to open in 2015.
About the RIA
The RIA (www.the-ria.ca) is a non-profit charitable foundation created by Dr. Ron Schlegel to promote research and practice relevant to aging. The RIA attracts research projects to “living research environments” within long-term care and retirement facilities, with a view to immediate translation of research to practical training application, resident care, and resident quality of life.
About the Cowan Foundation
The Cowan Foundation (www.cowanfoundation.ca) was started in 1995 in honour of Frank Cowan, the founder of Cowan Insurance Group and Frank Cowan Company. The Foundation is sustained by the ongoing success of the Princeton Holdings group of companies including Cowan Insurance Group, Frank Cowan Company, The Guarantee Company of North America and Millennium CreditRisk Management. Together they provide insurance and risk management products and services for individuals, businesses, organizations and public entities as well as assist employers with their group benefits, retirement and health and disability management plans. The goal of The Cowan Foundation is to make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and the broader well-being of our communities.
Contact information:
Mike Sharratt, PhD
President, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
519-571-1873 x124
sharratt@uwaterloo.ca
Lynne Short
Director, Communications and Community Relations
The Cowan Foundation/ Princeton Holdings Limited
519-650-6363 x31608
lynne.short@princetonholdings.com
The Cowan Foundation Partners with Schlegel & UW RIA to Support 3 year Research Project
