Sue is a trusted policy strategist, educator and advocate, within the field of healthy aging and caregiving. Sue's extensive healthcare, housing, and community care background includes policy planning and innovative change implementation.
Empowering seniors to age in place starts with building the right support where they live. By encouraging developers to create accessible spaces and pushing governments to fund support services in buildings and neighborhoods with high numbers of older adults, we can help seniors stay independent and connected. Horizontal NORCs-neighborhoods with…
Discover how nonprofits and community groups are revolutionizing senior care by bringing integrated health services directly to where older adults live. By focusing support in buildings with high numbers of seniors and people with disabilities, these programs help prevent hospitalizations and keep seniors healthier at home. With 95% of seniors…
Many seniors are still placed in institutional care, but there are better alternatives. Seniors for Social Action Ontario was founded to advocate for community-based options like in-home care, assisted living, and adult day programs. These alternatives help seniors maintain independence, dignity, and a higher quality of life-proving that institutional care…
"Why Are Dementia Patients Treated Differently? End the Stigma!"
Dr. Patricia Spindel has worked with youth and engaged in systemic advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families and older adults for over forty years. She taught at both the University of Guelph-Humber and the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, where she also coordinated the…
CHATS welcomes Richmond Hill South, Majid Jowhari.
In this episode of the podcast, CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz talks to Michael Braithwaite from Blue Door. Over 80,000 people are facing homelessness across our province, and this number could amount to 300,000 within the next ten years if support and plans are not put into place to address the…
This week on the podcast, CEO Christina Bisanz speaks to Dr. Raza Mirza, Florene Shruber, Alexis Hart, and Jessica Hsieh, who are all key contributors to University of Toronto’s Aging and Health Course’s intergenerational classroom in partnership with Christie Gardens Retirement Residence. This innovative and experiential learning experience brings two…
In this episode, CEO Christina Bisanz and CEO Amy Coupal from the Ontario Caregiver Organization discuss the journey of caregiving, how to connect caregivers with support, the importance of caregivers having a voice in the health care system, a National Caregiving Strategy, and resources available for caregivers. Amy Coupal is…
In this episode, CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz and Alzheimer’s York Region Society CEO Kari Quinn-Humphrey discuss caregiving in dementia patients, the stigma behind dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society First Link Program, what a dementia friendly community is,” Bill 121, Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act, 2024”, as well as aging in…
Mary Bayliss is the Chair of the Board of Directors for CHATS - Community & Home Assistance to Seniors, a non-profit organization providing a wide range of community support services to help seniors live at home safely, affordably, and with dignity.With a diverse background in healthcare governance and senior leadership…
CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz welcomes MP of Newmarket-Aurora Tony Van Bynen, he has been in the role since 2019. Tony Van Bynen was the Mayor of Newmarket for several years, and he sits on many committees such as the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the…
CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz speaks to Lisa Gonsalves, who is the Acting Commissioner, Community and Health Services at the Municipality of York Region. Lisa has been with York Region for over 23 years in different roles. She served as the General Manager for the Paramedic and Senior Services, as well…