EPIC Conference 2022
AGE-WELL is a Canadian-based network that brings together researchers, trainees, students, stake-holders and older adults to help develop technologies and services for healthy aging. As part of the AGE-WELL network, the DATE lab receives funding for many of its projects through this organization which allows us to work on improving the lives of older adults and support healthy ageing.
The annual EPIC Conference is an opportunity for students, researchers and staff to showcase their work and connect with other industry members. Each day of the conference focuses on one of the 8 unique challenge areas. These challenge areas are based on previously identified complex problem areas found through extensive public consultation that demand innovation and deployment of real-world solutions.
The 8 challenge areas are as follows:
Supportive Homes & Communities
Health Care & Health Service Delivery
Autonomy & Independence
Cognitive Health & Dementia
Mobility & Transportation
Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness
Staying Connected
Financial Wellness & Employment
This year’s EPIC conference took place May 30-June 10 in a virtual format, where two of our lab members were selected to present their work! PhD student Erica Dove was selected to present during the Mobility and Transportation session, and policy analyst Dr. Kristina Kokorelias presented during the Financial Wellness & Employment session.
We sat down with them this month for our coffee chat series to learn more about their experience at the conference. Read more below!
MCI@work: the adaptive technological strategies to sustain employment among people with MCI or young onset dementia in the workplace
Dr. Kristina Kokorelias, Policy Analyst
What is your project about?
MCI@WORK is an interdisciplinary partnership between researchers from Sweden, Finland and Canada with the goal to develop new knowledge and tools to facilitate continued work and/or transition from work, for persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early stage dementia. Specifically, we focus on the role of technology, the match between persons and technologies, testing new/adapted solutions to support continued work and/or transition from work, and the learning approaches and problem-solving strategies each person develops for adapting and managing working with cognitive impairment. The team applies an interdisciplinary, in-depth inquiry to the data being collected across the countries to produce new tools and technologies that enable people with MCI/dementia to take a lead role in managing and choosing their work life.
How did you feel about presenting at EPIC?
I always love returning to EPIC. As someone who doesn’t like public speaking, I always get a little nervous, but the audience is always so welcoming. The questions help to spark new ideas for myself that I eagerly share with the team.
What advice would you give new students that are nervous about presenting at their first conference?
I always try to remember no one knows the project more than I do.
[Dr. Kokorelias does not have any upcoming events to mention but you can follow her on Twitter to learn more]
Balance Rehabilitation for People with Dementia: Clinician Experts Informing Exergame Design
Erica Dove, PhD Student
What is your project about?
Broadly, my PhD research aims to develop an exercise video game for people living with dementia that can reduce falls risk by targeting falls risk factors, including poor balance and a fear of falling.
How did you feel about presenting at EPIC?
I was very excited to present at EPIC this year because I was able to co-present my work with a member of the AGE-WELL Older Adults and Caregivers Advisory Committee (OACAC), Dr. Olive Bryanton. Dr. Bryanton emphasized the importance of including older adults at stakeholders in the design process, all the way from conceptualizing the idea, as well as highlighted some barriers to exergame implementation for older adults.
What advice would you give new students that are nervous about presenting at their first conference?
Go to as many events as you can to meet and network with others – those connections will prove to be invaluable throughout your career. You may feel shy at first, but your confidence will grow.
Do you have any upcoming events/conferences to look out for?
I am going to AAIC in July 2022 for the “Technology and Dementia Professional Interest Area (PIA)” pre-conference. I am not presenting at the conference, but I am excited to see the amazing work that everyone’s been doing with dementia and technology! I am also looking forward to CAG and AGE-WELL in October, which will hopefully be in-person.