Presentation schedule

Michelle Porter, PhD, Director, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba
Mario Pinto, PhD, Vice-President, Research and International, University of Manitoba

Christine Kelly, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Community and Global Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

Care poverty, a novel conceptual framework, describes situations where people do not receive enough care due to both individual and structural factors. The framework helps identify areas for policy intervention, thus offering an alternative to other approaches that measure unmet care needs. This presentation will share findings from a mixed-methods study that aimed to document care poverty for the first time in the Canadian context drawing on analysis of Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey and 32 interviews with older adults in Manitoba and Ontario.

Shahin Shooshtari, PhD, Professor, College of Community and Global Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba; Senior Researcher, St. Amant Research Centre 
Nicole Bobbette, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience unique challenges as they age. Among these challenges are higher rates of dementia, and an earlier onset compared to individuals without IDD. Diagnosing dementia in this population is particularly complex, as standard cognitive screening tools often fail to capture the subtle and specific symptoms of decline. To address this gap, an IDD-specific dementia screening program has been developed and recommended for use with this population. However, the extent to which this program has been implemented and its effectiveness in community settings remain unclear. This presentation will describe preliminary findings from our CIHR-funded study evaluating the implementation and impact of the IDD dementia screening program in Canada.

Visit the Multi-Purpose Room to view the poster session, meet with exhibitors, and connect with UM representatives for the Age-Friendly University Showcase.

Virtual posters presentation links will be available on the Poster presentation web page on May 7, 2026.

Light refreshments will be served.

Genevieve Thompson, RN, PhD, CHPCN(C), Professor & Research Chair in Person-Directed Living (Riverview Health Centre); Associate Dean Graduate Programs, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

There is an increasing recognition that a palliative approach to care is a vital and integral part of all clinical practice, regardless of condition, progression, or where care is provided. This presentation will discuss the Strengthening a Palliative Approach to Care in Long-Term Care (SPA-LTC) program which has been implemented in several long-term care homes in four provinces since 2015. Findings from our most recent randomized controlled trial will be presented along with learnings from our work to spread the program nationwide.

Visit the multi-purpose room to view the poster session, meet with exhibitors, and connect with UM representatives for the Age-Friendly University Showcase.

Virtual posters presentation links can be found on the Poster presentation web page.

For those interested, view the poster sessions, visit the exhibitors, and connect with University of Manitoba representatives at the Age-Friendly University Showcase, which will take place in the MPR.

Reflections on the University of Manitoba becoming the first Canadian university to adopt the 10 Age-Friendly University principles.

Richard Milgrom, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Department of City Planning; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging University of Manitoba

Session abstract to come

Rodrigo Villar, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

Older adults frequently experience a sudden drop in blood pressure after standing, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension (OH). Approximately 25–30% of older adults exhibit OH, yet nearly one-third remain asymptomatic. Despite this, OH is strongly associated with impaired balance, postural instability, falls, serious health complications, and increased mortality. While previous research has focused primarily on the prevalence of OH, less attention has been given to the time course of recovery following active standing, a factor that may be critical for understanding risk. This session will examine age-related differences in autonomic and cardiovascular responses to active standing by comparing younger and older adults. Key outcomes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance, will be discussed with an emphasis on recovery dynamics. By highlighting how delayed or altered recovery may contribute to functional instability, this work aims to improve the identification of individuals at higher risk for OH and inform the development of targeted interventions, such as exercise-based strategies. Ultimately, this research seeks to advance understanding of orthostatic intolerance in aging and support approaches that enhance safety, independence, and quality of life in older adults.

Visit the Multi-Purpose Room to view the poster session, meet with exhibitors, and connect with UM representatives for the Age-Friendly University Showcase.

Virtual posters presentation links will be available on the Poster presentation web page on May 7, 2026.

Lucille Bruce, Co-Chair, Indigenous Seniors Research Committee and Co-Chair, Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition
Joanne Simard Mason, Co-Chair of the Board, Indigenous Seniors Resource Centre and Co-Chair, Indigenous Seniors Research Committee
Kathy Mallett, Member, Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition, Indigenous Seniors Research Committee, and Research Committee of the Manitoba Research Alliance
Laura Funk, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology and Criminology; Research Affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

In the fall of 2022, two local Indigenous community leaders formed the Indigenous Seniors Research Committee (ISRC) to study older Indigenous persons’ experiences of aging, housing and supports in Winnipeg. The goal was that the research would be used in advocacy, to amplify older adults’ voices. ISRC members and researchers will present the findings and discuss how the project unfolded over time, including connections made with 48 Indigenous older adults through interviews and discussion-based focus circles. Efforts to support the housing and aging-related needs of Indigenous persons should be Indigenous-led, promote family-centred options, and centre Indigenous values in design, programs and processes, while recognizing diversity among Indigenous older adults. Our findings also call for approaches that extend beyond building more housing to prevent or address the displacement of Indigenous older adults from their families/culture/kin and reduce the harms of medical and institutional approaches to aging.

Return name badges to the Registration Desk in front of the Multi-Purpose Room, second floor.

• 42nd Spring Research Symposium  (PDF)
• 41st Spring Research Symposium (PDF)
• 40th Spring Research Symposium (PDF).
• 39th Spring Research Symposium (PDF)
• 38th Spring Research Symposium (PDF)

To request to view past Spring Research Symposium programs, email the Centre on Aging.