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Check out Gateway's New Youtube Channel!This year, the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is celebrating our 10 year anniversary! Founded in 2008, we will be posting regular videos to our new Youtube Channel this year to summarize our past successes, and talk about the future of the organization.
Gateway Nursing Students Present: The Intergenerational Living Model Pictured Left to Right: Kelley Nedza, Lori Sneddon and Gwen Devereaux with presentation.
Rent free retirement living for young students in exchange for senior companionship and intergenerational mentorship. This is the solution Nipissing University nursing students Lori Sneddon and Kelley Nedza have outlined titled “The Intergenerational Living Model”.
Over the past months, Sneddon and Nedza have been completing a community placement project in collaboration with Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health in Goderich, ON. Through the guidance of Gwen Devereaux R.N., they have had access to many of the area’s most notable senior resources such as Goderich Place, Harbour Hill Retirement Community, and the McKay Centre for Seniors. While touring these places, both students recognized the beneficial programming that is in place for older adults living in the Goderich area. They also noted the potential for other initiatives for our progressively aging population. Thus, drafting a Goderich intended intergenerational living model. In a brief presentation given at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health on March 27th, both Sneddon and Nedza outlined the benefits of the model. The model would initially consist of nursing students living amongst the retirement community, which could be extended further into occupational/recreational therapy students, and even plumber or electrician apprenticeships. The students would live within the retirement home rent free in exchange for 30hrs of volunteer companionship with the other residents. Both students are very confident in the idea they have outlined, stating the only barriers to their model would be lack of interest or lack of funding. Based off similar fully functioning models in The Netherlands, both students conducted research as to why they believe this model could be implemented in Huron County. They found that although Goderich has many effective resources and initiatives, geriatric loneliness and social isolation is still very prevalent. This model could improve social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and coping strategies which in turn will increase overall health, and reduce the instances of dementia, depression, and hypertension in seniors. Through a three “S” system they would hope the model would allow for older adults be supported, safe, and socially connected. In addition to the health benefits for the individuals, this model would greatly benefit the community by integrating inspired youth into our rural areas. Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is very excited about the model and would like to see how it can be further implemented after the nurses leave to pursue the rest of their degree. Thank you, Lori and Kelley, for all your hard work and we wish you the best of luck in your future schooling and research! Gateway Welcomes New Research Chair Heather Mair and Officialize Partnership with G2G Rail Trail
On Thursday, January 25th, Heather Mair, a University of Waterloo professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies was appointed as a Research Chair at the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health. Heather has been given the title of Chair of Rural Community Development and Well-Being. Mair grew up in Rural New Brunswick and has a PhD in Rural Development. The majority of Heather Mair’s research and work has been in community development and the role that recreation, sport and leisure play in community involvement. She specifically likes to focus on and illustrate the social importance of these activities, which is especially evident within small towns and rural in communities. In filling this position, Heather Mair is looking forward to working within the community and helping to address some of the unique difficulties and issues of rural life through upcoming projects and potential research opportunities. Additionally, a new partnership was made official at last week’s meeting between the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, and the G2G Rail Trail organization with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This document forms the first step in an active, and ongoing relationship built on the common interests of the two organizations to strengthen connections between communities, bring value to rural communities, and improve the quality of life and overall health of those living in rural Ontario. The documentation of these shared interests as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, provides a concrete prospect for future policy development, possible research opportunities and overall growth. Click here to read the full article from the Goderich Signal Star on Gateway's New Research Chair
Click here to read the full article from the Goodrich Signal Star on Gateway's New Partnership with the G2G Rail Trail 5th Annual "Hometown Heroes" Charity Hockey Game Planning Under WayAt the inaugural 2018 meeting, representatives of AM&G hospital, the YMCA, Gateway and Ben Lobb's office met on Tuesday January 16 to discuss some of the promotion and logistic details that go into making this game a great fundraiser and fun family evening.
To read the full news article, click here. 
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