Leave no one behind: Part 4 of Intergenerational Engagement series

This episode is a continuation of the Intergenerational Engagement series of Dementia Dialogue hosted by Lisa Loiselle. Guests include Albin Soni, a student at University of British Columbia (UBC), Mario Gregorio, a passionate advocate living with dementia, and Lillian Hung, an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at UBC.

In 2020, Dr. Hung received funding to create the Innovation in Dementia and Aging (IDEA) Lab at UBC. The purpose of the IDEA Lab is to bring together patients, family partners, researchers, health system planners, and students (as co-researchers) to create technology that will assist in the care of people with dementia and older adults, teach new skills, and prepare students for professional advancement.

During this episode, Lisa and her guests speak about the inspiration for IDEA Lab, its goals and how Mario and Albin are involved as mentor (Patient engagement partner) and mentee, respectively. They discuss the process of ideation to creation of their technology projects through patient-oriented research, that also has the added benefit of intergenerational engagement. They also speak about their motivation to get involved in IDEA Lab. Dr. Hung also speaks about the importance of inclusion in their research and making the work important for everyone, leaving no one behind.

Beyond the research, the IDEA Lab team has built an incredible bond with each other and through their engagement, they are learning from each other, reducing stigma, and removing barriers.

Biographies:

Albin Soni (Research Assistant | UBC IDEA Lab). is currently a fourth year Biomedical Engineering student at UBC, with a focus in cellular engineering and medical devices. He is also a research assistant with the UBC Innovation in Dementia and Aging (IDEA) Lab. At IDEA Lab he pursues his interests in healthcare accessibility and innovation, while at the same time helping those with dementia and related conditions. As a long-term care home volunteer, he has become familiar with some of the hardships experienced by these individuals. The work at IDEA lab is so important to address these hardships. Outside of IDEA Lab, Albin can be found listening to music, hanging out with friends, and finding new foods to eat. 

Mario Gregorio is a passionate advocate to create awareness, reduce stigma and educate the public about neurocognitive disorder or dementia. He is a member of several committees that encourage inclusiveness and accessibility for people with hidden disabilities and a recognized public speaker in universities across Canada and in the United States. He is a coauthor of several research papers about digital technology and robotics and a mentor for the University of British Columbia IDEA Lab and Simon Fraser University School of Gerontology. And is actively involved with community projects to help alleviate loneliness and foster social connections. He enjoys taking pictures during his morning walks and loves gardening.

Lillian Hung is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Nursing; she holds a Canada Research Chair in Senior Care. She is interested in patient-oriented research and the innovation of care for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Through the creation of the IDEA Lab, she has brought together a team of enthusiastic young students, along with patient and family partners who are pursuing innovation in dementia and aging research through co-designing of projects and sharing in the benefits of collaborative research.

Resources for website:

https://idea.nursing.ubc.ca/