We invite you to join our guests as we discuss their experiences in caring for patients and residents who have/have not had ACP Conversations.

Our guests will bring different perspectives from their various roles in different care settings.  

This year the breadth of experience includes Paramedics in the home, staff in ICU, an expert and advocate for care in Retirement homes and LTC and our very own Director of Care here at Hospice who brings a wealth of knowledge experience in both community and palliative care.  

Join us as they share their own experiences and perspectives of the health care journey and the importance of Advance Care planning Conversations.     

With time for facilitated discussion, our guests and our expert team of ACP Ambassadors will explore the answers to the questions you might not even know you need to ask!

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, Nov. 17th at 10-11:30 a.m.

This is a virtual event.

RSVP below and you will receive a Zoom link closer to the event.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Ann Bettles has been a Paramedic with the Region of Waterloo since 2001. She currently holds the position of Supervisor, Community Paramedicine. Ann is a founding member of the Program, focusing on delivering individualized, non-emergency supports to community members. She is an advocate for clients and their families, encouraging the best quality of life possible by providing equitable and accessible care.”

Brenda Henderson, Collaborative Practice Lead, BHSc(PT), Grand River Hospital, manage the OTs, PTs, Rec Therapists, and Therapy Assistants in all inpatient programs excluding the mental health programs. She holds a BHSc (PT) from McMaster and has worked at Grand River Hospital since 1990 in all clinical areas as a physiotherapist including 8 years in ICU. She was the professional practice lead for physiotherapy for 5 years and has the collaborative practice manager since April 2020 managing PT, OT, social work, and rec therapy. Brenda is passionate about practice and fully informed decision making based on quality of life and values.

Elaine Shantz is a leader in older adult living, including Long-Term Care, Retirement Living, Supportive Independent Living, Seniors Active Living Centre and Home and Community care. 

She currently serves as the CEO and President of Fairview Parkwood Communities. Both are non-profit organizations. Her previous roles were in the private sector, serving as President of peopleCare Inc., and in a progressive role with Schlegel Villages. As an informed and committed advocate for LTC and RH, her experience allows her to appreciate the best of both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. 

In addition, she has a high-level vantage point as a representative and voice for Long-Term Care and Retirement Housing at several tables, including two Ontario Health Team tables (Cambridge-North Dumfries and KW4). With the advent of COVID-19, she also participates three additional committees: Waterloo Wellington Non-Hospital Table and Waterloo Region Health Sector Control Group. Most recently Elaine joined the Advantage Ontario Board of Directors.    

Elaine uses experience and passion to make lasting and significant improvement in senior care.

Laura Latyn, Hospice Residence Director of Care, has been a nurse since 1993,  graduating and writing her RN exam straight out of high school. She started working in a casual position at Freeport as there where no nursing jobs at the time. Laura worked at the  Grand River KW site for a few months then moved on to Palliative home care. 

She was a visiting nurse for several years working for a couple of local home care agencies. Laura completed her hospice training from McMaster in the early 2000s, moving on to complete her CAPCE, Leap and eventually certification in hospice palliative care. 

Laura joined Hospice of Waterloo Region Feb 2021, as a floor nurse.  Laura took on the role of and recently moved into the acting DOC in May of 2022 and before assuming the role of Director of Care in July 2022. When asked, Laura has definitely said that Palliative care is a passion of hers and she cannot imagine doing any other area of nursing. Laura is also a  mother of two grown children with her youngest just starting college this year.