Panel participants to share their perspectives on plans to care for growing number of seniors

November 7, 2011 - With the number of people over the age of 65 in Ontario projected to double in the next 25 years, the need to plan how to organize the best possible care system for older adults has reached a critical stage.

The McMaster University community and the public at large will have the chance to engage in a discussion with a panel of experts about current approaches and future opportunities to support healthy aging in Ontario, during an event on Monday, November 14.

Organized by the Student Subcommittee of the McMaster Health Forum, the expert panel discussion entitled Organizing a Care System for Older Adults in Ontario will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 3020 of the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning. The audience will be able to gain a better understanding of how various approaches and opportunities related to caring for older adults can affect them.

The panel will feature four participants who will be taking part during the day in a stakeholder dialogue convened by the McMaster Health Forum, and involving a range of policymakers, health system leaders, citizens and researchers who have been brought together to deliberate about a care system for older adults, and consider how to generate action.

The panel members are:

• Alex Bezzina, assistant deputy minister, Health Systems Accountability and Performance Division, Ministry of Health and Long-term Care;

• Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors;

• Michel Grignon, director of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis and associate professor in the departments of Economics and Health, Aging and Society at McMaster University;

• Mike Wilson, assistant director of the McMaster Health Forum and part-time assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McMaster.

They will be sharing first-hand insights gained during the dialogue, and their perspective on a care system for older adults. Their comments will be followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience.

The event is open to all, but seating is limited. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with “Panel Discussion 14 November” in the subject line, and indicating your name and affiliation (program, faculty, organization).

To view a poster for the event, click here.