Ruth Tamari

Ruth Tamari (she/her) is currently working on a Masters degree at McMaster University in Health and Aging, focusing her thesis research on intergenerational community in multi-unit housing. Previously she worked as a geriatric clinician for 20 years at Baycrest Centre including its innovative Community Recreation Outreach Program. She realized the importance of seniors-driven and seniors-led facilitation of the community-building process to achieve sustainable results. Ruth is the author of “The Invitation: Rich and Raw Conversations about Aging, Death and Dying.” As an emerging older adult herself, she is interested in exploring the humanistic perspective of aging in our families, communities and society.

Report

Understanding CORE – How Online Support Facilitates Independent Living for Older Canadians 

Healthy Aging CORE (Collaborative Online Resources and Education, “CORE”) Canada is an innovative community-driven initiative dedicated to connecting organizations that support older adults, and advance independent living for older adults across Canada.  CORE is an online platform that connects organizations and individuals, through discussion groups, communities of practice and through knowledge exchange and resource sharing. While these active groups are undoubtedly helpful, a strategic approach to discerning priority topic areas and resources at a national scale has not been undertaken.  To address this, the SCSC Fellow will build off HelpAge Canada and National Institute on Aging research to identify priority topic areas at a national level, most important to supporting older adult independence and inclusion. 

HelpAge Canada, founded in 1975, started as “Help the Aged Canada,” focusing on representation for older persons in Canadian charities and has since become a registered charity dedicated to promoting healthy aging, forming a global network with HelpAge International in 1983. HelpAge Canada collaborates with community-based seniors’ services organizations to tailor solutions, aiming to enhance the lives of older individuals and their communities both domestically and internationally, with a vision for a world where everyone can age with dignity.