Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population

Care doesn’t start with policy — it starts with people. In this special episode of Coming of Age , host Donna Duncan sits down with the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta , Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, responsibility, and what it means to answer the call to care. A registered nurse, Minister, MPP, mom, wife, daughter.. and even a stude...

Five years ago, Coming of Age launched during a global pandemic that exposed deep fractures in how we care for older adults.  For this milestone episode, host Donna Duncan reunites with our very first guest, award-winning journalist and author Moira Welsh to reflect on progress, persistent challenges and the future of aging in Ontario. Moira’s new book, The Astonishing Lives of Older Women ,...

Ontario is home to more than 330,000 people living with dementia today, a number expected to reach one million within a generation. Behind these staggering statistics are real people navigating profound changes in cognition, communication, and identity. This episode brings together two experts in medicine and compassionate care to illustrate how Ontario’s long‑term care sector can honour the perso...

In long-term care, the workforce is the heart of every home. When we invest in long-term care as essential economic infrastructure, we not only provide compassionate care, we also strengthen Ontario’s GDP, create recession-proof jobs and provide reliable support for our aging population. In this episode, host Donna Duncan is speaking with two respected leaders who are unpacking all the ways in whi...

Primary care is often called the heartbeat of healthcare, and in Ontario’s rural and northern communities, it’s a lifeline. As more than half of long-term care spaces await redevelopment, local care teams are stepping up with new ideas and strong collaboration to help older adults age with dignity and connection. In this episode, host Donna Duncan speaks with 3 inspiring women who are reshaping se...

Canada’s service members are individuals who have served our country with courage and commitment - yet as they age, many find themselves navigating a fragmented care system that doesn’t fully reflect the values they upheld in uniform.   This episode of Coming of Age brings together experts from Medicine and Military to discuss what it means to truly care for the veterans of today - and t...

Supporting complex care needs in our long-term care homes is becoming increasingly difficult at times, but it is not impossible. In this conversation, we’re learning how clinical expertise is merging with the mastery of caregiving to create a fast track to a future where complex continuing care is not only comprehensive but truly optimal.  Andrea Thompson is Vice President of Long Term Care, Comm...

When we imagine a better future for aging and care, we must begin with those who live it firsthand.     In this episode, Donna Duncan speaks with two caregivers who share their own experiences of moving loved ones into long term care.  Laura Vita became a young caregiver for her father. Now a registered nurse, she brings a powerful mix of personal and professional perspective to...

With over 160,000 downloads and growing national reach, this season brings a bold new focus: Rethinking Aging, Reimagining Public Care.  In a time of rising demand and urgent need, we’re challenging old assumptions about long-term care, ageism, and what it means to grow older in Canada. Through honest conversations, powerful stories, and expert insights, we explore how to build a system that t...

How do we build a thriving workforce to meet the growing demands of seniors’ care?   With aging populations on the rise, the need for creative solutions in workforce development has never been more urgent. Enter the Living Classroom – a program that integrates education directly into long-term care. This innovative approach is training the next generation of caregivers and health care provide...

What does it take to create transformative change in healthcare and senior care? Around the world, health systems are facing a generational shift as aging populations grow, yet many remain unprepared for the scale of demand. Why has this pivotal moment been so difficult to address? What can we learn from past failures, and how can we pave the way for a radically better future?   In this episo...

How can we plan communities of care that work across diverse settings, while balancing the immediate needs of today’s older adults with planning for future generations?   In this episode, we explore redefining seniors’ care. From balancing immediate needs with long-term planning to fostering models of care that prioritize connection, housing and care, this conversation highlights the power of...

Elections are taking place around the world and across Canada. What are voters thinking and how is it informing how political parties are making decisions about healthcare and seniors’ care, including long-term care?   This episode dives into these timely issues in two parts: Donna Duncan first sits down with David Coletto , CEO of Abacus Data , to explore voter behaviour and trends. Through...

What can the United Kingdom teach us about rethinking aging and social care? In a world that's becoming more interconnected, there's an increasing focus on sharing insights and challenging one another to find innovative solutions for the future of care and reimagining what aging and social care can look like. In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with two inspiring voices: Professor Vic Rayner O...

When you hear "normal aging," what comes to mind? For many, the concept is clouded by misconceptions and fears about the years ahead. But what if we could embrace aging as a natural, even empowering part of life? In this episode, Donna Duncan sits down with Dr. Rosanne Leipzig , geriatrician and author of Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life , to get real about the realities...

How do we talk with our aging parents about their health, care needs, and life transitions? More and more of us are entering a phase of life we didn’t quite anticipate—caring for our aging parents. As Canada's population ages, it’s becoming crucial for families to plan ahead and have open, honest conversations about aging and future care needs. Whether in our 30s or 70s, many of us are left asking...

What does it mean to be a family caregiver in today’s world?  In Ontario, more than 4 million individuals step into the role of caregiver, providing essential support to family members, partners, friends, or neighbours. Most caregivers are assisting older adults over 65 who face age-related needs including mobility issues, cognitive impairments like dementia, and cardiovascular concerns. As o...

How can we re-think how we build seniors’ communities?   In Canada, innovative partnerships are leading the way in transforming how we think about aging and care. One such groundbreaking initiative is unfolding in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada where Trent University is building a seniors’ village on the university campus, and they are partnering with peopleCare Communities to build and o...

How do we build a better future for seniors?  Seniors’ populations around the world are growing and innovative solutions are crucial to meet their evolving needs. In regions like Ontario, Canada, novel projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are showing us what the future can look like.   In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by Roxana Sultan, Chief Data Officer and Vic...

How can we address the critical health workforce shortage and build a sustainable future for seniors' care?  In Canada, and especially in Ontario, the demand for nurses and personal support workers continues to climb. Ontario alone needs tens of thousands of additional workers to meet the growing care needs and to support new long-term care spaces. This challenge is not unique to Ontario or C...

Welcome to Season 4 of 'Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging population.' In just four years, the oldest baby boomers will turn 80. By 2040, in Ontario alone, our over-80 population will have nearly doubled.  For many, these numbers are hard to comprehend. But the reality is, our society is getting older, their health needs are getting more complex, and we’ll need to significantly ex...

How do we build a better future for seniors? Elderly populations around the world are growing. And in regions like Ontario, Canada, one in five seniors over the age of 80 have complex care needs that currently can only be safely met in long-term care. Yet Ontario has more than 40,000 people waiting for long-term care and the list is growing. In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by three Ontario...

How can communities help more seniors to age in place? Canada’s urban areas are home to a large number of older adults, and more are choosing to live in apartment and condo buildings than ever before. In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by a researcher and innovator on naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) in urban centres: Jen Recknagel, Senior Design Lead and Director of Innovat...

How can jurisdictions work across sectors to ensure a better future for all of us as we age? Aging well is multifaceted and requires collaboration to develop and implement innovative and aligned solutions – such as local infrastructure, transportation, housing, health care and social services, education and more. In this episode, Donna Duncan is joined by two U.S. experts on aging services and mul...

Are Baby Boomers preparing for their future healthcare needs? In four years, the oldest of the Baby Boom generation will turn 80. By 2040, the population over 80 will double and we know their complex care needs will grow. Until recently however, one of the missing pieces of information in conversations about future seniors’ care planning was how the Baby Boom generation is preparing for poten...