A University of British Columbia-Okanagan research team, partnering with the BC Centre for Palliative Care (BCCPC), has kicked off an exciting nationwide project bringing together three important social health movements—compassionate communities, dementia-friendly communities, and volunteer navigation (Nav-CARE) –to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and offer empowering supports for people living with dementia to age in place.

With a contribution from Health Canada and led by Dr. Barb Pesut from UBC-O, the team is collaborating with six Canadian organizations to envision, implement, and evaluate compassionate, dementia-inclusive initiatives. Supported by expertise from the BCCPC and the Building Capacity (in dementia) Project based out of UBC-Vancouver, the team has developed a customized toolkit for groups developing these compassionate dementia-inclusive community initiatives. It includes a practical set of steps to follow as well as an exploration of key issues to consider when building relationships, convening conversations, implementing programs, and aiming to sustain the initiatives long term.

To spread the word, partner organizations will create inter-organizational leadership teams who will in turn work with advisory boards of key stakeholders, including people with lived experience – people living with dementia and their care partners. These leadership teams will implement interventions tailored to their community, and evaluate the results. To ensure the success of the dementia-inclusive community interventions, the participating organizations will provide volunteers with training in the internationally acclaimed Nav-CARE (Navigation, Connecting, Advocating, Resourcing, Engaging).

More ECHO crossover than ever

In 2024, we noticed that more than ever, ECHO participants were taking a wider look at our ECHO offerings and “crossing over” to explore multiple sessions and multiple series throughout the year. In addition to those participating in both our open series (where anyone can choose which or how many sessions to attend) and our closed/cohort series (where a defined group of learners progress through the series together), these crossover “super users” enjoyed the flexibility to attend whatever they felt would be of interest to their work. An additional benefit was the mixing of professional backgrounds, sectors and interests who attended together and learned from each other.

We continued to work with our external partners to offer two cohort-style series in 2024. These are focused on a specific care team/role, and the topics covered come directly from those participating. Staying with the same ECHO cohort promotes networking, sharing and learning from others working in the same field. For example, the Advance Practice for Psychosocial Care Providers cohort offered six sessions tailored specifically for this group, and the Provincial Palliative Care Coordinates cohort provided a learning space suited to their needs and interests

Looking ahead to 2025

Excited for 2025, we are developing a full schedule – ideally one ECHO offering every week from February to the end of the year. Many of our series are continuing — including Grief and Bereavement Literacy, All Together, and Updates and Innovations in Essential Conversations for the Health Care Team — so keep an eye on our website for session topics and registration details. Additionally, we are cultivating relationships with partners on new topics, to pepper into the schedule more standalone sessions and some limited series. We are excited to share that the first of these will be partnering with the Canadian Red Cross who will be presenting in February:

The Power of Social Connection: Explore the Evidence-based Impact of Friendly Calls on people, communities, and the healthcare system

We look forward to continuing to work with our hub partners who put some much energy and effort into crafting evidence-based sessions that spark conversation and connection with our participants. We are also grateful to all of you who have attended an ECHO session in 2024. The all teach, all learn model is what makes ECHO a special learning platform. We couldn’t do it without you!

There are so many ECHO learning opportunities to come. Join our mailing list so you don’t miss a single one: echo@bc-cpc.ca. You can also check our webpage for upcoming session information.

BCCPC is seeking expressions of interest from ACP facilitators for the opportunity to become certified ACP Master Trainer, leveraging your expertise to guide and empower BC community organizations in promoting advance care planning. The training program for Master Trainers is set to commence in February 2025.

As a co-facilitator alongside a BCCPC trainer, you will assist in the delivery of “My Wishes, My Care: Advance Care Planning Sessions” to equip non-profit community organizations across BC to foster meaningful conversations about advance care planning. This initiative seeks to empower British Columbians to receive care that aligns with their values, beliefs, and wishes.

As an ACP Master Trainer:

• You will be a co-facilitator alongside of a BCCPC trainer to deliver My Wishes, My Care: Advance Care Planning Sessions for the Public. This training is to equip and empower non-profit community organizations across BC to promote meaningful conversations about ACP, empowering British Columbians get the care that is right for them, and consistent with their values, beliefs and wishes.
• You will serve as a key resource and advocate for ACP education and awareness in BC.

As you train to become an ACP Master Trainer, you will be fully supported, including:

• Comprehensive training
• Access to resources: Gain all the tools and materials needed to deliver ACP Facilitator training to community organizations.

BCCPC plans to host a minimum of three (3) facilitator trainings per year

• Compensation: you will be compensated for your role in preparing for and delivering ACP Facilitator training on behalf of BCCPC @ $400 per training.
• You will have the flexibility to choose the training sessions that you wish to co-facilitate, based on your availability.

How to Apply:

Please submit your expression of interest to Melody Jobse at mjobse@bc-cpc.ca by January 23, 2025. Share a brief description of your experience with ACP, your interest in this role, and any relevant qualifications

Help us strengthen advance care planning across British Columbia—become a part of this rewarding initiative!