UGRA will host its Spring Forum on April 17, 2025 from 2 to 4 PM in the Arboretum Centre and online via ZOOM.

The speakers for this session will be: 

1. Jane Kuepfer, RP, PhD, MDiv, who will discuss Spirituality and Aging.

Dr. Kuepfer is the Schlegel Specialist in Spirituality and Aging with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging and Conrad Grebel University College. She is a spiritual director, an ordained minister, and a registered psychotherapist, and serves as a spiritual care provider in a retirement home. In her role with the RIA, Jane coordinates an annual Spirituality and Aging Seminar, hosts a webinar series, conducts research, and teaches graduate courses in Spirituality and Aging at the University of Waterloo.

 2. Laura Middleton, MSc, PhD, who will discuss Strategies for the Prevention of Dementia.

Dr. Middleton is an Associate Professor and the Schlegel Research Chair in Dementia and Active Living in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. Her research aims to identify strategies to promote health, wellbeing, and function of those living with, or at risk for, dementia. She focuses on the role of physical activity alone and in combination with healthy eating and social engagement, recognizing their broad impact on cognitive, physical, social, and mental wellbeing. Her research takes a participatory approach, integrating the expertise and perspectives of people living with dementia, care partners, health care professionals, community service providers, and other community members as partners to create accessible and effective programs and supports. She is the co-lead of the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network.

A full program and link to the ZOOM session will be available closer to the date.  We hope to see you there.