Bridging evidence and practice in seniors’ care

Across British Columbia, many seniors want to live healthier, more independent lives in their own homes and communities. Yet, despite a wealth of research showing how to improve seniors’ care, proven solutions often struggle to make the leap from research papers to real-world practice. 

Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Advancing the Use of Evidence in Seniors’ Home and Community Care Program is helping to bridge this gap.  

The program brings together teams of researchers and research users to implement promising approaches in seniors’ care in the health system and evaluate the outcomes. It will provide evidence to help decision-makers across BC support programs that help seniors to live longer, healthier lives more independently in their communities. 

The program is proceeding in two stages. Nine applicants recently received development awards to support planning and team building. Development award teams have been invited to submit full applications this fall. Successful teams will receive additional funding to implement an intervention and evaluate its outcomes. 

All of BC’s regional health authorities are represented among the development award teams, along with one multi-regional, cross-cutting project. This diverse representation ensures a strong focus on each region’s unique strengths and challenges. 

The projects collectively highlight a well-rounded approach to seniors’ care, addressing medical, social, workforce, and caregiver needs to improve seniors’ health, independence, and quality of life. 

Health Research BC is offering ongoing training to development award teams as they develop their full applications. This collaborative approach will help them build skills in implementation, learning communities, and patient-oriented research to support their proposed interventions. 

This program is part of Health Research BC’s approach to addressing the gap between research and practice through targeted, community-engaged funding. By investing in programs that support the implementation of research evidence, we are ensuring that evidence drives improvements in health and care. 

Learn more about the Advancing the Use of Seniors’ Home and Community Care Program 

 

Development award recipients 

The Indigenous Caregiver Support Model (ICSM): Embracing an Indigenous Approach to Home-Based, Family Centered Care in Community

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Amanda LaBoucane

Evaluation Co-Lead: Margo Pearce

Executive Sponsor: Amanda LaBoucane

Application pool: Fraser Health 

 

Healthy Aging with Better Health-Social Collaboration: Evaluating Social Prescribing with and for Seniors in Fraser Health

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Chen-Mei (Margaret) Lin

Evaluation Co-Lead: Kiffer Card 

Executive Sponsor: Francis Moon 

Application pool: Fraser Health 

 

Connecting People and Communities: Integrating Social Prescribing into Home and Community Care Across Health Authorities in British Columbia 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Grace Park

Evaluation Co-Lead: Maureen Ashe

Executive Sponsor: Cheryl Beach 

Application pool: Fraser Health (multi-regional/cross-cutting) 

 

Digital literacy training and virtual reality technology to support seniors’ quality of life in home and community 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Michelle Smith

Evaluation Co-Lead: Kathy Rush 

Executive Sponsor: Jason Giesbrecht

Application pool: Interior Health

 

Advancing the use of evidence to support seniors with heart failure to age forward: Implementing a home and community-based model of care through the Cowichan Health and Care Plan 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Donna Jouan-Tapp  

Evaluation Co-Lead: Craig Mitton 

Executive Sponsor: Emma James 

Application pool: Island Health 

 

Thriving in Community: Improving Health Outcomes and Preventing Hospitalization for Older Adults with Complex Care Needs in Rural and Remote Settings 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Ian Wood  

Evaluation Co-Lead: Amy Salmon 

Executive Sponsor: Max Jajszczok 

Application pool: Island Health 

 

Moral Empowerment System for Healthcare: Supporting Providers in Delivering Quality Seniors’ Home and Community Care and Promoting Dignified Aging in Place 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Esther Alonso-Prieto  

Evaluation Co-Lead: Caroline Sanders 

Executive Sponsor: Kelly Gunn 

Application pool: Northern Health 

 

Advancing Aging in Place: Implementation of Integrated Home-based Primary and Community Care Teams in Urban and Rural VCH Communities 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Karen Barclay  

Evaluation Co-Lead: Lillian Hung 

Executive Sponsor: Yasmin Jetha 

Application pool: Vancouver Coastal Health 

 

Small Care Homes at Vancouver Coastal Health – Supporting Seniors to Live Meaningfully in the Community with Dignity, Connection and Well-being. 

Primary Applicant Co-Lead: Rizwan Damji 

Evaluation Co-Lead: Craig Mitton 

Executive Sponsor: Yasmin Jetha 

Application pool: Vancouver Coastal Health