Page 5 - EUREKA! Summer 2018

have to develop a new social circle.
“A lot of social activities in residential
care are designed to keep residents
busy and get them socially active
but can result in what’s called ‘social
snacking’ — do this today, do that
tomorrow,” says Ysseldyk, comparing
the concept to grabbing snacks
when healthy and satisfying proper
meals (i.e., fulfilling interactions) are
Photo: Chris Roussakis not available. “That’s good for some
people but might not be meaningful for
others. We’re trying to build meaningful
connections and a group identity
Social science for seniors with others participating in the club.
If the theme is gratitude, people say
what they’re thankful for. Sometimes
Canopy special projects research assistant and Carleton Biology master’s graduate Jessica Parsons shows Hepworth a young cannabis it’s positive; sometimes participants
plant in a seed germination and cloning room at the Canopy facility. “Jess is making history,” Hepworth says about the unprecedented shed tears. But they get to know each
research she is collaborating on with her former student. By Tyrone Burke other on a deeper level, which can be
a challenge in residential care. They’re
In a seed germination and cloning room at Canopy’s says Katya Boudko, Canopy’s manager of research and verything inspires me.” Ysseldyk, who is evaluating the surrounded by people, but don’t really
sprawling Smiths Falls facility, with hands-on help from development. “Certain people have been working with Octogenarian Lily Tobin is program’s effectiveness in a project know anybody.”
Canopy special projects research assistant and Carleton cannabis for a long time, but none of that information is Eholding a talking stick and supported by the Toronto-based Ysseldyk and her team of four
Biology master’s graduate Jessica Parsons, Hepworth readily available, or has been reviewed for scientific rigour. sharing a piece of her life story with a Centre for Aging and Brain Health graduate students (including Edna
is developing polyploid cannabis plants and using flow We’re really at the forefront of making these protocols group of fellow residents at Ottawa’s Innovation in partnership with Ottawa’s Tehranzadeh, pictured at left with
cytometry to quantify their DNA. This technique suspends available for cannabis researchers and the industry. Oakpark Retirement Community. The Bruyère Centre for Learning, Research program participants at Oakpark) are
cells in fluid and passes them single-file through a detector Academic partnership possibilities are huge. With us half dozen women seated around a and Innovation in Long-Term Care and doing their research in collaboration
that uses lasers to measure their DNA content. Cannabis knowing the cannabis side of things, and academics having large table in the book-lined library Java Group Programs. with the activity directors at Riverstone
researchers haven’t always had access to advanced a background in a specific scientific discipline, we can are members of the Java Music Club, “Most people like music,” says Retirement Communities in Ottawa.
equipment, or even the plant itself, which has been illegal to partner together and do some very cool research.” which brings together seniors in Ysseldyk, whose research focuses on Weekly sessions are being held at three
grow and study. Even amid the process of legalization, there “This is really exciting,” adds Hepworth. “Because residential care for weekly sessions social determinants of health among Riverstone care homes, with two other
is still plenty of red tape. cannabis was under prohibition before, we’re now able to built around a theme. Residents sing potentially vulnerable populations. “It’s locations serving as a control group
“There hasn’t been much academic research done on develop brand new research techniques that could lead to along to a selection of songs linked to a great way to engage with others. But before they follow suit in the summer.
cannabis botany and published in peer-reviewed journals, more options for improving the health of Canadians.” the theme and then use an image to the key to this project is using the music The Java program is meant to
and certainly not much industry work until recently,” guide their follow-up discussion. to foster peer support and close social be simple to deliver, with music on
This week’s focus is creativity, which connections: making a meaningful group 52 themes in low, singable keys,
is perfect for Tobin, who has been where people can actually get to know accompanying imagery and a talking
A booming industry, and a new research frontier spectrum of issues,” says the CIHR, making art since she was a schoolgirl. each other week after week.” stick to ensure that everybody has a
“including the potential impacts of When her vision faded, she exchanged Despite the wealth of activities chance to speak. Participants were
Cannabis is big business in Canada. get jobs in the industry, and provide cannabis on driving, pregnancy and her paint brush for a palette knife, offered at residential care homes, surveyed at the outset, and changes are
Last fall, Constellation Brands, the education that trains professionals for childhood health, youth mental health, whose broad strokes are easier to they have a high incidence of social being tracked with questionnaires at
Fortune 500 company that brews careers on the regulatory and financial Indigenous populations, and workplace see. “I see beauty everywhere,” says isolation, loneliness and depression. the halfway point and end of the study.
Corona and produces several wines and side of the business. health and safety, among others.” Tobin. “In flowers, trees, children, One of every two residents report “We’ll see over time if there were any
spirits, purchased 9.9 percent of Smiths In January, the Canadian Institutes The Social Sciences and Humanities grandchildren. This keeps me inspired. being chronically lonely, a feeling that changes in the health, wellbeing and
Falls-based Canopy Growth for $245 of Health Research (CIHR) unveiled Research Council of Canada is also It keeps me busy.” has been linked with intense emotional even in the cognition of residents,” says
million. This collaboration is aimed at a $1.4-million investment in new funding four cannabis-related projects, Far beyond keeping its members suffering, falls and numerous negative Ysseldyk.
creating cannabis-infused drinks, but cannabis research, supporting 14 and last year the New Brunswick busy, the Java Music Club could also health outcomes, which significantly Already, the results seem promising.
forthcoming legalization is also spurring projects intended to improve our Health Research Foundation, in be fostering empathy and deeper increases hospital admission rates “I’m seeing people become more
a wave of research and new programs understanding of the health, social partnership with Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc., connections that can reduce the social and health care costs. New residents interested in other people outside of
at universities and colleges across and economic impacts of cannabis announced a $1-million investment isolation experienced by seniors who have often suffered the recent loss of the actual sessions,” says Oakpark
Canada. These initiatives will investigate legalization and regulation in to create a Health Research Chair in live in retirement homes. That’s the a partner and/or their independence, activity director Miriam Dwyer. “I’m
potential health benefits, teach Canada. “These research projects will Cannabis at the University of New theory being explored by Carleton and could be experiencing some seeing people become more interested
horticultural techniques to help people provide timely evidence on a broad Brunswick. Health Sciences professor Renate degree of cognitive decline. Then they and more caring.”

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