Empowering seniors: Navigating Life’s Later Years in New Brunswick

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Empowering seniors: Navigating Life’s Later Years in New Brunswick

From the Springboard Content Lab 

For St. Thomas University (STU) researcher Michelle Lafrance, developing the guide for aging in New Brunswick guide was personal. 

Shortly after she began working on the project to help New Brunswickers navigate the healthcare and homecare system, her own father was diagnosed with dementia. 

Suddenly, the project was very real for Lafrance and her team of researchers. 

Opening pathways to information 

“Aging in New Brunswick: A User’s Guide,” is a comprehensive resource designed to assist older adults and their caregivers in navigating the intricate healthcare system of New Brunswick.  

Led by Lafrance in conjunction with collaborators at Universite de Moncton (UdM) and University of New Brunswick (UNB), the guide addresses the province’s aging population’s needs by providing clear and accessible information on services, forms, and resources. 

The guide was put together by researchers and practitioners in New Brunswick who work with older adults. Our aim was to help older adults in New Brunswick navigate the complex landscape of information, services, forms, and resources. There is no one-stop shop for services and healthcare issues for seniors in the province. This is our team’s attempt at putting the information all in one place.

Dr. Michelle Lafrance,
Professor of Psychology, St. Thomas University

Simplifying and streamlining healthcare for seniors 

For the aging population, the guide simplifies the complex array of healthcare options, making it easier for them to understand and access the necessary services.  

This is particularly valuable in a province where the healthcare system is facing challenges such as underfunding and staffing shortages.  

By streamlining the process of finding information, the guide reduces the administrative load on healthcare providers, allowing them to focus more on patient care rather than fielding basic inquiries. 

The positive feedback from users and healthcare workers across New Brunswick attests to the guide’s effectiveness. It has become an essential tool for many, helping to alleviate some of the stress associated with aging and healthcare navigation. The guide’s ongoing demand highlights its relevance and the critical role it plays in supporting the well-being of New Brunswickers as they age. 

Support from STU and Springboard 

The project received assistance from the STU Office of Research Services and the STU Springboard Industry Engagement Professional who guided on industry engagement and collaborating with  UdM and UNB.

The project also received support from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), New Brunswick Health Research Federation (NBHRF), New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network (NBSPRN) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). 

Read more about Aging in New Brunswick guide:

Springboard Atlantic is a network of 19 colleges and universities specializing in research commercialization and industry-led research in Atlantic Canada. It is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency , Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and member institutions