Katherine Willett , A Good Gerontologist To Know Email and Phone Number

Consulting projects with non-profits as follows:

Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a non-profit supported by the Ministry of Health, Patients as Partners initiative. Visit the FCBC website to learn about the work we do across BC to support Family Caregivers to adults who are frail elders, ill, or living with a disability. http://www.fcns-caregiving.org/ The free program features a Virtual Resource Centre Hub that includes a toll-free support line, and education for Family Caregivers and Health Care Professionals. We also work to enhance and accelerate the inclusion of Family Caregivers as partners in care through collaboration with Patients as Partners initiatives including: the Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation (CCMI), CMHA, UVic's Chronic Disease Self Management Program, Patient Voices Network (PVN), UBC's eHealth iCON (InterCultural Online Network) and e-patient initiatives, plus other programs including condition/disease specific organizations, Doctors of BC, Divisions of Family Practice, Health Authorities programs, and the Office of the Seniors Advocate.

Coordinated and wrote 2013-2014 (1st edition), and 2016-2017 (2nd edition - 120 pages), information handbook. Funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland, part-time contract with United Way. See Publications for more details.

Created, marketed/promoted, delivered & evaluated public education presentations for 400 – 600 per year Family & Friend (unpaid) caregivers to the frail elderly. Liaised with community organizations, e.g. Burnaby Board of Trade, Burnaby Hospital, Burnaby Public Library, Burnaby Seniors Interagency Society, City of Burnaby, Fraser Health - Burnaby Home Health, South Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Voices of Burnaby Seniors (the Burnaby Seniors Community Planning Table), and businesses including GBC Law, London Drugs and Vancity. Also MOSAIC and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to offer information in Chinese, Korean, and Punjabi, using interpreter. Organized five annual caregiver information fairs with speakers & information tables. Assisted with budget development & monitoring. Funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland, contracted with Burnaby Seniors Outreach Services Society.

Linking Seniors Services 2014: Working Collaboratively in a Changing Landscape. 4th annual one day event for 97 service providers to senior citizens . Funded by Vancouver Foundation, contracted with South Granville Seniors Centre.

Promoted isolated seniors outreach program to Vancouver Coastal Health staff, apartment building managers, local health service providers (e.g. physicians, physios, pharmacists) and businesses to create awareness and generate referrals. Provided outreach services to isolated seniors in South Granville/False Creek. Recruited seniors as outreach volunteers to provide friendly visiting. Created and delivered volunteer training program re: working with the frail elderly. Funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland, contracted with South Granville Seniors Centre.

Nidus Public Education for Seniors on Personal Planning: Building Community Capacity Project. Worked with E.D. to coordinate training of seniors in Castlegar, Cranbrook, Mission, Penticton, Prince George, Victoria, and Westbank to deliver education to seniors on legal personal planning tools, e.g. Representation Agreements, Enduring Powers of Attorney. Funded by Law Foundation of BC, contracted with Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry.

Provided leadership toward achievement of mission and strategic goals. Developed database listings of BC resources available to improve quality of life of caregivers and their care recipients. Created and executed marketing plan for BC. Planned annual Family & Friends Caregiver Information Fair. Trained office staff and volunteers in how to deliver Information & Referral services. Funded by BC Ministry of Health, contracted with Caregivers Association of BC.

Provided 500 frail elderly and/or mentally ill, and/or substance abusers in a BC Housing complex with improved access to health and other social services. Offered meals and social/recreational supports. Funded by BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health, contracted with West End Seniors Network.

Private consultant to families struggling with eldercare concerns.

Delivered workshops to seniors and community agencies about housing options. Updated Seniors Housing Directory listing of all seniors housing in BC. Maintained database of municipal, provincial, and federal services for seniors. Worked with ‘hard to house’ (homeless or at risk of homelessness) and ‘regular’ clients needing housing information and referral to other community resources.