How does architecture affect long-term care?
Guest speaker and retired architect Rudy P. Fiesen will offer perspective from his long career working with communities and organizations to transform long-term care through ethical design. Efforts that improve well-being, support normal living, and community connection for all care partners and residents will be considered.
Presentation will be followed by a reflection from a representative of Schlegel Villages, and time for questions and discussion among attendees.
All are welcome to attend.
Location
Grebel Chapel
Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North, Waterloo
Seating first come, first served. No registration required.
About Rudy Friesen
Rudy Friesen became an architect more than 50 years ago. He admits he never thought he would be passionate about housing and care for older adults until his mother was placed in a care facility. His design firm soon became responsible for designing one of the first long-term care facilities in Canada based on the household model. The positive results in the residents' quality of life demonstrated the need for rethinking the previous institutional/hospital model of architecture.
Since retirement, Rudy Friesen has been researching best practices and leading-edge facilities around the world. He's written numerous articles and op-eds, worked on the national task force for age-friendly housing, and served on two facility boards for older adults. He's taught courses, presented to organizations, communities, conferences, and universities in Canada, the US, and Korea.
Rudy Friesen is based in Nanaimo, BC, on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. He continues to devote time and energy to speaking and writing about transforming long-term care.