The Hallman Lecture Series presents:
Dr.
Leon
Geffen,
University
of
Cape
Town
Cape
Town
South
Africa
Psychosocial peer support programs have been shown to be effective in improving the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.
A novel program, AgeWell, modelled upon an existing HIV support program, Mothers2Mothers, employed older persons as visitors, providing peer-to-peer companionship, to other older adults. AgeWell visitors (AgeWells) were trained to identify potential health issues early, allowing for out-patient assessment and management, keeping people in their homes and out of hospitals and institutions.
Initial outcomes of the study have shown that a peer support program is an effective approach to improve wellbeing of older persons living in disadvantaged communities.
Lecture 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Reception to follow.
Everyone welcome.
RSVP: jkoreck@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 36978
About the speaker
His research interests include cognitive impairment, oral health in older persons, the use of peer support programs to improve wellbeing of older persons, decision support systems to assist in care planning for nursing home residents and improving healthcare delivery services in under resourced areas. He has served as medical director of AgeWell, an innovative project using a psychosocial peer support model to improve wellbeing of older persons in low resource settings. His current research is focused on primary care geriatrics.
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