Education

Impacting the Next Generation

The BC Brain Wellness Program has a pillar dedicated to education, specifically student and mentorship. We are proud to introduce the BCBWP to the next generation through these opportunities. Here is how you can get involved.

Dietetics

Nutrition is a key component in maintaining brain health and wellness. Being able to make changes and adhere to those healthy habits is challenging. UBC Dietetics students have conducted nutrition counseling appointments with BCBWP participants. These occurred as pilot projects in 2023 and we continued to offer nutrition counseling appointments conducted by UBC Dietetics students, and supervised by registered dietitian, in January to February 2024. These students will then be presenting some nutritional moments and workshop webinars to BWP participants in March 2024.

Students on placement in the UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic play an integral role in the screening of all BWP exercise participants. The Master of Physical Therapy students conduct intake interviews and assessments with participants to ensure that they are safe to exercise, to assist them with goal setting and to ensure that the are signing up for classes that are appropriate for them. If a participant’s condition changes, the students can assist with reassessments and modifications in exercise program planning.

The power of connecting with people from different generations is often under-recognized in the world we live in today. Current research supports many positive benefits of intergenerational connections on brain wellness, creativity, and mental/physical health for all. By bringing inspiration and creating a deeper understanding between members of the community, intergenerational relationships can serve to bridge perceived age gaps, promote positive age beliefs and empower our community to grow as a whole.  

The BCBWP Intergenerational Storytelling Project and the Living Histories Workshop provide educational opportunities for university students from variety of faculties. Student volunteers are active leaders in developing and delivering the programs, learning valuable program development and communication skills as well as organizational and time management skills. Other student volunteers gain valuable knowledge about aging, health conditions, empathy and communication skills while benefitting from the opportunity to learn life lessons from the seniors they work with. 

Participant recruitment for the fall Intergenerational Storytelling Project will begin late August/early September. The BCBWP newsletter and Blog will feature details on the project and how to apply. The Living Histories Workshops will be open for registration on the BCBWP website with the fall launch.