Sheridan Centre for Elder Research Hosts the Launch of the LifeTimesTalk App

On May 6, 2014, the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research (SERC) will host a special event to celebrate the launch of LifeTimesTalk, an innovative IOS App designed specifically to engage older adults. The App was developed by LifeTimes Games of Reminiscence Inc., a company which has been a research partner of the Centre for over 2 years.

Media are invited to attend the event.

Date: Tuesday May 6, 2014

Place: Sheridan College. Room E106 (E-wing)
1430 Trafalgar Rd. Oakville

Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

RSVP: Paulina Camino at paulina.camino@sheridancollege.ca or 905-845-9430 ext. 8617

A milestone to celebrate – LifeTimesTalk Launch Event

Dr. Lia Tsotsos, Principal Researcher at SERC, will introduce the project and speak about LifeTimesTalk by addressing its relevance to positive health outcomes for an aging population. Meet the creators of LifeTimesTalk and hear how the LifeTimes sisters, Carol and Mary Jane Mcphee, transformed personal experience with their elderly mother into this engaging, powerful product. Interviews will be available.

LifeTimes Games of Reminiscence and the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research

LifeTimes Games of Reminiscence Inc. and the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research have been working together since early 2012 under a federally funded grant that brings together small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), students and researchers with the goal of working on applied research projects to improve the quality of life of older adults. The 5-year grant, “Aging in Place: Optimizing Health Outcomes through Technology, Design and Social Innovation” is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) Grant Program.

Students from a wide variety of Sheridan programs including the Advertising and Marketing Communications Management, Exercise Science and Health Promotion Applied Degree, Interaction Design and Social Service Work-Gerontology programs have brought their unique expertise and perspectives to applied research projects ranging from usability testing to building a social media strategy for the company. The students have had the opportunity to enrich their own education through exposure to research experience, working with older adults, working with a business “client” and applying their learning and skills in “the real world”. All of these projects have been aimed at helping the company grow their business in ways that are supported by research, and meet the needs of older adults and their families.

A Growing Business

LifeTimes Inc. developed a successful card-based game that can be used as a reminiscence and conversation tool to encourage intergenerational interaction. This version has now been modified for a digital audience, making the reminiscence tool widely available on an individual basis. Excerpted from the newly released website the LifeTimes sisters succinctly define their products by saying, “LifeTimes stimulates memory, enhances feelings of self-worth and personal identity, and provides excellent opportunities for social engagement within peer groups, among friends, or with family members of any age.”

About the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research:

For over ten years, the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research has worked to identify, develop, test and implement innovative strategies that result from applied research conducted at Sheridan to improve the quality of life for older adults and their families.

About Sheridan College:

Sheridan is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions, offering over 100 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. 

For more information please contact:

Paulina Camino
Project Coordinator
Centre for Elder Research
Sheridan College, Oakville, Canada
Email: paulina.camino@sheridancollege.ca
Phone: 905-845-9430 x 8617