風蕭蕭_Frank
以文會友
施萊格爾-滑鐵盧大學老齡化研究所 (RIA)
總部
250 Laurelwood Drive, Building 4
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J0E2
info@the-ria.ca
519-904-0660
媒體：media@the-ria.ca
https://www.facebook.com/ResearchInstituteforAging
James Schlegel - President and Chief Executive Officer 519-571-1873 ext 107
jschlegel@rbjschlegel.com
Rose Lamb - Senior Vice President of Operations
905-442-5495 *
rose.lamb@schlegelvillages.com
James Schlegel 詹姆斯 施萊格爾
是施萊格爾醫療保健公司（Schlegel Health Care）的總裁兼首席執行官
該公司旗下包括施萊格爾村（Schlegel Villages）和霍姆伍德健康中心（Homewood Health）。
施萊格爾村在安大略省各地開發和運營麵向老年人的連續性護理園區，每個園區都提供長期護理、退休生活、輔助生活、記憶護理和獨立公寓等服務。
霍姆伍德健康中心為加拿大人提供全方位的連續性服務，以滿足他們在心理健康和成癮方麵的各種需求，其中包括享譽全國的霍姆伍德健康中心。
他同時也是RBJ施萊格爾控股公司（RBJ Schlegel Holdings）的首席執行官，該公司除施萊格爾醫療保健公司外，還包括施萊格爾家禽公司（Schlegel Poultry）和施萊格爾城市發展公司（Schlegel Urban Development）。
詹姆斯是老齡化研究所（Research Institute for Aging，RIA）的董事會成員。該研究所由施萊格爾家族於2005年成立，旨在正式確立與滑鐵盧大學和康尼斯托加學院的長期合作關係。
RIA的使命是通過在研究、教育和實踐領域的合作，提升老年人的護理水平和生活質量。
施萊格爾村是研究人員的研發基地，其研究成果不僅應用於村內，還會推廣到更廣泛的領域。這些成果也為課程開發提供信息，以加強安大略省未來醫護人員的培訓。
過去兩年，11個施萊格爾村共啟動了77個研究項目。
詹姆斯還積極參與許多其他社區活動，貢獻自己的時間，包括擔任格蘭德河醫院董事會成員和門諾派經濟發展協會國際理事會成員。
詹姆斯畢業於滑鐵盧大學會計學碩士項目，並於1992年獲得特許會計師（CA）資格。
James is President and CEO of Schlegel Health Care which includes Schlegel Villages and Homewood Health.
Schlegel Villages develops and operates continuum of care campuses for seniors across Ontario which include long-term care, retirement, assisted living, memory care and independent apartments on each site.
Homewood Health offers a full continuum of services to Canadians to meet the broad variety of needs in mental health and addiction and includes the nationally recognized Homewood Health Centre.
He is also the CEO of RBJ Schlegel Holdings which, in addition to Schlegel Health Care, includes Schlegel Poultry and Schlegel Urban Development.
James is Board member of the Research Institute for Aging, set up by the Schlegel family in 2005 to formalize a long standing relationship with the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College.
The mission of the RIA is to enhance care and quality of life for older adults through partnerships in research, education and practice.
Schlegel Villages are R & D sites for researchers, the results of which are applied within the village as well as disseminated to the broader sector. These results also inform curriculum development to enhance the training of future health care workers in Ontario.
Over the last two years there have been 77 research programs initiated at 11 Schlegel Villages.
There are many other community involvements to which James offers his personal time including serving as a Board member for Grand River Hospital and serving on the International Board for Mennonite Economic Development Associates.
James graduated from the Master of Accounting program at the University of Waterloo where he obtained his CA designation in 1992.
滑鐵盧大學承認，我們的大部分工作都在中立者、阿尼什納貝格人和豪德諾索尼人的傳統領土上進行。我們的主校區位於霍爾迪曼德地帶，這片土地被授予六大部落，包括格蘭德河兩岸各六英裏。我們積極致力於在各個校區通過研究、學習、教學和社區建設來實現和解，相關工作由原住民關係辦公室協調開展。
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
我們的辦公室位於老齡化創新卓越中心內。該中心擁有獨一無二的世界級基礎設施，包括團隊成員、研究人員的辦公空間、實驗室、社區活動空間、藥房、基層醫療診所和生活教室。
該中心是安大略省首個專門建造的教學型長期護理院，所有利潤都將捐贈給研究活動。中心是滑鐵盧大學和康尼斯托加學院學習和應用研究項目的所在地，其獨特的設計鼓勵老年人、護理人員、學生、社區成員和研究人員之間的聯係與合作。
我們的曆史
我們成立於2005年，這要歸功於羅恩·施萊格爾博士的慷慨捐助和遠見卓識。他的目標是創建一個機構，推廣以研究為依據的實踐，並促進實踐研究，從而改善老年人的生活質量和護理。點擊此處閱讀完整曆史。
我們的目標是改變加拿大老齡化的方式。
雖然衰老會帶來生理、社交、情感和心理方麵的挑戰，但施萊格爾-滑鐵盧大學老齡化研究所（RIA）看到了創新的契機。我們在五個關鍵領域——癡呆症、文化變革、勞動力發展、基於技術的養老生活以及共同設計科學與實踐的進步——被公認為行業領導者，我們致力於改善養老護理實踐、醫療保健服務、培訓和教育，最終改變加拿大老齡化的方式。
我們擁有一支世界一流的研究團隊，他們利用研究成果開發資源、教育項目和政策。
我們將研究成果應用於實踐，並分享行之有效的經驗。其結果是，世界各地的老年人都能獲得更好的照護，生活質量得到提升。
我們的方法
我們的方法是將研究與現實世界相結合。
研究的影響可能需要數十年才能顯現，但我們獨特的方法能夠使研究成果在現實生活中實時應用。研究問題源於老年人、照護者、醫療專業人員、教育工作者和行業的實際情況和需求。然後，我們與關鍵合作夥伴攜手合作，開發資源、項目以及教育和培訓，以影響實踐和政策。我們尋找真正有效的解決方案，並分享這些方案，造福世界各地的老年人。
致力於公平、多元和包容
RIA 致力於公平、多元和包容。我們認識到，種族主義和歧視過去和現在都導致研究和醫療係統中存在不平等現象，使那些本應享有公平待遇的群體無法獲得應有的權益。RIA 努力提升自身認知，與多元化的合作夥伴建立信任，並創造更安全的對話與合作空間，共同努力提升所有老年人的福祉。
為什麽休閑療法月如此重要——尤其是在我們步入老年之際
2026年2月2日 | 專家建議
凱特·杜普伊斯 | 博士 | 施萊格爾藝術與老齡化創新領導者
休閑療法月旨在強調在老齡化討論中經常被忽視的一點：有意義、有目的的活動對於支持我們的身心健康和社會福祉的重要性，尤其是在我們步入老年之際。
人們對休閑療法的一個常見誤解是，它“隻是遊戲”，或者認為它隻適用於長期護理機構或養老院的居民。事實上，休閑療法不僅僅是“讓自己忙起來”——它指的是參與那些令人愉悅、目標明確、有益於我們整體健康和福祉，並能為我們的生活帶來意義的活動。這些活動可以包括藝術和手工藝、音樂、遊戲、運動、園藝、社交聚會、體育運動或終身學習。
參與的重要性
隨著年齡的增長，我們的日常作息、生活方式、身體和思維都會發生變化。您可能會發現，一天的時間似乎比以往任何時候都多。我們如何利用這些時間以及我們參與的機會都至關重要。參與休閑活動可以：
通過有目的的運動促進身體健康。
通過減輕壓力和焦慮來改善心理健康。
通過解決問題和學習來提升認知功能。
加強社交聯係，對抗孤獨感。
為我們的生活帶來意義和目標感。
做您真正喜歡的事情——無論是繪畫、參加步行小組、玩牌還是做誌願者——都能保持思維活躍，讓每一天都充滿意義。
將休閑療法活動融入生活的技巧
從您喜歡的事情開始。
想想您一直喜歡或想嚐試的活動。享受樂趣是開始和堅持參與的關鍵。
邀請朋友和家人。
加入團體、課程或其他活動。
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
Our Home
250 Laurelwood Drive, Building 4
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J0E2
info@the-ria.ca
519-904-0660
Media contact: media@the-ria.ca
https://www.facebook.com/ResearchInstituteforAging
Our office is located in the Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Aging, a one-of-a-kind, world-class infrastructure that includes space for team members, researchers, labs, community spaces, a pharmacy, primary health clinic, and Living Classroom.
The Centre is Ontario’s first purpose-built teaching long-term care home, where all profit is donated back into research activities. Home to the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College programs for learning and applied research, the Centre’s unique design encourages connection and collaboration between older adults, care partners, students, community members, and researchers.
Our History
We were founded in 2005 thanks to the generosity and vision of Dr. Ron Schlegel. His goal was to create an organization that promotes research-informed practice and facilitates hands-on research to improve the quality of life and care for older adults. Read the full history here.
Our goal is to change the way we age in Canada.
While aging can present physical, social, emotional, and mental challenges, we at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), see an opportunity to innovate. Recognized as leaders in five key areas – dementia, culture change, workforce development, technology-based senior living, and the advancement of science and practice of co-design – we focus on improving care practices, healthcare services, training and education for the senior living sector, and ultimately changing the way we age in Canada.
Our team of world-class researchers use their findings to develop resources, educational programs, and policies.
We take research beyond the lab; we mobilize it and share what works. The result is better care and an enhanced quality of life for older adults everywhere.
Our Approach
Our approach is to connect research to the real world.
The impact of research can take decades to realize but our unique approach enables research to be applied in real-life settings in real-time. Research questions are shaped by the realities and needs of older adults, care partners, health professionals, educators, and industry. Then we work together with key partners to develop resources, programs, and education and training to influence practice and policy. We find solutions that truly work and share them to benefit older adults everywhere.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The RIA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that racism and discrimination have and continue to result in disparities within research and health systems for equity-deserving communities. The RIA strives to educate ourselves, build trust with diverse partners, and create safer spaces for dialogue and collaboration, as we work together to enhance the well-being of all older adults.
Why Recreation Therapy Month Matters — Especially as We Age
Feb 2, 2026 | Advice from Experts
Recreation Therapy Month shines a spotlight on something that often gets overlooked in discussions about the aging journey: the power of meaningful, purposeful activity to support our physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, particularly as we age.
A common misconception about recreation therapy is that it is “just games” or seen as something only for people living in long-term care (LTC) or retirement homes. In reality, recreation therapy isn’t just about “staying busy”—it’s about engaging in activities that are enjoyable, goal-oriented, supportive of our overall health and well-being, and bring meaning to our lives. These activities can include arts and crafts, music, games, movement, gardening, social gatherings, sports, or lifelong learning.
Why Participation Matters
As we age, our routines, lifestyles, bodies, and minds often experience changes. You may find there seem to be a lot more hours to fill in the day than ever before. How we fill that time and the opportunities we engage in matter. Participating in recreational activities can:
- Support physical health through purposeful movement.
- Improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
- Boost cognitive function through problem-solving and learning.
- Strengthen social connections and combat feelings of loneliness.
- Bring feelings of meaning and purpose to our lives.
Doing things you genuinely enjoy—whether that’s painting, joining a walking group, playing cards, or volunteering—keeps the mind active and the days meaningful.
Tips to Incorporate Recreation Therapy Activities Into Your Life
- Start with what you enjoy.
Think about activities you’ve always loved or wanted to try. Enjoyment is key to beginning and maintaining participation. - Invite friends and family.
Join a group, class, or club and invite your friends and family to join you. Participating with others can add accountability and connection. Social interaction is key to brain health and is an important benefit of recreation therapy. - Schedule activities into your day, like you would a meeting or appointment.
Treat recreation opportunities as “not to be missed”, not as an afterthought. - Be open to trying new things.
Your abilities and interests may change over time—and that’s okay. Be willing to try new things. Exploring new opportunities helps support brain health as we age.
