DIANA ADAMS

• Registered Nurse at North York General Hospital
• BScN University of Toronto (1993)
• MN Athabasca University (2011)
• Gerontology Certification (2012)

Diana Adams has spent 20 years working with the frail elderly and considers addressing their complex needs one of her passions. Currently, Diana works as a Geriatric Emergency Management Nurse at North York General hospital facilitating comprehensive medical care and discharge planning of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. In 2013, Diana was awarded a grant from the North York General Hospital Research and Innovation Fund to study whether Montessori Methods can engage patients with dementia and reduce responsive behaviours within the emergency department setting.

STEVEN BENMOR

• Legal Counsel

Steven Benmor has been certified as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Society of Upper Canada, holds a Masters of Laws degree in Family Law and is an adjunct Professor of Family Law at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

Since his call to the Bar in 1994, Mr. Benmor has held many executive positions in the legal community including:

• Chair of the Board of Directors for Access For Parents and Children in Ontario (Ontario’s largest supervised access center)
• Vice-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association (the voice of the legal profession in Ontario)
• Former Board Member of the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (an interdisciplinary association of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through the resolution of family conflict)
• Former Board Member of the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults)

Mr. Benmor is a member of The Advocates Society, Toronto Lawyers Association and Family Lawyers Association.

Mr. Benmor is also a co-author of “The TASK – The Trusted Advisor’s Survival Kit” (LexisNexis, 2009).

DR. ELLEN BUCHMAN

• Toronto memory clinic

Dr. Ellen Buchman is a family physician who had her own family practice for 28 years. In the last several years, she has concentrated her practice on the care of people with dementia, and mindfulness-based stress reduction programs for their caregivers. She currently practices out of Toronto Memory Program.

I am pleased to help out with the new foundation. In my daily work, I meet so many families who could benefit from this assistance. The care of people with dementia, and their families, is a growing and pressing need.

PC PATRICIA FLEISCHMANN

• Toronto Police: Vulnerable Persons Co-ordinator

In her 27th year with Toronto Police Service, Constable Fleischmann is the Vulnerable Persons Co-ordinator (senior, disability and mental health) Patricia is a founding member of Law Enforcement Agencies Protecting Seniors, an international elder abuse educator for police and non-law enforcement audiences. Patricia is a long-time member of Bringing an Awareness of Safe Senior Issues to the Community, a multi-level, multi-jurisdictional governmental and NGO organization responsible for producing a national safe senior calendar. She currently sits as an advisory member on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Patricia is, also, the author of two chapters in the 2010 e-book Aging, Ageism and Abuse. Finally, she is an active social media for the Toronto Police Service

DR. ASAF GILBOA

• PHD Psychology and Neuroscience (UofT)

Dr. Asaf Gilboa received his M.A. degree in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he studied the neurocognitive effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He received his Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, where he studied the cognitive neuroscience of remote memory. He then pursued postdoctoral studies at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto focusing on prefrontal contributions to memory monitoring and control. Dr. Gilboa was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Haifa University in Israel where he also served as co-director of the Clinical Neuropsychology program. He is currently a Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest and the Centre for Stroke Recovery as well as an Assistant Professor in Psychology at the University of Toronto. He investigates neurological and neuropsychiatric aspects of memory disorders. His research focuses on memory disorders such as amnesia, dementia and confabulation, employing various methodologies (lesion analysis, fMRI, Skin conductance, ERP and MEG) to investigate of the mechanisms underlying these disorders. He has co-authored over 35 articles and book chapters, and has received several awards including the Dusty and Ettie Miller Fellowship for Outstanding Young Scholars and the Donald T. Stuss Award for Research Excellence.

ANNA GRINBERG

• RN, BScN, GNC – Baycrest Hospital

Anna Grinberg is a Registered Nurse in the Community Day Centre for Seniors at Baycrest.

Anna received her Registered Nurse (RN) diploma in 1977.In 2003 she received the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Ryerson University in Toronto.In 2004 Anna received Gerontological Nursing Certificate and in 2008 she received a Certificate in Management and Leadership from Ryerson University.Anna is fluent in 4 languages and has worked as RN for 35 years.Anna worked in Dialysis Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, and Gerontology in various roles.

For the last 24 years Anna has been working at Baycrest. She has an extensive experience in gerontology and an expertise in cognitive impairment and behavioural management.At Baycrest Anna worked in the Acute Care Unit and held the position of Nursing Supervisor . For the last 14 years Anna is working as Nurse Clinician at the Day Centre for seniors.Anna presented at many conferences and co-authored numerous articles that were published in scientific medical journals.

DR. SHERY ZENER

• Member of the Executive of the American Psychiatric Association-Ontario

Member of the Executive of the American Psychiatric Association-Ontario Branch Society since 2005 including the following positions: Membership Committee, Treasurer and President Elect up until 2009; President for 2 years till ’11; Assembly representative for APA; Fellow and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association;

(1) Journal Club member in 2 different clubs;

(2) Member of the Community Psychiatrists of North York since its inception 6 years ago; and

(3) File reviewer and Interviewer for first year medical students acceptance at the University of Toronto on yearly basis since 2006.

Mock orals for psychiatry residents at Baycrest Hospital.

DARA- member (doctors against discrimination and anti-semitism).

The “D” word, short for Dementia, is an illness that can afflict up to 30% or more of our population as it ages. The emotional and psychological costs cannot be estimated for individuals and families but it can’t be ignored and requires specialized attention. The financial burden for all concerned whether it be directly or indirectly through healthcare dollars and tax increases unpredictably affects us all.We can only start to help as we recognize the pain in our hearts, the loss of our loved ones as they fade away from the people they once were and the recognition of the care that needs to be provided for this segment of the population. We can contribute financially to their individualized care.Charity is an absolute dimension of response that many of us should consider in addressing the care of human beings with Dementia.