HMB395Y0: Living with Dementia: Innovations in Dementia Care and the Determinants of Well-being
The course explores in depth the multi-disciplinary aspects of dementia, including neurobiology, cognition, living with dementia, caregiving and societal aspects of dementia care, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease. Caring for the aged, especially those with dementia, is an increasingly critical global health issue. Innovations in elderly care, including aging at home, community living and communal living such as long-term care are critically needed. The course will be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, renowned for its innovative approaches to elderly care. New models such as The Hogewyk (Dementia Village long-term care facility), the many “Care Farms” that provide residences or day programs for seniors with dementia and the growing number of inter intergenerational housing initiatives promote quality of life, social connection, and better health. We will explore these models in the context of physical, cognitive and social health. Students will learn about innovative opportunities for the elderly to age with grace and dignity while maintaining social connections that promote health and well being.
Prerequisites: Completion of 9.0 credits OR per instructor’s discretion as to whether course prerequisites may be waived. No exceptions to this rule will be made. Please note that a waiver does not guarantee a seat in a course but only the opportunity to be considered for the course.
Breadth Requirement = Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Field Trips
Coming soon.
Instructor
Professor Franco Taverna
Human Biology Program, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science
Institute for Life Course and Aging
Professor Taverna is widely recognized as a leader in experiential learning. He has designed popular experiential
learning courses that help students connect their classroom learning to the lived experience of community
members. Students in his Health in Community course become immersed within communities and collaborate
with community organizations, Down Syndrome Association of Toronto, and The Alzheimer Society of Toronto to
meet community informed needs that support health and well-being. Students in his Dementia course explore in
depth the multi-disciplinary aspects of dementia, including neurobiology, cognition, living with dementia,
caregiving and societal aspects of dementia care, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease. In that course,
students visit long-term care facilities to become friends with residents for social connection and learning
opportunities. He also developed an international course module excursion to The Netherlands for students to
visit and learn about innovative long-term care models such as The Hogeweyk, the internationally acclaimed
'Dementia Village' — which inspired this summer abroad course. He is currently the Faculty of Arts & Science's
Special Advisor to the Dean for Experiential Learning and has served as a Faculty Advisor for the University's
Centre for Community Partnerships.
Professor Taverna's commitment to community and the student experience extends beyond the classroom. In
2021, he co-founded Companion Link (www.CompanionLink.org), a charity dedicated to reducing social isolation
in seniors by fostering intergenerational friendships. CompanionLink was inspired by the work of students in his
HMB440 Dementia course, who established the Student Association for Geriatric Empowerment. Together, these
initiatives aim to build valuable opportunities for students and raise awareness of the correlation between social
connection and health in an aging Canada. Through his teaching and community organization work, Professor
Taverna has provided a conduit for the university to make a difference in the community, while providing authentic
learning opportunities and unique perspectives for our future community and healthcare leaders.
Professor Raza Mirza
Public Health Studies, Faculty of Arts and Science; Translational Research Program, Faculty of Medicine; Institute for Life Course and Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Professor Mirza brings extensive expertise in health policy, aging, and dementia care to this course. With 20+
years of teaching experience at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, he specializes in
intergenerational learning and the social determinants of health and care for older adults. His academic work
focuses on caregiving, social isolation, and the lived experiences of persons with dementia and their families. As
Chief Operating Officer of HelpAge Canada, Professor Mirza leads national initiatives to improve the lives of older
adults through community-based seniors' services and policy advocacy. His dual role as educator and
organizational leader provides students with unique insights into both the theoretical foundations and practical
implementation of innovative aging programs.
Professor Mirza's research and teaching emphasize human-centered approaches to aging and dementia care. He
has contributed to studies and implementation projects related to homeshareing (Canada HomeShare) and on
Men's Sheds in Canada, accessibility for individuals with cognitive disabilities, and innovative models of
community-based care. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical policy and practice development,
helping students understand the intersection of individual well-being, caregiver experiences, and systems-level
change. Through his involvement in international research collaborations and his leadership in national aging
organizations, Professor Mirza connects students to global conversations about reimagining dementia care and
creating age-friendly communities that honor dignity, autonomy, and quality of life for all older adults. His
expertise in policy analysis, program evaluation, and organizational development enriches the course by
demonstrating how evidence-based innovations can be translated into sustainable systems change.