
The purpose of the CREATE Research Program is to:
- illuminate the contributions of caregivers at all points in the life-span
- examine the impact of caregiving on individuals’ mental and physical well-being
- inform policy and clinical practices to support caregivers.
News
How B.C. paramedics treat heat illness just changed — so why isn’t the public being told?

July 29, 2022. Vancouver is Awesome (Reporter: Stefan Labbé):
While the early signs of hyperthermia, like heat cramps and nausea, call for oral electrolytes and rest in a well-ventilated or shady place, heat exhaustion or heat stroke requires immediate cooling.
Burnaby’s heat response plan is a start, but health and climate experts want more

June 24, 2022. The Burnaby Beacon (Reporter: Curtis Seufer):
In total, Burnaby residents will have access to six cooling centres and open-air stations this summer. And while that doesn’t include shaded areas, misting stations, and other outdoor areas the city has highlighted as spaces to cool off, one health expert said there should be more advertised cooling areas for a city the size of Burnaby.
“The number of cooling centres is totally inadequate for a city of [that] size,” said Jennifer Baumbusch
Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/culturally-specific-day-programs-improve-seniors-mental-health-but-more-are-needed-advocates-say-1.6429808
Flooding, wildfire emergency plans need to better consider seniors, disabled people: B.C. expert

June 21, 2022. The Abbotsford News (Reporter: Sarah O’Leary):
A combination of disability, low mobility and poverty can leave people in dangerous situations, especially during emergencies like wildfires and floods, University of B.C. nursing professor Jennifer Baumbusch told Black Press Media.
Available at: https://www.abbynews.com/news/flooding-wildfire-emergency-plans-need-to-better-consider-seniors-disabled-people-b-c-expert/
Culturally specific day programs improve seniors’ mental health but more are needed, advocates say

April 25, 2022. CBC News (Reporter: Baneet Braich):
Past research has shown that attending adult day programs can help reduce stress, and decrease sleeping problems and home behavioural issues, such as agitation, according to Jennifer Baumbusch, an associate professor of nursing at the University of B.C who is researching day programs.”There are huge health benefits.”
Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/culturally-specific-day-programs-improve-seniors-mental-health-but-more-are-needed-advocates-say-1.6429808
“The unintended consequences of COVID-19 public health measures on health care for children with medical complexities“

“Public health measures implemented in the initial months of the pandemic decreased access to health care services for children with medical complexity. The long-term ramifications of these measures are unknown. Family structure was found to influence decisions to avoid accessing Emergency Department care. Given the volume of services used by these children, paediatric hospital leaders need to take their unique needs into consideration in disaster planning to ensure minimal disruptions in care.”
Baumbusch, J., Lloyd, J. E. V., Lamden-Bennett, S. R., & Ou, C. (2022). The unintended consequences of COVID-19 public health measures on healthcare for children with medical complexity. Child : Care, Health & Development, https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12968
Advocates and researchers say people with disabilities are left out of BC COVID strategy

January 22, 2022. Capital Daily (Reporter: Astra Lincoln): Since the fifth wave has begun, UBC professor and nurse Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch says there has been a shift in tone. “It’s become more explicit that people with disabilities should be responsible for taking care of themselves by isolating, while everybody else can get on with life.”
Available at: https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/people-with-disabilities-bc-covid-strategy
COVID-19: Long-term care restrictions another blow to isolated residents.

January 3, 2022. The Vancouver Sun (Reporter: Denise Ryan): Research examining the impact of B.C.’s essential visitor policy by Jennifer Baumbusch, an associate professor in the school of nursing at UBC, found that “visitation restrictions arising from public health’s pandemic response have unintentionally compromised these familial bonds and access to specialized family care, potentially contributing to further physical and cognitive decline, and distress among residents.”
Available at: https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/i-want-to-die-care-restrictions-another-blow-to-isolated-residents
Webinar panel of speakers: Who cares? Essential care partner do.

The goals of this virtual discussion are to build an understanding of the importance of Essential Care Partners and to consider the lessons learned through this pandemic where the negative impacts as a result of their absence has been clear.
Healthcare Excellence Canada: Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW) (October 25 to October 29, 2021)
BC’s extreme heat here to stay. Critics say government’s plan to deal with it is dangerously weak.

August 25, 2021. The Narwhal (Reporter: Ainslie Cruickshank): BC’s extreme heat here to stay. Critics say government’s plan to deal with it is dangerously weak. Available at: https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-heat-climate-adaptation/
To prepare for future heat waves, classify air conditioners as medical devices, UBC expert says

July 25, 2021. CBC White Coat, Black Art (Host: Brian Goldman and team): “Jennifer Baumbusch, an associate professor at UBC’s school of nursing with expertise in care for older adults, said health authorities’ warnings weren’t urgent enough to convey just how dangerous the heat level was compared to previous heat waves.” Print and radio link available HERE
“Not just how many but who is on shift: The impact of workplace incivility and bullying on care delivery in nursing homes”

Much of the literature examining the staffing–care quality link in long-term care (LTC) homes focuses on staffing ratios; that is, how many staff are on shift. Far less attention is devoted to exploring the impact of staff members’ workplace relationships, or who is on shift.
Cooke, H. A., & Baumbusch, J. (2021).The Gerontologist, 61(4), 563-572. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaa203

CIHR Chair

Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch is the CIHR Chair in Sex and Gender Science with a focus on the Dynamics of Caregiving in an Aging Society (2020 – 2024)
This CIHR Chair focuses on:
a) Sex and gender science research
b) Methodological advances in sex and gender science
c) Capacity building
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