NICE Learning Series

Joanne Cheng-Tandoc is an internationally trained dementia care professional with extensive experience in clinical, research and education settings. Her passion for supporting the plight of those affected by dementia began in the Philippines where she helped establish one of the first memory clinics and was instrumental in increasing dementia awareness in the country. She continues to educate families, healthcare professionals and communities on various topics related to wellness, mental health and dementia care and she currently coaches individuals on reducing their dementia risk by pursuing healthier lifestyles. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Development Psychology and is working on completing a second Master’s in Applied Neuroscience.

Dr. Adriana Shnall, PhD, MSW, RSW, is the Program Director of the Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving at Baycrest. Prior to that, she was the Program Director of Baycrest@Home, Clinical Programs. As part of her portfolio, she led the Seniors Counselling and Referral and Senior Support Programs. She was also the Manager and Professional Practice Chief for Social Work at Baycrest. Adriana has over 30 years of clinical experience working with older adults and their families including outpatient community services, long-term care and inpatient services. She was the recipient of the Baycrest Outstanding Innovations award. Adriana has an academic appointment with the Faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor and teaches at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and at the Institute for the Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto. Adriana is the Chair of the Caregiving Committee for the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) and is a member of the Ontario Caregiver Coalition and the Toronto Caregiver Coalition. Adriana integrates clinical practice, education, research and leadership experience to support healthcare providers and caregivers enrich their own quality of life and those they care for.

I am a member of the Senior Pride Network (Toronto), a program for seniors at the 519 Community Centre and I am presently on SPN's Education Committee. I am a past member of the National Seniors Advisory Council to Egale Human Rights Trust. NSAC is a group of 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors and allies from across Canada working to improve the quality of life of Queer seniors in Canada by advising Egale on Seniors' issues and activities, fostering nation-wide partnerships and collaboration, identifying opportunities for Egale to support the work of local organizations across Canada. Through SPN and NSAC I have co-developed and co-presented workshops to those who work with or advocate for the rights of senior members of our communities in long-term care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, medical centres, social worker students at the U of T, etc. I have also been involved in LTC as a Home Advisory Council member and I assisted in the organizing of Gender and Sexuality Alliances at True Davidson and Rekai LTC home in Toronto. Before I retired, I was a high school educator involved in developing social justice courses for my school board. As a Guidance Counselor, I worked with other teachers in developing and providing anti-homophobia education workshops for students, staff and administrators. I am 79 and married to my husband, Peter. This year we will be celebrating our 44th anniversary.