Inspired by her personal experience with her father in long-term care, Lisa is a dedicated volunteer to the continuous quality improvement of resident experience in long-term care (LTC). Providing all residents with a voice, elevated through resident and/or family councils, Lisa strives to ensure the growth and sustainability of councils in every LTC home throughout BC.

Building relationships in long-term care is essential for effective Family Councils. With the communication tools that ILTCCABC shares with families, conversations can focus on their common ground: the residents. Family Councils contribute to the recognition of what is working well and with over 15 years in hospitality management and over 25 years in the legal industry as a Firm Administrator, Lisa has shifted her energies and skills into the Long-Term Care (LTC) space, specifically, the advocacy for quality of life and quality of care of its residents.

Robyn has a post-secondary education in communications, marketing, and broadcast journalism, as well as a University Degree in Music. Her career began in corporate communications before she embarked on an international performance career that provided opportunity to grow, not only as an artist and performer, but also as a communications specialist with skills in project planning, marketing, public and media relations.

In 2015, wanting to stay local and support her parents in their senior years, she shifted her work from international performance to become the Executive Director of the Vancouver & District Dental Society. Her role in this “one woman office” further expanded her skills to manage the: 1) Administration, 2) Board Meetings, 3) Budget, 4) CE Conferences, 5) Travel Events, 6) Membership, 7) Speakers, 8) Sponsorship, 9) Marketing: Website, E News and Social Media.

Robyn’s journey as a family caregiver for her parents began in 2015, navigating the health care systems within Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health. As an engaged family member and regular host of Sunday’s Singspiration Sing-a-long at her parents’ care home since 2017, her lived experience includes providing daily support alongside the care team, and as well, being a volunteer alongside the recreation staff. This lived experience has provided her with a broad insight of daily life in one care home in VCH, with a deepened understanding of the resident, family, management and staff perspectives.

As Chair of the Windermere Care Centre Family Council, as Vice-Chair of VCAFC and as Vice-President for ILTCCABC, Robyn enjoys being engaged at all three levels. Specifically at the provincial level, she looks forward to participating in initiatives where her skillset can add value, with interest in: 1) building awareness of the Family Council movement; 2) advocating on systemic issues.

Robyn is passionate about advocating for LTC residents. She fully embraces the ILTCCABC meaningful vision of “Quality of Life Person-Centered Care” for people living in LTC and is inspired by the Family Council movement: a united bright light of hope for positive change!

Contact: vicepresident.iltccabc@gmail.com

I am currently serving as the Member at Large on the Summerland Seniors Village Family Council. I have been involved with Summerland Seniors Village (SSV) since my parents became assisted living residents in 2016/2017.

When the world was hit with the covid pandemic in early 2020, I focussed more broadly on the general well being of Seniors and advocated strongly with Interior Health, the BC Ministry of Health and local politicians for appropriate protective measures and visitation protocols whilst still allowing humane and compassionate treatment of our increasingly isolated Seniors in LTC.