Changing the way we view aging
Pat Spadafora
GETTING TO KNOW ME
Welcome to Kaleidoscope Consulting!
My name is Pat Spadafora and I am the proud wife of the most supportive husband ever. I am also the mother of three adult children who inspire me daily with their work ethic, compassion and creativity. Nothing is more important to me than my family. They are my ‘why’. I love to travel, hike, read, participate in Zumba exercise/dance classes and give back to my community by volunteering. I am committed to personal growth and development and to lifelong learning, striving to be the best version of myself so I can give my best to others.
I also love to work!. My career has focused on social work, post-secondary education and applied research. From 1999-2017, I was dedicated to creating, launching and building a comprehensive program of applied research at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. The overarching goal of the research was, and continues to be, enhancing the quality of life of older adults, their families and our communities.
Through Kaleidscope Consulting, established in 2018, I have had a wonderful opportunity to translate knowledge and experience gained over many years into presentations, workshops and consulting.
As my consulting work has evolved, you will see, as reflected in new images on my website, a more explicit focus on diversity and multigenerational thinking. Feel free to ask me why!!
Honestly, I don't plan to ever stop working - what could be more rewarding than the opportunity to encourage others to view aging across the lifecourse through a new lens!
To learn more about my formal background, please click here.
Working with Pat
‘In 1999, Pat saw what no one else saw: a clear need for a college-based research centre focused on population aging and older persons. She brought it to life through her leadership, dedication and ability to bring people together in support of her goal. Pat has intricate knowledge of Canada's older population—and no one can match her insight into their potential to remain active contributors to Canada’s economic and social fabric.’
Sheldon Levy
CEO
NEXT Canada
‘Over the past fifteen years I have had the immense pleasure of having Pat coach and mentor me as I continue on my career path to improve the quality of life and services for older adults. Pat has an outstanding ability to look at concepts and bring them to life. Pat is an outstanding woman with so many accomplishments and skills. I am extremely grateful to have her support me in my journey and could not have achieved what I have without her.’
Marianne Klein
Long Term Care
Home Administrator
Dr. Margaret Denton
Vice-President
Hamilton Council on Aging
Professor Emeritus
McMaster University
‘As Vice President of the Hamilton Council on Aging, I have enjoyed working with Pat over the past two years on both the Hamilton Social Isolation Impact Plan (HSSIP) and now on developing the second Age Friendly Plan for Hamilton. Pat stepped in to guide the completion of HSIIP when Employment and Skills Development Canada offered us an 8-month extension on the grant. She put together a very informative resource package that is currently being used by many other projects working to improve social inclusion in their communities and piloted an intergenerational project on “Do You Know Your Neighbour”. Currently she is working with the Hamilton Age Friendly Collaborative Governance Committee to consult with stakeholders and develop recommendations for our second Age Friendly Plan. I have found Pat to be an innovative thinker, always ready to offer new ideas and suggestions to move the work forward. Her writing and speaking skills are superb. She works efficiently and in a timely manner. But most important of all are her interpersonal skills; she is able to work with and relate to people from many diverse backgrounds.
‘Pat has been a leader in Canada, encouraging innovative thought on the inclusion of our older population as a vital part of our social fabric and within their communities. A future thinker, she understands the impact of an aging demographic and how this information can be used to shape new workplace initiatives, effective age-friendly communities, leading technology developments, new business opportunities, and meaningful creative programs that encourage a new look at aging. An aging demographic does not just mean more older people but an increasingly diverse population of older adults who do not respond in a homogeneous fashion. We are now all blessed to have access to Pat’s knowledge and passion for our own dreams – ensuring that they meet the same success as the many initiatives undertaken when she was at Sheridan.’
