Schlegel’s commitment to seniors’ care

recognized by Order of Canada

WATERLOO REGION — Ron Schlegel has spent much of his life giving back to the community — a trait he owes his father and the culture of the region he grew up in.

“This area has always had a history of hard work, a history of mutual aid,” he said. “It’s encouraged me to continue working hard.”

Throughout a successful career in both academia and business, Schlegel upheld his philanthropic beliefs to support innovative developments including the Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging.

For his commitment to helping others, Schlegel is receiving national recognition in being named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

The announcement came on Sunday as Governor General David Johnston released the names of the 91 new appointments to the Order.

“It really caught me off guard,” Schlegel said. “This award is the top in Canada, to be recognized in that manner, it really humbles one and makes one, quite frankly, proud to achieve it.”

“I don’t think a person would be able to do what I’m doing if they didn’t have the dual experience of being in the business of seniors care and also having been in the field of university teaching and research,” Schlegel said.
 

Schlegel’s success began in following his passion for improving senior care. He was exposed to the field at an early age when his father ran a nursing home in London, Ont.

“I had various chores to do like carrying trays for breakfast and lunch or running errands for the residents,” he said. “It just became a passion for me. I love seniors, I love working with seniors … they were just a lot of fun to be with.”  

Developing business skills came at an early age as well for Schlegel, who began an agricultural business while he was a student at the University of Western Ontario.Farmers need to have strong business and management skills to be successful and those very skills Schlegel said he acquired from the industry remained a major influence throughout his life.

Schlegel combined his passion and skills to own and operate his first nursing home at the age of 26. That first home would grow to 11 continuum care villages that house approximately 2,500 seniors.

While running seniors’ care facilities, Schlegel also followed his scholarly ambitions, earning a PhD in social psychology and health education at Ohio State University. He returned to the region to work as a professor at the University of Waterloo from 1973 to 1991.

It was Schlegel’s variety of experience from business to senior care that resulted in the idea to develop the Research Institute for Aging, which was established in 2005.

“I don’t think a person would be able to do what I’m doing if they didn’t have the dual experience of being in the business of seniors care and also having been in the field of university teaching and research,” Schlegel said.   The institute incorporates research from the university and its practicing partner Conestoga College with participants through the Schlegel Villages communities to advance care practices for seniors.

To expand opportunities for research, Schlegel is helping fund a centre of excellence will include long-term care facilities, classrooms and labs all on the university campus. The Institute incorporates research from the University of Waterloo and its practicing partner Conestoga College with participants through the Schlegel Villages communities to advance care practices for seniors.

To expand opportunities for research, Schlegel is helping fund a centre of excellence will include long-term care facilities, classrooms and labs all on the university campus.
 
Schlegel said the centre, that began construction this year, will be “the only one in the world that exists” and is his most notable achievement.

Reflecting on his work, Schlegel said the inspiration and ideas that led him to success came from his choice to follow his true passion.

“If you don’t have a passion for something, a passion for continuous innovation, then that person is in the wrong field,” Schlegel said.

lgivetash@therecord.com

Mathew McCarthy/Record staff

http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/862084--schlegel-s-commitment-to-seniors-care-recognized-by-order-of-canada

Article and photos reprinted with permission from The Kitchener Waterloo Record December 30, 2012