On September 29th, more than 80 community members gathered at the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre in Toronto’s downtown East for the latest installment of Snacks & Science, a lecture series designed to connect older adults with research, conversation, and community. The program “Understanding Swallowing: How it works and what happens when it doesn’t”, invited participants to learn more about how swallowing works, what happens when it doesn’t, and the importance of recognizing early warning signs.
Presenters Dr. Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, speech-language pathologist and Associate Professor in McMaster University’s School of Rehabilitation Science, and Paige DiStefano, speech-language pathologist and doctoral trainee in Dr. Namasivaym-MacDonald’s Aging Swallow Research Lab , guided the audience through an exploration of dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that can impact health, safety, and quality of life.
Dr. Namasivayam-MacDonald’s research focuses on improving care and quality of life for older adults with swallowing difficulties, particularly those living with dementia. Paige brings clinical experience and research expertise on how swallowing challenges intersect with dementia and caregiving, highlighting the importance of person-centered and accessible swallowing care. Together, their talk covered the mechanics of swallowing, common symptoms, complications that can arise, and strategies that caregivers and families can use to provide support.
Following the presentation, community members had the opportunity to ask some of their most pressing questions, share experiences, and enjoy a meal together. Snacks & Science continues to serve as a space where older adults and researchers can engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange knowledge, and work collaboratively to improve health and well-being across the lifespan.
On behalf of MIRA | Dixon Hall, we would like to thank all attendees and our presenters for another successful Snacks & Science event!
We invite you to join us for the next Snacks & Science event on November 26, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Dixon Hall’s Parish Hall. Dr. Anthony Levinson, psychiatrist and expert in health education technology at McMaster University will be giving a talk on understanding anxiety and depression in older adults.
