Greg Wells Ph.D.
Dr. Wells completed his Ph.D. at the University of Windsor in 2001 and has expertise in the areas of Human Development, Disability and Cognitive Aging. He teaches intermediate and senior level courses in Child Development, Adolescence, and Adulthood and Aging. He has served as Principal Investigator on a number of applied research initiatives. Recent and ongoing projects have focused on applied issues in aging; dementia; disability; continuing care; child and adolescent well-being; speech-language pathology; and workplace stress. Collaborative Partners have included Early Onset Dementia Alberta, Children’s Rehabilitative Services; Red Deer Public School Board; Alberta Health Services; Alberta Rural Development Network; Bethany Care Society, The Office of the Public Guardian, Seniors and Community Supports (PDD program), and Red Deer College Childcare. He currently serves as Chair of the Applied Research Sub-Committee for the Bethany Care/Red Deer College Collaborative Council and previously served as Head of Psychology (CPC Head) and as Chair of the Red Deer College Research Ethics Board. He has supervised a number of fourth-year student research projects, most connected to the above projects, all of which have been presented at student academic conferences and several of which have been submitted for publication or are in preparation for same. He is a member of the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre and served two terms on the Board of Directors of this organization. He has also been involved with a number of local community organizations in the context of Community Service Learning initiatives where student learning takes place in the context of volunteer opportunities. He is a strong advocate of intergenerational initiatives such as these which in addition to offering potential benefits to students and to the community, help to dispel stereotypes.
Ph.D. (Psychology), University of Windsor
M.A. (Psychology), University of Windsor
B.A. (Psychology), University of Calgary
Child Development, Adolescence, Adulthood and Aging, Interprofessional Gerontology, Dementia
Selected Publications
2015 Piecowye, S., Gibson, D., Carscadden, J., Ueland, K., Wells, G, & Oddie, S. Process Improvements and Enhancing Parent and Therapist Satisfaction through a Coordinated Intake Approach. Patient Experience Journal
2010 Carscadden, J., Corsiatto, P., Ericson, L., Illchuk, R., Esopenko, C., Fenton, E., Wells,G., & Oddie, S. (2010). Early Screening for Speech and language Delays. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.* received Editor’sAward; Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists: April, 2011
2009 Wells, G., Oddie, S., Egg, J., Trotter, V., Service, A, Cardwell, H., Mundell, K., MacKenzie, P., Smibert, D., & Bederlof, D. Supports and Barriers to Independent Living and Mental Wellness in Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. Commissioned Report, Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program.
2008 Wells, G., & Esopenko, C. Memory self-efficacy, aging, and memory performance: The roles of effort and persistence. Educational Gerontology, 34, 520-530.
Conference Presentations
2016 Wells. Enhancing Student Learning about Dementia through Community Service Learning Opportunities. Early Onset Dementia Alberta Annual Conference.
2013 Wells, G., & Tees, H. Assessment of an Interprofessional Aging Course: Impact on Knowledge and Attitudes toward Aging and Interprofessional Learning. Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association Annual Conference.
2012 Wells, G., & Tees, H. Healthy Aging - Explored Through an Interprofessional Approach. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Interprofessional Health Research Conference (Abstract published).
2011 Wells, G., & DeClerck, D. Technology and Independent Living: Strategies for Success. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Interprofessional Health Research Conference (Abstract published) Wells, G., & DeClerck, D. Enhancing Independence for Rural Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. Paper presented at the Creating Rural Connections Event (ARDN) (Abstract published).
2010 Uttl, B., Smibert, D., Morin, A., & Wells, G. Science, missing data, secrecy, and public policy: What is ethical?. Poster presented at CSBBCS (Halifax).
2009 Wells, G., & Mundell, K. Evaluation of a Program Designed to Enhance Quality of Life in Young Adults in Continuing Care. Paper presented at the 5th Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).
2008 Wells, G,. Conroy, S., & MacKenzie, P. Comparing Stress and Burnout for Rural and Urban Continuing Care Providers. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).MacKenzie, P. & Wells, G. The Effectiveness of an Intervention Designed to Enhance Perceived Self-Efficacy in Continuing Care Providers. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).
2007 Wells, G,. & Nicholson, M. Predictors of Stress in the Continuing Care Workplace. Paper presented at the Thirteenth Annual Dreambuilders Education Conference (Abstract Published).Nicholson, M., & Wells, G. The Role of Perceived Self-efficacy in Predicting Stress Levels in Professional Care Providers of Individuals in Continuing Care. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).
2006 Wells, G., Bussierre, J., & MacDonald, K. The Impacts of an Intergenerational Program on Adults in Continuing Care and on Children’s Attitudes Toward Aging. Paper presented at the Twelfth Annual Dreambuilders Education Conference (Abstract Published). Carscadden, J., Corsiatto, P., Ericson, L., Illchuk, R., Esopenko, C., Fenton, E., Wells,G., & Oddie, S. Early Speech Language Intervention: A Pilot Study of a Screening Process for Identifying Speech/Language Delays. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).
2005 Esopenko, C. & Wells, G. (2005). Memory Self-efficacy, Aging, and Memory Performance: The Roles of Effort and Persistence. Poster presented at the 2nd Annual Nursing and Health Practices Conference (Abstract published).
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors – Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre
- Organizing Committee and Master of Ceremonies – Early Onset Dementia Alberta Conference, 2016
- Steering Committee – Bethany CollegeSide Young Adult Unit
- Workplace Stress Reduction Workshops for Professional Care Providers
- Dementia and Intellectual Disability. Presentation to the Parkland Community Living and Support Services.
- Children and Adolescents Experiencing Anxiety Disorders: Unique Considerations. Lecture presented at the invitation of Worriers & Warriors Parent Support Group.
- Applied Research in Long-term Care. Lecture presented to a Norwegian Health Care delegation at the invitation of Bethany CollegeSide
- Supports and Barriers to Independent Living and Mental Wellness in Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. Report presented at the Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program: Collaborative Research Grant Consultation Session.
- Enhancing Independence Through Assistive Technology: Potential Benefits of Mobile Device Applications for Persons with Disabilities. Presentation to the PDD Central Zone Board of Directors.
- Older Individuals’ Beliefs Concerning Aging Stereotypes. Invited speaker for the Minerva Seniors Studies Institute
- CBC radio interview. Topic: Reactions of the elderly to memory and aging stereotypes
Current Research
Ongoing research investigating Family Caregiver experiences with Early Onset Dementia.
Professional and/or RDP Leadership – include any College leadership activities, which may include but is not limited to:
- Member, RDC-CollegeSide Collaborative Council (Steering committee) (2012-Present)
- Chair, RDC-CollegeSide Applied Research Committee (2013-Present)
- AGORA student conference – Organizing Committee (2015-Present)
- Member, CPC Discipline Heads Group (2011-2016)
- Head, Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) – Psychology (2011-2016)
- Chair, Research Ethics Board (2005-2010)
- Member, Research Ethics Board (2004-2012)
- Chair, CollegeSide Evidence Based-Development Subcommittee (2007-2011)
- Co-chair, Perspectives Speaker Series Committee (2007-2013)
- Member, Perspectives Speaker Series Committee (2004-2013)
- Member, Nursing and Health Practices Conference Committee (2006-2008)
- Member, BA Student Conference Committee (2004-2005)
- Faculty Representative, Library Acquisitions (2003-2004)
- Member, Voice Mail Activation Committee (2001-2002)
- Team Member, Inter-professional Education Initiative – developed an inter- professional course on aging, involving Nursing, Business and Humanities and Social Sciences departments to be offered in Spring 2012.
- Received a Group Opportunities Grant to attend a certificate course in Inter-professional Education at the University of Toronto in June 2009
- Red Deer College Professional Development Presentations: Applied Research at RDC; RDC Research Ethics Policy; Experiences in Interprofessional Teaching and Learning.
- Presenter, 2017 Psyc Society Symposium on Consumerism
- Moderator, Agora Student Conference
- Judge, Student Writer Awards
- MC, What can you do with a BA Session
- Reviewer, Journal of School Violence
- Assisted with Development of an updated “web-portal” for on-line course delivery (St. Clair College)
Student Research Supervision
Topics have included:
- Early Onset Dementia – Perspectives of Family Caregivers, Students, Professional Careproviders
- Effectiveness of a School-Based Bullying Prevention Program
- Subjective Quality of Life Among Continuing Care Residents of a Dedicated Young Adult Unit
- Enhancing Parent and Therapist Satisfaction through a Coordinated Intake Approach
- The Impact of a Dementia Simulation Experience on Student and Careprovider Attitudes Toward Dementia
- Psychosocial Benefits of Mobile Device Applications for Persons with Development Disabilities
- The Effectiveness of a GPS-based Tactile Belt in Enhancing Wayfinding Ability in Persons with Dementia
- The Effectiveness of a Mentoring Program in Enhancing Well-being in Grade 5 Boys
- The Role of Assistive Technology in Enhancing Self-determination in Seniors and Persons with Disability (3 student projects)
- Students Nurses’ Career Interests and Attitudes toward Aging
- Quality of Life Indicators for Young Adults Residing in Continuing Care
- The Impact of an Intergenerational Program on Preschool Children’s Prosocial Behaviour and Attitudes toward Aging
- Stress in the Continuing Care Workplace: A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Stressors.
- The Effectiveness of an Intervention Designed to Enhance Perceived Self-Efficacy in Professional Continuing Care Providers.
- The Role of Perceived Self-efficacy in Predicting Stress Levels in Continuing Care
- The Impact of an Intergenerational Program on School Age Children’s Attitudes toward Aging and Cognitive Impairment
- The Impact of an Intergenerational Program on Adults in Continuing Care
- Early Screening for Speech and language Delays
- Memory Self-efficacy, Aging, and Memory Performance: The Roles of Effort and Persistence.