A walk down memory lane with a purpose

 We need to find ways to make our voices heard, here are some more ideas.

Stay informed about proposed legislation related to senior rights and ageism. Support bills and initiatives that aim to address these issues and urge your elected officials to support them as well. Share information about relevant legislation with your networks to raise awareness and build broader support. Pick up the phone and write to your mayors, MLAs, and MPs. Let them know about the challenges we face in our communities and the support we require. In the community I live, the number of individuals over 50 accounts for 38% of the population, with 16% being over 65. Shockingly, there are 40,000 seniors over 65, outnumbering the 32,000 students attending school. We can be ignored only if our politicians don’t want to be re-elected.

Engage with younger generations to foster understanding and solidarity. Encourage open discussions about ageism, its impact on seniors, and the importance of respecting and valuing older adults. By promoting intergenerational dialogue, we can challenge stereotypes and work towards a more inclusive society.

Seniors over 65 in BC who are not in long-term care or assisted living are required to pay for the NACI-recommended Fluzone High Dose Influenza Vaccine, costing approximately $75 to $90. Meanwhile, provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon Territory provide this vaccine for free. The federal government covers the cost for those in long-term care and assisted living. Why are seniors in BC not receiving the recommended Fluzone High Dose Influenza Vaccine? Instead, they are offered a trivalent Fluad vaccine not recommended by NACI. We must prioritize the health of seniors, keeping them out of hospitals by taking proactive measures.

The high cost of vaccines poses another challenge. Many vulnerable seniors cannot afford the Shingles vaccine (priced at $300) or the Pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 20 (costing approximately $150) to prevent pneumonia. Given that 74% of seniors already have pre-existing chronic conditions that lower their immunity, preventive action by the Ministry of Health would significantly reduce hospital admissions.

Remember when we discussed getting "badass" again? Well, now is the time to act. Reach out to your MLAs and contact your mayors, expressing your concerns and needs. Use this link to identify your MLA: ((leg.bc.ca)). If we don't raise our voices and address our concerns, no one else will. An election is approaching in BC, scheduled on or before October 19, 2024. Parties and candidates will be formulating their platforms and seeking our votes. As seniors, we possess the power to drive change. This is our call to action!

Consider utilizing media platforms to share your perspectives and advocate against ageism. Write op-eds, create blog posts, or contribute articles to local newspapers or online publications. Use storytelling as a powerful tool to raise awareness and challenge negative narratives surrounding aging.

By taking these actions, seniors can make a significant impact in raising awareness about ageism, improving their treatment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and influencing policy decisions. Together, we can work towards a society that values and respects people of all ages, ensuring that seniors receive the support and dignity they deserve.

Let's make a difference and demand the attention, support, and resources we deserve. Together, we can create a better future for all seniors in our communities.

A stroll down memory lane with purpose 1

 My friend Ken is one who wants the best for seniors in our community and he works hard to this end. He and I have different outlooks on this issue, but we agree that seniors need to be heard. In a recent newsletter, Ken started a call for action by recalling how we, as seniors, rebelled in the 1960’s to help better society. Ken is about 10 years younger than I am and so his reflections of the 60’s differs a bit from mine. Here are my thoughts.

Reflecting on the 1960s, it becomes evident that this decade witnessed the emergence of various social movements, such as civil rights activism, opposition to the Vietnam War, feminism, and environmentalism. Additionally, it marked the initial steps towards recognizing gay rights.

The 1960s was a vibrant era characterized by a kaleidoscope of colors, cultural experimentation, and an ethos of love and acceptance. Pop culture underwent a transformation as artistic expression and novel styles flourished. The subdued and conservative atmosphere of the 1950s gave way to bold trends in music, fashion, and film for about 50% of us.

Exploring the educational landscape of the 1960s, it becomes apparent that discipline was enforced with strictness, often resorting to corporal punishment as a means to uphold rules and order. When I started teaching in the 70’s the system I taught in removed the idea of corporal punishment to the dismay of many of my older colleagues.

During the 1960's, protests such as sit-ins, freedom rides, and marches were organized to combat segregation, poverty, and unemployment. Feminists advocated for equal job opportunities and an end to sexual discrimination.

The 1960s represented one of the most confused and contentious decades in Canadian and US history. It was characterized by significant events such as the Civil Rights Protests, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, anti-war demonstrations, countercultural movements, as well as the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy. Furthermore, a generation gap emerged during this time. Racial violence and the Vietnam War further fueled social tensions, and intense debates surrounding abortion exacerbated the nation's divisions.

The 1960s witnessed sweeping movements of all ages, races, and sexual orientation, which demanded justice, and it concluded with the historic achievement of the first human landing on the moon.

Fashion during the 1960s exhibited distinctive elements shared by both men and women. Frayed bell-bottomed jeans, tie-dyed shirts, work shirts, Jesus sandals, and headbands became popular choices among individuals seeking to embrace the prevailing trends.

Parents and educators commonly resorted to spanking or paddling as a form of discipline. This approach aimed to teach children that misbehavior had consequences, ultimately discouraging further misconduct.

From the Beatnik movement of the 1950’s grew one of the most enduring countercultures in history—the Hippie Movement. This decade also witnessed the rise of iconic symbols such as Barbie dolls, Go-go boots, lava lamps, Beatlemania, and mini skirts. Tie-dye clothing became closely associated with the countercultural ethos, and psychedelic patterns gained popularity during the late '60s. The Beatles' album "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" captured the spirit of the burgeoning "Summer of Love."

The nostalgia for this area has some calling for seniors to act as we did during this time and protest. This is an interesting perspective because only about 40% of us actually took part in protests during the sixties.  We need to speak out about the treatment of seniors, and there are many ways to do this without marching and picket lines.