Communicationn best practices for ageism awareness.

Use Language That Is Inclusive and Free of Age Bias

 Words carry powerful associations. When discussing older individuals, opt for terms like "older person" or "older adult" instead of terms like "senior citizen" or "elderly," which can perpetuate negative stereotypes. For example, replacing "aging dependents" with more neutral terms like "older individuals" promotes inclusivity.

Avoid: "Seniors," "elderly," "aging dependents," and "the aged."

Advance:  "Drivers ages 50 to 65" or "drivers ages 75 and older."

Example:

"This study describes characteristics in a sample of African American women, 75 to 95 years of age, diagnosed with arthritis."

Talk Affirmatively About Changing Demographics

Emphasize the positive aspects of increased life expectancy. Instead of using terms like "silver tsunami" or "graying of the population," highlight opportunities for intergenerational exchanges and contributions from older individuals. For instance, phrase demographic changes as "Americans living longer and healthier lives."

Avoid: "Age wave," "silver tsunami," and "graying of the population."

Advance:   "While Americans live longer and healthier lives."

Examples: 

"With changing demographics come more opportunities for older people to contribute to our communities."

"The increasing number of older people means more possibilities for intergenerational exchanges."

Emphasize Collective Responsibility and Social Context

Challenge the notion that aging outcomes are solely the result of individual choices. Instead, underscore the interconnectedness of individuals and advocate for collective actions and policy-level solutions to improve the lives of all as they age. For example, avoid terms like "choice" and "control" and replace them with ideas about collective responsibility.

Avoid:  "Choice," "planning," and "control."

Advance: "Let’s find creative solutions to ensure we can all thrive as we age."

Examples:

"To build a more just society, we need to take steps to prevent social isolation of any group, including older people."

"If we want to live up to our ideal of a just society, then that means taking steps to make sure all individuals, no matter their age, are treated as equal members of our communities."

Talk About Aging as a Dynamic Process That Can Benefit Society

Frame aging as a continuous process of growth and change, emphasizing the positive aspects of accumulated wisdom and experiences. Avoid conflict-oriented words like "struggle" and "battle." Instead, highlight aging as a dynamic process that brings new aspirations and abilities.

Avoid: "Struggle," "battle," and similar terms.

Advance: "Aging is a dynamic process that leads to new aspirations, abilities, and knowledge that older people can share."

Examples: 

"As we age, we accumulate wisdom, insights, and rich experiences."

"Our communities are better when they include the full scope of our energy, including the contributions of older people."

Always Define Ageism When You Use the Term

Ensure clarity by defining ageism whenever the term is used. Provide concrete examples to help people understand the impact of ageism on health and society. For instance, avoid using the word ageism without explaining its meaning.

Avoid: Using the word ageism without explanation.

Advance: Define ageism and provide an example.

Examples:

"Ageism is discrimination against older people due to negative and inaccurate stereotypes, and it has a significant impact on health."

"Ageism (discrimination based on age) affects three out of five workers, according to AARP."

Include Concrete, Systems-Level Solutions

Offer tangible solutions to combat fatalism and promote the idea that issues related to aging can be addressed. Provide examples of programs and policies that support a thriving aging society. Avoid generic appeals to "do something" without offering specific solutions.

Avoid Generic appeals without concrete solutions.

Advance: "Intergenerational community centers help turn the experiences and wisdom older people have accrued over a lifetime into a resource that helps power our neighborhoods."

Examples:

"Employers should review their hiring practices to avoid discriminating against applicants based on age."

"To build a more just society, we need to take steps to prevent social isolation of any group, including older people."

Incorporate the Concepts of Justice and Ingenuity

Introduce the concepts of "justice" and "ingenuity" to foster a more complete and accurate understanding of aging. Shift the narrative from "Us versus Them" to emphasize aging as an opportunity and the need for systemic solutions.

Avoid:  Starting communication with less effective messaging.

Advance: Start communication with justice or ingenuity.

Examples:

"As our population ages, we can tap into the innovation and can-do attitude that Americans are known for to address the challenges that come with this changing demographic."

"As a society that values justice, we should strive to ensure that everyone has access to the services they need in the settings they choose."

Thanks to Reframing Ageism for the ideas for more ideas go to https://www.reframingaging.org/ 

Becoming 75

There are many people this year who are turning 75 and there are many who fear turning that age. There are milestone birthdays that we have as we grow. We celebrate our coming of age, which for me was 21 but for younger people today it is 19.  We celebrate birthday milestones by the decade once we hit 30. "Don't trust anyone over 30" was a saying when I was in my 20s'. Once I turned 30, the next milestone to celebrate was turning 40. After 40 and the fear of middle age, 50 loomed on the horizon. Once we hit 50 we look forward to being 60 and for many moving closer to retirement. 

A subtle change in how we celebrate milestone birthdays occurs when we hit 60.  Instead of the next milestone being 70 we have a big celebration at 65. This is, for some the beginning of their retirement. Once we celebrate 70 we celebrate 75, then 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100. As a society, and as individuals we shorten the gap between milestone birthday celebrations. It could be that we are afraid that the person we are celebrating will not make it over the next 10 years so we shorten the time to 5 years. 

This is for all of those who are not yet 75 but hope to make it to this milestone, from a post by Lauren Dalton. Imagine being 75 and you’re sat thinking about your life and how you never went swimming in the sea on a warm night because your thighs jiggled. Imagine realizing you never laughed until you couldn’t breathe because your teeth weren’t straight or white enough. You never embraced the sun on the beach because of the stretch marks on your stomach and your hips. You never allowed yourself to let go and have fun because the pressure to look perfect consumed you.

Imagine being 75 and realizing you’ve hidden away for the fear of being real. Imagine realizing all the years you wasted hating yourself, but now it’s too late to go swim in the sea late at night. Now it hurts to laugh for more than a few seconds and you’re too weak to travel to the beach. Imagine realizing all this time you were perfect the way you were, but now it’s too late to do anything about it.

Don’t let that happen. Live now, as you are. You deserve to realize you’re enough and always have been before you’re 75. By the way, those who have reached 75 like me and my friends know that it is not too late to go swimming in the sea, embrace the sun, or laugh as long as we care to laugh. A person who has not embraced all Lauren points out is too old mentally no matter what age they are physically. Age is a state of mind, not a function of how your body operates. Enjoy life while you can.

Medical Myths debunked ageing

There is a wonderful series on Medical Myths put out by Medical news Today. This article tackles myths relating to ageing For the Full article click on the link/

1. Physical deterioration is inevitable

This is not entirely untrue. As we age, our body does experience wear and tear from decades of use. However, physical deterioration does not have to be complete, and people can often slow it down.

As the World Health Organization explains, “Increased physical activity and improving diet can effectively tackle many of the problems frequently associated with old age.” These problems include reduced strength, increased body fat, high blood pressure, and reduced bone density.

In short, keeping active, eating right, and maintaining a positive outlook can often slow the physical deterioration associated with older age.

2. Older adults should not exercise

From the previous section, it is clear that this is a myth. According to an older article in Neuropsychobiology, keeping active can boost muscle strength, reduce fat, and improve mental health.

Some people think that, once they reach a certain age, there is no point in exercising, as they believe that it will provide no benefit. This is another myth.

There is also good evidence that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. A study, which involved 1,740 older adults, found that regular exercise was “associated with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

However, people should consult their doctor before embarking on a new exercise regime if they have a medical condition. For example, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom indicate that people with certain conditions associated with age, such as osteoporosis, should avoid high impact exercise. However, the vast majority of older adults can indulge in some form of physical activity.

3. Older adults need less (or more) sleep

Some people believe that older adults need more sleep than younger adults, perhaps because of the stereotype that older people enjoy a nap. Others say that older adults need less sleep, which might stem from the stereotype that older adults rise early in the morning.

These myths are relatively difficult to unpick because there are many factors involved. It is undoubtedly true that older adults have more difficulty getting to sleep and that their sleep tends to be more fragmented.

This might help explain why some older adults need to nap in the day. As the human body changes with age, it can disrupt the circadian (daily) rhythms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) state that people aged 61–64 need 7–9 hours, and people aged 65 or older need 7–8 hours of sleep each night. It just might be more difficult for them to get that all-important shut-eye.

4. Only women get osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones gradually become weaker. Some people believe that it only affects women. This is not true; it can affect either sex or people of any age. However, osteoporosis is indeed much more common in older people, white people, and females.

Another related myth is that osteoporosis is inevitable for women as they age. As the figures above attest, two-thirds of women over 50 do not have osteoporosis. To minimize risks, the National Institute on Aging advise people to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and exercise regularly.

5. As you age, your brain slows

The term cognitive decline refers to a gradual decrease in mental functioning with age, but before we tackle the facts of the matter, we dismiss a couple of associated myths:

Dementia is inevitable as you age

According to the WHO, the risk of developing dementia increases with age, but it does not affect all older adults. Worldwide, an estimated 5–8%Trusted Source of people over 60 have dementia. That means that 92%–95% of people aged 60 or older do not have dementia.

Cognitive decline leads to dementia

Contrary to popular opinion, cognitive decline does not necessarily signal the start of dementia.

One older study estimated that 22.2% of people in the U.S. aged 71 or older experience cognitive decline. Of these, each year, 11.7%–20% develop dementia.

Cognitive decline is inevitable

As the above statistics show, cognitive decline is not inevitable, regardless of the long-held myth that older adults experience a mental slowing down. And, importantly, there are ways to reduce the risk.

They also found good evidence that a healthful diet and lifelong learning or cognitive training also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

6. There’s no point giving up smoking now

Whether this is a genuine myth or merely an excuse, some older adults say that there is no point in giving up smoking at “their age.” This is not true. As the NHS clearly explain:

“No matter how long you have smoked for and no matter how many cigarettes you smoke a day, your health will start to improve as soon as you quit. Some health benefits are immediate, some are longer-term, but what matters is that it’s never too late.”

7. Sex is rare or impossible as you age

Some people believe that older adults lose their ability to enjoy sex and that their sexual organs become unfit for purpose. This, thankfully, is a myth.

It is true that the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness increases as people age, but for most individuals, these are not insurmountable problems.

Intercourse between older people may be less fast and furious, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. As one author writes, “Growing old does not necessarily discontinue a healthy sexual life, but it does call for redefining its expression.”

To end this section on a high, below is a quote from a survey study that involved 158 older adults. Although the participants reported that they were having less sex than a decade earlier, the authors write:

“A remarkably robust sex life was evidenced by both the men and the women, even until advanced old age.”

The take home

Overall, most of the myths surrounding age seem to center on inevitability. People believe that it is inevitable that they will gradually crumble into dust as their lives become increasingly unbearable, boring, passionless, and painful.

Although certain aspects of health might decline with age, none of the above is inevitable for everyone. As we have discovered, a positive psychological outlook on aging can benefit the physical aspects of ageing.

Should you age proof your house?

Maybe my wife and I are in denial. We've been talking about ageing, and I have thought about whether or not we should prepare to age in place by getting our home ready for the possibility that we might suffer an age-related disability.  My wife from time to time has issues with getting around, so I suggested the idea of installing a chair lift to get us to the second floor, which, in my mind would be better than selling. We are thinking about it and have been for about a year. Some people might think we were procrastinating but we are just being thorough.

I have a friend who lives in a one-story house. The master bedroom is on the first floor. They don't have to climb steps. Actually, going up the stairs doesn't bother me. But going down is a little more difficult. I get a twinge in my knee, a crack in my ankle. I have resolved to always make sure to hold onto the banister when negotiating the stairs. I know the last thing you want when you're our age is a fall.

We have a yard with trees in the front and the back, and I am researching the best way to handle the leaves that fall. There is one school of thought that says pick them up, and get rid of them. Another train of thought says pick them up and compost them. While a third train of though says leave them on the lawn, it will not hurt the lawn.

Meanwhile, some of our friends have moved into a townhouse or condominium. They don't have to rake leaves at all, but they are not subject tot new rules and regulations imposed by Condo Boards.

I am thinking of installing a grab bar in the bathroom, because the bathroom can be a dangerous place if your lose your sense of balance.

There is a movement in our area to replace the round doorknobs on the front doors of rooms with a levered doorknob on the front door. Because they are easier to open for seniors. I am not sure if it a good idea, but we have one, and it is easier to open and close than the front door.

The bottom line is if you want to age in place, then age-proofing your home is a good idea.

65 Years old is still young!

I posted about this a few months ago, asking the question how do you define old? My answer was/is “Anyone who is 10 years older than me is old.”

The World Health Organization before it declared 2020-2030 the decade of Healthy Ageing looked at the ageing and asked How old is old? The question is a good one because populations around the world are ageing at a faster pace than in the past and this demographic transition will have an impact on almost all aspects of society. Already, there are more than 1 billion people aged 60 years or older, with most living in low- and middle-income countries. Many do not have access to even the basic resources necessary for a life of meaning and dignity. Many others confront multiple barriers that prevent their full participation in society.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the seriousness of existing gaps in policies, systems and services. A decade of concerted global action on Healthy Ageing is urgently needed to ensure that older people can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

The answer to the question about how old is old may surprise you; the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that 65 years old is still considered young. Before, based on the Friendly Societies Act (1875) in Britain, old was defined by the age of 50. The UN has not yet adopted a standard criterion but lately 60 years old was referred to as the border age to the word ‘old’ (Except for those who were 60 who defined old differently.) However, the health organization had done new research recently, according to average health quality and life expectancy and defined a new criterion that divides human age as follows:

·        0 to 17 years old: underage

·        18 to 65 years old: youth or young people

·        66 to 79 years old: middle-aged

·        80 to 99 years old: elderly or senior

·        100+ years old: long-lived elderly

So, I have a few more years to go before I reach the ranks of those the World Health Organization considers elderly or senior. I will still, even when I am, by age, defined as elderly, still consider myself young and will still consider those who are 10 years older than me to be elderly. Notice I am not using the word old as it is an ageist word and discriminates against those who are elderly. By changing one word at a time, we can change attitudes, but it is still a slow process. So, we who are middle-aged need to be vigilant in our fight against ageism as we progress through the decade of Healthy Ageing.

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is one of the world’s longest-running studies on aging. It began in 1958 and continues to date. For this study, researchers enroll participants age 20 or older and monitor them for life. Participants undergo an extensive battery of health tests and measures every 3 years throughout their lifespan. These tests include blood work, physical tests for mobility, cognitive testing, and body composition, among others.

This is one of the largest and most comprehensive data sets we have available. And after 60+ years of study, researchers have learned a lot but have also been left with questions.

The study was set up to discover markers of aging but found there are none. One of the key findings of the study has been that aging is highly varied. And understandably this frustrated researchers at first.

They’ve realized aging is different for each individual and data predicted that. And most interesting was a huge variation among individuals observed by researchers. One thing that can be agreed on is that we all age differently and the older we get the more variation there is.

So, does that mean aging is completely beyond our control? There may not have been one single marker for aging, but there were several strong predictors of how individuals would age. And researchers found these differences could be detected in middle age. For any disease, research supports that one’s aging trajectory is largely determined by our health and attitudes during middle age. The good news is that the markers for many of these diseases are malleable and depend mostly on behaviour and choices.

The two strongest predictors researchers found that correlated with healthy aging were attitudes toward aging and mobility during middle age. Meaning the more positive the participant’s attitudes toward aging while in their 40’s and 50’s the better they aged. And the better their walking speed and balance in their 40’s and 50’s the better they age as well.

The study found that we can start taking control of our aging today by implementing simple solutions to improve our attitudes and beliefs about aging. We can:

1.        Surround ourselves with others in the right frame of mind to age well.

2.        Then, get up and go for a walk.

3.        Try a balance challenge. Just keep moving in small ways every day. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Don’t overthink it, just move.

4.        And finally, bypass flashy and expensive “anti-aging” solutions for inexpensive, accessible, and simple approaches instead. The best things in life really are free.

Loneliness a different perspective 2

Social isolation in childhood and in late adulthood both have an impact on neurobiological architecture and functional organization. The ensuing loss of social and cognitive capacity has significant public health consequences. On the individual scale, this can result in people becoming less socially engaged and, hence, at greater risk of developing antisocial behaviour. The result is likely to be a drain on the public purse, either in terms of caring for individuals in psychological and physical decline or of the incarceration of disorderly individuals. If social isolation during development happens on a sufficiently large scale, it is likely to have significant consequences for community stability and social cohesion.

These prospects should encourage us to search for means to mitigate possible negative backlash. Social isolation at a massive scale risks creating cohorts of individuals who are less socially functional. It may, therefore, be important to identify ways of mitigating the worst of the effects to alleviate the consequences. The following possible countermeasures may be worth exploring.

One promising intervention would involve creating opportunities where mutual social support relationships (friendships) can develop naturally. One cannot, however, force people to become friends: both parties need to be willing to devote resources to each other in a context where the time budget available for social engagement is limited  and there are competing friendship interests. However, by providing more opportunities for people to meet in congenial environments, new friendships may blossom.

Social neuroscientists undertook a longitudinal intervention study of 332 matched adults who underwent regular training sessions. Several months of cognitive training improved empathy for others’ affective state or perspective-taking of others’ mental state, which resulted in structural remodeling in brain regions belonging to the social brain network, including the frontoinsular network and the default mode network. Daily affective training resulted in thickening of the right anterior and mid-insula, with correspondingly enhanced compassion ratings. Different training regimes correlated with different brain regions.

One important lesson is that joining clubs can have important benefits in reducing both a sense of loneliness and psycho- logical or psychiatric conditions. One obvious solution is to encourage vulnerable individuals to join social groups and communities that suit their interests and abilities. Establishing a wide range of such clubs is likely to be much cheaper than paying for care homes and prisons.

Singing is known to have a dramatic, immediate effect on creating a sense of social engagement and elevating psychological well-being (the 'ice-breaker effect'. Vulnerable individuals could be encouraged to join choirs and community singing groups. Encouragement and funding may need to be invested in establishing a network of choirs.

Use of video-embedded digital communication is likely to gain in importance. This is especially true where family and friendship groups can meet in the same virtual space. The visual component of the interpersonal encounter appears to play a key role in creating a more satisfying experience of digital social media.

The report ends with two interesting questions:

1.  Across the entire lifespan, to what extent does reduced social stimulation or too few social contacts diminish the general capacities of the cognitive range?

2.  How much do people struggling with cognitive load have issues maintaining many active social relationships?  New insight in this chicken-and-egg problem will shed light on the cause of loneliness and may usher in new intervention strategies

Life in uncertain times

Life is surely uncertain now; we don't know what's happening or we don't think we do, these changes upset us in our body, mind and soul. Why is uncertainty so unsettling? We are creatures of habit, we are used to routine and order in our lives. We expect our lives to unfold in certain ways and for the most part, they do.  But as the Coronavirus moves around the world, killing more and more of us it is all we can do is keep calm and carry on. But we are social animals and I believe we need to be around people and we want to help others if we can.

So, what can we do to help as individuals and how can we help our community? Well, first of all, it’s essential to be informed not from FaceBook but from credible sources, it is also important not to be overcome by the information we receive. 

What sells in media is fear, so watching the news all day is not good for you. Credible media plays a role to help us understand what is going on and keeping us informed. We need to remember that what sells papers or gets viewership is fear. So watch daily briefings by government officials if they occur in your jurisdiction. In Canada, we are lucky that the Federal and Provincial governments are updating the public on a daily basis. Don't watch the news commentators who will interpret the news in the worst light to get readership or keep viewers.

Some ideas that might help you keep your stress down that work for me:

I’m minimizing exposure to drama in the media and in conversations with other people. Look for the best in people and stay in the now and not panic about what if's.

The reality of the situation is all around us so I find it is vital to surround myself with positive energy and try to maintain positive thoughts. I do this by watching predictable movies and reruns of shows I like and I am reading a lot more than I did before. You could watch a funny movie, cat videos, uplifting interviews, speak on the phone or through facetime with people you know who are positive; 

You know it is important to stay connected with each other; with so many options available, you can stay “in community,” virtually without having to be irresponsible. I am in the "elderly cohort, but I don't feel like it. I always assume that someone who is elderly is at least 10 years older than I am. But there are people my age who are our vulnerable, so if you want to help reach out, call them to see how they are and ask if they need help if you can help then do so.

There are a lot of people who believe me want to help but don't know how, so I suggest that you reach out and ask for help if you need it

So as much as I am using online ordering, electronic banking & all the delivery services out there while I continue to self-isolate. If I go out, I make sure that I am physically 6 feet or 2 metres away from others.

Eat or maintain a healthy diet, which means minimal refined carbohydrates, especially sugar, which weakens the immune system.

I don't do yoga, but I have been learning how to use breathing to calm myself. Some of you may meditate to help calm yourself, and there are those of you who might want to learn to meditate to calm your thoughts and your body.

Finally, be grateful for people on the front lines of this virus, be grateful for their service and courage. I’m grateful for them. See the best in others, fear is funny it can make us forget that we are all in this together, and it can make forget that the right thing is always to be kind toward yourself and everyone else. Be well; live well. Be kind.

How old is old?

65 Years old is still young!

How old is old? World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared that 65 years old is still considered young. Before, based on the Friendly Societies Act (1875) in Britain, old was defined by the age of 50. The UN has not adopted a standard criterion but lately 60 years old was referred to as the border age to the word ‘old’. However, the health organization had done new research recently, according to average health quality and life expectancy and defined a new criterion that divides human age as follows:

0 to 17 years old: underage

18 to 65 years old: youth or young people

66 to 79 years old: middle-aged

80 to 99 years old: elderly or senior

100+ years old: long-lived elderly

If you are over 65 you may be retired, so you might like the answers to Why I Like Retirement!

Question: How many days in a week?

Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday

Question: When is a retiree's bedtime

Answer: Two hours after falling asleep on the couch

Question: How many retirees, does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer: Only one, but it might take all day.

Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees?

Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done.

Question: Why don’t retirees mind being called Seniors?

Answer: The term comes with an l0% discount

Question: Among retirees, what is considered formal attire?

Answer: Tied shoes

Healthy Ageing 5

As we end the year, here is the final look at healthy ageing for a while. The look ends with the idea of how important it is to volunteer. So as we look forward to 2020 consider making volunteering one of your commitments for the new year.

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011

Volunteering

Approximately one-third of Canadians age 65 and older volunteer; and they volunteer more hours than other age groups. This is an example of a productive ageing activity. Older adults have knowledge, skills and abilities, which they can give if barriers are removed, and opportunities made known. Volunteering offers many benefits: it helps keep people connected with communities, is associated with longevity, and increases both happiness and satisfaction. 

The reasons older adults volunteer are both personal and altruistic: to benefit the community and feel a sense of belonging, to have social interaction and mental stimulation, to feel useful, and occupy free time. For volunteering to be long-lasting and satisfying, a good and enjoyable fit is important. One should establish volunteering earlier in life, or opportunities in later life may be lost, due to declining health.

Healthy Ageing 4

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011

Finance

At every income level, financial planning can contribute to greater well-being, and is a pillar of healthy ageing. It can help the older adult avoid or reduce poverty, and maintain an adequate income for an active and independent lifestyle. It can also provide more options, should life circumstances or health status suddenly change, and a cushion is needed. For example, if the ability to do yard work or housecleaning becomes a challenge, it can still be possible to remain at home by engaging assistance with these tasks.

A significant percentage of Canadian seniors live below the poverty line, with women at higher risk for financial insecurity in older age. Women are generally less financially prepared for retirement: they are less financially literate, save less, and live longer, so they must support themselves longer.

Many older adults rely too heavily on the Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan as their main retirement income. One or two sources of income are not a strong financial foundation, should changes in health or circumstance occur. A three-pronged approach is recommended, public pension plus two other sources, such as savings, employer pensions or real estate investments. Most people need to pay more attention to financial planning and begin thinking earlier about the desired lifestyle in retirement and discover the steps to achieve it. All mid-life adults and older adults should become financially literate and work for financial stability.

Healthy Ageing 3

Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing. Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia, published in 2011.

Transportation

Mobility outside the home is important for many reasons. It enables people to maintain social connections, participate in the community, and fulfill personal needs, and it supports independence and choice. An active lifestyle can help the older adult to retain driving capacity longer since physical frailty and associated health issues commonly force driving cessation

Addressing driver fitness in older adults is often sensitive. Often people are dependent on driving and uninformed about alternatives; consequently, they feel they need to keep driving. There are safety concerns with older drivers, such as slow reaction time, driving too slowly, and not paying attention to pedestrians. Older drivers are better at identifying vision and fatigue problems, as opposed to cognitive function declines. Factors that may compromise the older adult’s driving ability include changes in the visual field, reduced hearing ability, decreased strength, coordination and flexibility, and medication side effects.

It is useful to assess driving ability in mid-life, and there are self-assessment tests readily available. Being proactive and informed about alternatives means that changes can be accommodated and lifestyle minimally disrupted when driving ceases. The older adult will live about 7 – 10 years beyond their driving ability, so anticipating future transportation matters.

AGE-WELL NCE Inc

Have you ever heard of AGE-WELL NCE Inc.? I haven’t and I have been writing about senior issues for about 10 years and have been involved in creating and delivering workshops on senior health and wellness. I guess they are not promoting themselves to senior populations but only to academics and technology companies. I suspect that there are some who know what they do, but I didn’t and for that, I take responsibility and will introduce you to them, as they might be doing some good for seniors. The following is from their report published in 2018.

AGE-WELL is a federally-funded Network of Centres of Excellence established in 2015 to support Canadian research and innovation in the area of technology and ageing. AGE-WELL is dedicated to the development and delivery of technologies, services and policies/practices that benefit older adults and caregivers.

Our aim is to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life through technology-based solutions that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation. As Canada’s technology and ageing network, AGE-WELL brings together more than 200 funded and affiliated researchers from 40 universities and research centres across Canada.

Over 250 industry, government and non-profit partners work closely with us on solutions for healthy ageing.

AGE-WELL also trains the next generation of leaders in the field of technology and ageing, with almost 500 trainees now in our ranks. Our research projects are organized into eight research themes (called Workpackages), supported by four Crosscutting Activities in knowledge mobilization, commercialization, team-working and training.

Age Well is the only pan-Canadian network that brings everyone together—researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders— to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. In three short years, AGE-WELL has tripled in size. Today, our network includes more than 200 researchers from 40 universities and research centres across Canada.

We have over 250 industry, community, government and academic partners who share our vision that Canada’s leadership in technology and ageing benefits the world. These are meaningful partnerships. Consider that every research project has at least one industry or community partner who makes a significant in-kind or cash investment. End-users take part in these projects. In fact, more than 4,500 older adults and caregivers are involved. This is how we ensure our products are practical and useful.

International Day of Older Persons

On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons with the theme being ‘The Journey to Age Equality".

The composition of the world population has changed dramatically in recent decades. Between 1950 and 2010 life expectancy worldwide rose from 46 to 68 years, and it is projected to increase to 81 by the end of the century.  It should be noted that at present women outnumber men by an estimated 66 million among those aged 60 years or over. Among those aged 80 years or over, women are nearly twice as numerous as men, and among centenarians’ women are between four and five times as numerous as men. For the first time in human history, in 2050, there will be more persons over 60 than children in the world.

Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 percent of the world's population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard.

The government have chosen diverse approaches in setting priorities. These choices highlight different perceptions of the role that older people play in the family and in society at large. In some cases, measures aim to capture the rapidly evolving dynamics of communities and societies, inviting a second look at current perceptions about older persons and work, elder-care mechanisms, intergenerational support systems and financial constraints. Some Governments have designed policies founded on the principle of active ageing and autonomy, aimed at facilitating the continuation of independent lives at home, with services and facilities that cater for various types of needs. Others emphasize family ties and support for the family unit as the primary source of care for older persons. In all cases, various volunteer organizations and community-based centres, are essential to the smooth functioning of the entire system.

The different circumstances that shape the lives of women and men in old age are the outcome of a lifetime of experience. Good health, economic security, adequate housing, an enabling environment, access to land or other productive resources, these are the fundamentals of ageing with dignity, yet achieving them depends on decisions and choices only partly determined by each individual.

The impact of gender inequalities in education and employment becomes most pronounced in old age. As a result, older women are more likely than older men to be poor. Furthermore, older women often take on greater responsibilities for family care while managing inflexible working conditions, mandatory retirement ages and inadequate pensions and other social security benefits, which leave them, and those in their care, extremely vulnerable. Without doubt, ageing, its human rights challenges and its feminization constitute an unprecedented shift in the social fabric of all societies, with far-reaching consequences.

Empowering older persons in all dimensions of development, including promoting their active participation in social, economic and political life, is one way to ensure their inclusiveness and reduce inequalities.

Often, disparities in old age reflect an accumulated disadvantage characterized by factors such as: location, gender, socio‐economic status, health and income. Between 2015 and 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion. In this regard, trends of ageing and economic inequality interact across generations and rapid population ageing, demographic and societal or structural changes alone, can exacerbate older age inequalities, thereby limiting economic growth and social cohesion.

The 2019 theme aims to:

·       Draw attention to the existence of old age inequalities and how this often results from a cumulation of disadvantages throughout life, and highlight the intergenerational risk of increased old age inequalities.

·       Bring awareness to the urgency of coping with existing — and preventing future — old age inequalities.

·       Explore societal and structural changes in view of life-course policies: life-long learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, social protection and universal health coverage.

·       Reflect on best practices, lessons and progress on the journey to ending older age inequalities and changing negative narratives and stereotypes involving "old age."

Factors that affect the time use of seniors 1

Seniors are increasing as a percentage of the population. According to the 2016 Census, there were 5.9 million seniors in Canada, which accounted for 16.9% of the total population. In comparison, there were 2.4 million seniors in 1981 or 10% of the population.

The first baby boomers turned 65 in 2011, which has led to the largest increase (+20%) in the number of seniors in Canada in 70 years. In addition, although they represent a relatively small proportion of the overall senior population, centenarians were the fastest-growing population between 2011 and 2016 (+41%). The overall population in Canada, in comparison, grew by 5% during the same period.

As a result of the rapid increase in the number of seniors, 2016 marked the first time that the census enumerated more seniors than children aged 14 and under.

The proportion of the population aged 65 and over is also expected to continue to increase over the coming decades and, by 2031, there may be as many as 9.6 million seniors in Canada, which would represent 23% of the total population. An ageing population has important implications as more Canadians are receiving an old age pension and are seeking health care and services, while housing and transportations needs are also changing. As a result, understanding the factors associated with time use among this growing population can provide information for policymakers to develop long-term strategies.

Another important factor is that the senior population is increasingly female, given that women have a longer life expectancy than men. According to the 2016 Census, among seniors (aged 65 and over), the number of women exceeded the number of men by more than 20%, while there were two women for every man in the population aged 85 and over.

Housework is defined as exercise, so it in good to see that both men and women are engaging in this type of physical activity. In 2015, 91% of senior women (aged 65 and over) engaged in unpaid household work on a typical day, compared with 83% of senior men. When they engaged in unpaid household work, senior women also spent more time on such activities (3.5 hours a day) than senior men did (2.9 hours).

About three-quarters of men and women aged 65 and over engaged in other active pursuits such as socializing and using technology, spending approximately 3.5 hours doing so on a typical day. A further 9 in 10 seniors also engaged in passive leisure activities such as watching television and reading.

Factors that affect the time use of seniors include age, sex, employment status, educational attainment and living arrangements. Older seniors, for example, spend more time on passive leisure activities (e.g., watching television and reading) and sleep more than younger seniors.

Health status also affects seniors’ participation in some activities. Seniors who reported that their health was poor or fair were less likely to participate in socializing and reading, as well as civic, religious and organizational activities than those who said that their health status was excellent or very good.

Between 1986 and 2015, the participation rate of senior women in active pursuits declined, from 77% to 69%. In addition, both senior men and women decreased their average time spent on active pursuits over the period, by 35 minutes and 40 minutes a day, respectively.

How do you spend your time?

A growing body of research is examining how older Canadians spend their time.  Over the next few posts, I will take a look at the research put out by Stats Canada on this issue. The findings are important because in Canada people are retiring later and living longer. For example, the 2016 Census showed that more people are working past the age of 65: nearly 1 in 5 Canadians aged 65 and over reported working at some point during the previous year, which was almost double the proportion in 1995.

Understanding how my generation spend our time is essential as many of us continue to contribute to society in other ways (such as volunteering and caregiving)—our contributions do not end when we are no longer formally employed. Research has found that those of us who volunteer give more hours than those in any other age group. Our generation is more likely to engage in charitable giving and, although we are the least common group of caregivers, we are the most likely to spend the greatest number of hours providing care.

Once my age group retires, what are we doing with our free time? We could be using our time to volunteer, exercise or travel or we could be spending our post-retirement years in a more inactive way. Existing research has shown that, as we age, there is a definite shift in time allocation from paid work to leisure activities. It is also important to note that, according to this research, part of that increase can be attributed to more passive leisure activities and not necessarily active pursuits. In addition, existing health research has found that many of us spend the most time on sedentary activities.

Existing research shows the importance of being socially engaged throughout the ageing process. Ageing is a transitional period when people experience changes not only in physical health but also in social roles that can influence how seniors organize their time and social activities. Social engagement in meaningful activities and maintaining close relationships is important for many older adults. Maintaining connections to family and friends, however, may be more difficult for my generation, because our social networks become smaller with age.

Survey on Ageing Part Two

A Place For Mom recently did a survey to see what younger people think about ageing. The results are interesting. Some fear physical frailty while others look forward to having more time for hobbies, but which preconceptions are right, and which are wrong? They surveyed 2,000 people aged 16-34 then checked their beliefs against the evidence to find out. Young people did better on this half of the questions scoring 80%. So their total score was 6/10 which is not bad. How did you do?

#6“After the age of 60, people’s sex lives generally decline.”

52% of young people think this is true, sadly the research agrees.  Coming from the generation that’s less sexually active than their parents and grandparents were when they were young, this one’s a little rich. Although true in essence – we do have less sex as we age – the decline isn’t all that sharp, with 52% of men and 42% of women aged 60-69 reporting having sexual intercourse in the past year in a national study. 57% of adults over 60 claimed to be sexually active in a 2011 study, while a 2018 poll found that 76% of those aged 65 or more believe that sex is an integral part of relationships at any age.

#7“ When people get old, they have less of a sense of adventure and are less inclined to travel.”

27% of young people think this is true, however, seniors are still adventurous and love to travel. As evidenced by AARP studies from recent years, Baby Boomers (aged 50+) were taking 4-5 trips a year, as many as Generation X (35 - 49). Other research suggests that, while perhaps less inclined to travel internationally, 50% of Baby Boomers take leisure trips within in the U.S., more than any other age group. There’s a great misconception that ageing is the same for everyone. There are significant individual differences in how people experience ageing, and this includes our desire to travel to far-flung destinations – something many people may not have possessed in the first place.  Cultivating a sense of adventure is important and something most of us can and do incorporate into our lives in some way, regardless of our age. It doesn't have to mean scaling Everest – the key is curiosity and being open to new experiences. Some might love a safari or camping trip while taking a course or trying a new restaurant is an adventure for others.

#8“ People become an economic burden on society when they reach old age.”

12% of young people think this is true, while the majority agree with the research that says this is false. It appears that young people don’t subscribe to this old stereotype. And rightly so, as an Oxford Economics report found that the “longevity economy” is one of the most vital in the U.S. People over 50 are only 35% of the U.S. population, but contribute 43% of total U.S. GDP with their contribution amounting to $7.4 trillion annually.

#9“Dementia is an inevitable result of old age.”

22% of young people think this is true but only 47% know that this is false. Even though dementia can be very debilitating, a fresh study from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests it affects only 10.5% of adults aged 65 or over. An even more encouraging finding comes from a pan-European study that concluded the dementia rate in older people has dropped 23% in the past 20 years.

#10“As people grow old, they become less happy.”

55% of young people think this is false and the research agrees with them. Research suggests that old age isn’t associated with unhappiness. A study from Princeton University shows that after a certain decline in middle age, happiness and well-being start increasing again in the 50s and by 70 we are happier than we were in our 20s.

There are plenty of opportunities for social connection and to help others that can keep loneliness at bay. Intergenerational social interactions are particularly valuable, as spending time with people outside of your own age group can be mutually beneficial. You should also examine and challenge your own beliefs about ageing. Advances in medical research are leading to better ways to treat various conditions and enhance the quality of life so you might be surprised to learn that some of your ideas about ageing are outdated or inaccurate.

Ageing is complex

As you prepare for retirement, I think it is important to introduce yourself to your older self. As we approach retirement, we begin to see our older self, but by then it may be too late. Approaching retirement and ageing is complex and can be defined in a number of very different ways – chronological, legal, personal, physiological, psychological, and social/cultural. But our attitude is key, we must also reshape some of our own attitudes toward retirement and ageing. 

In terms of attitudes toward retirement in general, we should come to see life as an opportunity for continuous growth and development; recognize that all of us are unique; understand that there's no one way to "get old” or one way to prepare for retirement, we need to appreciate the strengths and values of older people; and understand that ageist stereotypes are harmful. 

In terms of attitudes toward the ageing process, we need to understand ageing as a continuous process of growing up and becoming older. A baby born today can expect to live longer than ever before in history. As we grow older and approach retirement, we need to understand that ageing is a complex interaction of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. We need to recognize that individuals can make personal choices about retirement that will affect the length and quality of their life, and recognize that ageing isn't just physical, but it's also psychological and social. 

We must understand and internalize that advances in medicine, nutrition, and health care make it possible for people to live longer, live healthier lives. Longevity is increasing, as is the percentage of the population that is older and this creates economic and social changes that affect us all. We need to get others to believe that while an ageing society provides challenges, it also offers opportunities.

As we explore retirement and ageing, we do have to be careful not to split old age and retirement into two polarized images – the "ill-derly" versus the "healthy, wealthy, and wise." The idea of the old and frail, vs the old and healthy feeds both a false pessimism and a superficial optimism. 

Negative images are everywhere, oppressive and depressing; positive images are too confining, idealized, and perhaps unattainable for many. From my experiences in giving workshops on health and wellness to seniors, I recognize that not everyone's situation is the same. 

There are those who can't retire because they can't subsist on Old Age Security alone. They may not have e-mail to stay in contact with their grandchildren, and they may be too tired for lifelong learning. To create genuinely satisfying, realistic images of ageing, we have to understand its complexities – with variations dependent on class, culture, income, education, gender, and more.

As we create a new understanding of ageing and of retirement we need to remember there are no prescribed role models to follow, no guideposts, no rigid rules or obvious rewards. Ageing is about our vision of what it means to live a life. We need to feel as though we are moving toward something worthwhile – not necessarily easy, not straightforward, but worthwhile. We need meaning and hope, both individually and as a society.

No one can say what it will be like to grow old in the middle or late 21st century. What it means to be 50, 60, 70, or 80 years old today is very different from what it meant or was like 100 years ago. We don't know whether the life of older people in the future will be better or worse. But we can be certain that it will be different. The better prepared the young are and we are, the more educated, the abler they will be to help create new and rise to the new challenges that life brings and to handle what comes as they age.