Stories and reflections encourage and support readers in living vibrantly through wholeheartedly embracing life’s challenges
Gail Boulanger is a coach and counselor for “vibrant living” in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. She says that vibrant living infuses our lives with energy and enthusiasm just as sun infuses the day with light and warmth. But Gail also says that vibrant living rests on a foundation of healthy grieving. From November 2012… (more…)
Our culture promotes the belief that aging means decline, dependence and dementia, or at best isolation and depression—yet most elders are healthier, better educated and productive both economically and socially, than they were earlier in life
Researcher, writer and activist Lillian Zimmerman has grown weary with what she calls the “crisis mentality about the horrors of aging“—and the broad notions of “decline” that accompany views about aging in our society. The octogenarian says the negative views of aging fail markedly to look at the positive aspects of aging. She’s also aware of rampant ageism in society at large, but argues that older people are healthier, better educated and productive both economically and socially, than they were earlier in life. “We don’t decline when we turn 65,” Lillian writes, “In fact we continue to develop and create innovative new ways of being older.” From May 2013… (more…)
Seniors homelessness is on the rise in Greater Victoria—prompting a call for more age-appropriate housing
A change is being seen among homeless people in Victoria, British Columbia. Alan Rycroft, a spokesperson for the Victoria Cool Aid Society, told MetroNews, “In our shelter system, we’ve been watching the ages climb and we also see it in our intake for supportive housing.” Andrew Wynn-Williams, executive director of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, told MetroNews that it’s a matter of demographics: “We have an aging population, and that will impact on the homeless population as well.” (more…)
Our culture promotes the belief that aging means decline, dependence and dementia, or at best isolation and depression—yet most elders are healthier, better educated and productive both economically and socially, than they were earlier in life
Researcher, writer and activist Lillian Zimmerman has grown weary with what she calls the “crisis mentality about the horrors of aging“—and the broad notions of “decline” that accompany views about aging in our society. The octogenarian says the negative views of aging fail markedly to look at the positive aspects of aging. She’s also aware of rampant ageism in society at large, but argues that older people are healthier, better educated and productive both economically and socially, than they were earlier in life. “We don’t decline when we turn 65,” Lillian writes, “In fact we continue to develop and create innovative new ways of being older.” (more…)
Pulling back the curtain on the widely felt, seldom-discussed discrimination that Chinese seniors face every day
In Vancouver’s Chinatown, seniors who speak only Cantonese or Mandarin face discrimination, marginalization, and a lack of affordable, culturally- and linguistically-appropriate housing. Research suggests the problem will worsen as these vulnerable seniors, already living in poverty and isolation, age. Housing reporter Jackie Wong reveals, in a special Tyee series, the widely felt but seldom-discussed discrimination that Chinese seniors face every day. She also looks at innovative housing solutions found in Toronto and San Francisco.
Stories and reflections encourage and support readers in living vibrantly through wholeheartedly embracing life’s challenges
Gail Boulanger is a coach and counselor for “vibrant living” in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. She says that vibrant living infuses our lives with energy and enthusiasm just as sun infuses the day with light and warmth. But Gail also says that vibrant living rests on a foundation of healthy grieving. (more…)
