By Joanne Richard. Canadians of all ages are feeling the impacts of the pandemic outbreak but older workers have been particularly hit hard in the accompanying economic downturn. “Older workers are likely to be more experienced, more costly, and therefore at greater risk…” According to AARP research, since the onset of COVID-19, workers 55 and older lost jobs sooner and were rehired slower. It typically takes them twice as long to find work again compared to their younger counterparts ages 35 to 54. This segment of the workforce is talented, committed, and flexible, with a litany of valuable transferable skills, yet the still-flourishing ageism trend acts against them in the workplace and, apparently, so too the seniority that had protected them in earlier downturns, particularly as they navigate the challenges associated with the aging brain. “Older workers are likely to be more experienced, more costly, and therefore at greater risk, when there is an economic contraction and employers want to cut payroll costs,” says Dr. Michael Merzenich, renowned neuroscientist at the University of California and a world authority on brain plasticity. “They may also be perceived as less tech-savvy and less able to adapt to working remotely – though that is often inaccurate, since these are workers with decades of good work habits.” As vaccinations roll out and the economy bounces back, there’ll be new opportunities rolling out. Don’t let unemployment be career-ending. As vaccinations roll out and the economy bounces back, there’ll be new opportunities rolling out. And while starting a new career may be daunting, neuroscience tells us that change and challenge are good for the aging brain. According to Merzenich, rejoining the workforce will require uncovering hidden skills and abilities by trying out new careers or retirement work, and getting proactively creative. No matter your age, never underestimate your ability to meet challenges and evolve in changing times. “We are constructed to change. Brain plasticity – the ability of the brain to change chemically, structurally, and functionally throughout life – is our greatest human asset,” says Merzenich, who developed the new field of brain training exercises and is a regular on PBS as the subject of Brain Secrets and The Brain Revolution. At any age, every brain is capable of very substantial change, in an improving and strengthening direction. Progressively challenging forms of brain usage grow brain power, he says. Your brain is enlivened by challenges that require new skill acquisition and new learning. “At any age, every brain is capable of very substantial change, in an improving and strengthening direction.” Incredibly, the negative changes in the brain that contribute to functional and neurological decline are very substantially reversible – at any age. “The likelihood that you will progress to ‘lose your marbles’ is substantially within your hands because the great majority of people have the capability to ‘turn back the clock’ vis-a-vis their organic brain health and its functional powers.” Merzenich offers these tips to help older job seekers rejoin the workforce:

By Joanne Richard. Spring is here and what’s certain is that warm weather and sunshine will replace the dark days of winter. “Your brain wants to know what’s around the next corner so it can keep you out of harm’s way.” While sunnier days beckon, uncertainty lingers as the pandemic and intermittent lockdowns continue to cloud our horizons. As human beings, we crave security and a sense of control, and the pandemic has disrupted routines and everyday tasks, and given us lots to worry about. Even with vaccinations on the rise, many of us can’t help but feel stressed and unsettled about what our new normal will look like. Our brain dislikes uncertainty, says author and psychotherapist Dr. Bryan Robinson. Your brain wants to know what’s around the next corner so it can keep you out of harm’s way. “It always assumes the worst… You’re hardwired to overestimate threats and underestimate your ability to handle them  all in the name of survival.” • Identify things you can control To thrive, not just survive, in these uncertain times of uncertainty, identify things that you can control, Robinson recommends. “It can be simple things such as wearing a mask in public, arranging furniture, healthy self-care such as meditation, exercise, nutrition, and sleep.” Asserting our will over our living space and getting things in order give people a sense of mastery and control, and lowers stress and anxiety. Tackle chores, projects and home repairs that may have been neglected over the past year. Asserting our will over our living space and getting things in order give people a sense of mastery and control, and lowers stress and anxiety, reports research by Darby Saxbe, assistant professor of psychology at the University of California. COVID fear has taken its toll on us, and the winter has taken its toll on your house and property – having a tidy backyard will provide a calming oasis that can make you healthier and happier, and reduce the risk of falls. Getting small home repairs done now can prevent larger, more expensive problems and worries in the future. “As things go downhill, create or rebirth something new. It’s invigorating and energizing.” • Helping others helps you Besides asserting control over a few simple things, further diminish stress by creating something new, suggests Robinson. “You don’t have to be an artist. But there’s an old saying that as things go downhill, create or rebirth something new. It’s invigorating and energizing.” In addition, help others and, in return, receive something known as “the helper’s high.” Robinson says that helping others takes the focus off ourselves, gives us purpose and makes us feel good, not to mention making things better for another person. “Thinking of the common good actually enlarges our perspective and helps us appreciate the blessings we already have.” • Focus on what you’re grateful for Practice gratitude, advises Robinson. Make a list of all the things in your life you are thankful for. That requires you to focus on the positive instead of the negative.  “Your attitude is everything if you want to thrive.” “I had a multi-millionaire older man who built skyscrapers and was mad because he had to pay $1 million in taxes. He had lost count of the fact that he made $15 million that year. He was a rich man leading an impoverished life. Your attitude is everything if you want to thrive.” • Reduce stress with self-care Keep in mind that self-care is your first line of defense against the damage of ongoing uncertainty. “Self-care makes your use of time more sustainable. Healthy eating, rest and regular exercise increase your stamina to withstand any perceived threat to your survival.”  Indulge in restorative activities that rejuvenate your mind and body and restore your energy and peace of mind, Robinson recommends. “Make a 10- or 15-minute appointment with yourself daily, and schedule personal time – a hobby, hot bath, manicure, yoga, facial, reading, contemplate nature, or meditate.” Read also, A note from our founder on the COVID-19 Pandemic. • Stress compromises immune system Your perspective is the most powerful thing you can control in a situation that is beyond your control, Robinson adds. Fear, panic and worry are not preparation or productive – “they add insult to injury, another layer of stress that can compromise the immune system and, paradoxically, make us even more vulnerable to the virus.” “Changing your perspective and reminding yourself that many gifts await you in the unknown future, that it contains many positive outcomes as well as negative ones, is a game changer.” Offset negative thoughts by finding an upside to a downside situation, he suggests. “Changing your perspective and reminding yourself that many gifts await you in the unknown future, that it contains many positive outcomes as well as negative ones, is a game changer.”