The tables turn and the person who cared for you will likely need care. As parents grow older, you want to be there for them but it can be a challenge especially if you don’t live close by. The distance can make it tough but you can still provide support and assistance to aging parents even if you’re living in a different city or even province. Rick Lauber, an Edmonton author and former co-caregiver, knows firsthand the challenges: “Caregiving was new territory for me… much like many others, I did not have related background experience or knowledge to draw from. I was also not prepared for my new role.” He shares what he learned caring for his aging parents in his two books Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians and The Successful Caregiver’s Guide, and offers practical tips, great guidance and encouragement to help prepare prospective and current family caregivers. “Caregiving can be a major time commitment and can easily impact a family member physically, mentally, emotionally and financially,” says Rick. Increased Costs And Stressors Initially he helped co-caregive from a distance for 10 years for both his senior parents, and then they moved closer to him and his sisters, which increased their responsibilities and contributions. “I remember being constantly on the go. If I was not planning the parental schedule for the next day or running another parental errand, I was worried about how Mom and Dad were doing or if my telephone would ring with an emergency.” Working alongside his sisters, he assumed many unexpected caregiving duties, like moving his parents repeatedly, driving them to appointments, managing their banking and paying bills and, in due course, serving as Joint Guardian and Alternate Trustee. For those caring from afar, there’s increased travel that results in added costs including accommodation, meals out and vehicle maintenance, and the stress of being less able to quickly react and respond to an aging parent’s needs, says Rick, who was a 15-hour drive away so he preferred the two-hour flight. When seniors retire to smaller towns, they will not have as many services available to help them. Take on New Roles Prepare to take on new roles, learn more about complex medical conditions, try to work harmoniously with aging parents and siblings, and balance caregiving with busy lives, families, and careers, he says. Family caregivers may also face increased stress over wondering if they are making the best decisions, he adds, which is a natural worry. “It’s important to note that caregiving is not all bad however: From my own experience, I built better relationships with my parents and sisters, became better organized, learned more about my own capabilities, and became more self-confident,” he adds.  Read more about The Future Of Aging. Video Chat Regularly With the right approach and resources – and Rick’s tips – you can ensure elderly parents are supported and connected, no matter the miles. Communicate regularly. If adult children cannot easily travel to see their aging parents, they could still call them. A video chat (through Zoom or some other platform) is better than a phone call as it is more personal and can provide family members a much better opportunity to observe and assess the senior’s appearance as well as gauge how the senior is doing. Enlist outside help. Hire a caregiver from a trusted professional caregiving company. Coordinate with a friendly neighbour to drop in to visit with aging parents and then report back to distant family members. Outside help could also run errands for seniors while family caregivers are visiting – thus allowing them more quality time together. Get creative with outside help. Perhaps the neighbour is a dog walker and an aging parent could join on these outings for company, fresh air and exercise. A neighbour’s teen could be hired to mow a senior’s lawn or shovel snowy sidewalks. Reliability is critical so hiring a reputable company to do routine outdoor and indoor maintenance work can help greatly – research well. When speaking with these prospective providers, ask for references to check, if they have done similar work for other seniors, and how long they have been in business. Check with the Better Business Bureau as part of your research. Local seniors’ associations could possibly provide recommendations of vetted senior service providers. Technology Can be Your Eyes And Ears Utilize technology. Wearable health devices (e.g. wristbands) can measure and collect health data. Mobile device apps can remind aging parents to take their medication. Home monitoring systems can report on an aging senior’s movements within the home. Stove fire prevention devices automatically shut off the appliance if it has been left on for too long. On-line social media platforms (e.g. Facebook) provide an aging parent the chance to communicate with distant family members, join message boards for social interaction, research areas of interest, be entertained, and view photographs of the grandchildren. Technology can be a family caregiver’s eyes and ears from afar. Assign a primary family caregiver. When numerous siblings are available, a senior’s care can be shared; however, it may be beneficial to delegate one person to oversee the entire process. It may be tempting to choose the family caregiver living closest geographically to aging parents but consider what other siblings could bring to the table. “When Mom and Dad began to need more help, my sisters and I each took a turn to fly out, stay with them, and tend to what needed to be done. We each had our different skill sets and sharing the workload while still communicating with each other back home reduced the stress,” says Rick.   Reduce Home Clutter Downsize. Aging parents often accumulate a great deal of stuff over the course of their lifetimes, but how much of this remains necessary? Reducing the amount of clutter in a parent’s home makes it safer. Large, bulky furniture can block a senior’s mobility and deep couch cushions which can trap a senior who may not have the strength or flexibility to stand.…
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Social wellness is critical as we age. While there may not be a single magic pill for healthy aging, strong social connections deliver bigtime health benefits. It’s good for the soul, our happiness and our brain health. An active social life keeps us on the go and moving physically, boosts our mood and promotes cognitive health which helps fight off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Read more about Boost your brain health with 5 exercises Being social can lead to a better healthspan and longer lifespan too. Older adults with strong social networks had a 50% higher likelihood of survival compared to those with limited social connections, reports a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Another study reports that 60-year-olds that visited with friends almost daily were 12% less likely to develop dementia than those who saw one or two friends every few months. And it appears that interacting with friends, more so than family, promotes positive returns for brain health because you’re generally doing activities outside of your home, according to research. Getting out and into the world helps ward off loneliness and isolation. You meet new people, learn new things, build new memories and workout your brain by exercising many different areas of cognition. Health and safety perks Neighbours and best friends Rita Lalonde, 80, and Martine Fournier, 68, are reaping the benefits of social wellness. “Getting together most every day makes us happy and healthy. We’re like sisters, like family – we garden together, go on day trips, line dance and support one another through thick and thin. We keep each other young and laughing,” says Martine. There’s also a security benefit, she adds. “By being in touch daily we know if something is wrong. For example, if one of us should have a health issue and cannot reach a phone, the other would know so there’s not much chance of someone lying on the floor for hours, alone and afraid.” According to therapist Joshua Peters, large social networks help to provide additional support for older folks by ensuring they have others to ‘check-on’ their wellbeing “For example, we know that many isolated seniors don’t seek medical attention until it’s too late (or at least longer than necessary) because they simply don’t have anyone available to notice health changes or an emergency.” Moreover, seniors who fall at home alone and have no one to check-on them are much more likely to experience severe health outcomes than their more social peers, adds Peters, a psychotherapist at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships. Isolation is bad for health Peters highly recommends getting social for the good of your health because the truth is “use it or lose it.” This is in reference to the fact that seniors are especially vulnerable to losing some of the skills they’ve gained over their lifetime when in isolation, and not actively social. “This can range from simple physical tasks like walking to more complex ones like holding a conversation. Moreover, if seniors attempt to regain these skills it can mean a longer relearning process – and for physical tasks added danger.” Connections create a fulfilling and enriching life but connecting and maintaining connections isn’t always easy – it can be challenging and intimidating. The thing about getting older is that friends and family may move away or pass away. They can’t be replaced and hearts ache but it’s important to get out of the house and foster new relationships while staying connected to the relationships you do have.   Social isolation is a serious threat to health and affects us mentally and physically. The National Institute on Aging links social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression, cognitive decline and more. Related read: Ways To Keep Your Brain Sharp Socialize with all ages Peters offers up these six tips for seniors to cultivate a healthy social life: Visit the seniors in your life Meanwhile, it’s also important for family and friends to encourage the seniors in their life to socialize more and include them often. “Visit the senior members of your family. These individuals provide a wealth of experience to learn from – even if it’s quite different from yours,” says Peters. Encourage those seniors close to you to “story” their life and tell you about moments that changed them as people – good and bad, he adds. Seniors Active Living Services in Toronto Create cross-generational activities that all demographics of your family/friend group can partake in. “Time and again I hear amazing stories from clients who strike out and create friends outside of their general age demographics – this diversity benefits all those involved.”

Aging is inevitable – so how do we age better and feel better about it? Face it, society doesn’t generally make us feel very good about getting older – all we hear about is that younger is always better, and that the act of growing older is somehow shameful, grim, ugly and scary, says author and ageism disruptor Carl Honoré. That’s so not the truth. “No age is perfect but the truth is that many things stay the same and some things even get better as we get older,” says the author of Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives. “Every age can be wonderful but only if we embrace it: We need to embrace the present without pining for the past or shrinking from the future – only if we embrace aging as an adventure.” As a privilege. The author wants to help you get bolder as you get older and enjoy the luminous journey. “David Bowie once described aging as ‘an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.’ I love that idea. That as we grow older we become more – not less – ourselves.” Seniors are doing amazing things He admits his own thinking about aging has shifted since researching and writing Bolder. Research shows that people are generally more contented in later life. “As we age, we become more comfortable in our own skin and less worried about what others think of us. We tend to form stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Aging can also make us more altruistic,” says Carl. There’s never been a better time to age! Thanks to better nutrition, technology, medicine and exercise, the physical decline brought on be aging can be slowed down which means we can go on doing amazing things with our bodies as we navigate the aging journey, he says. “Today, the average over-65-year-old is in better shape than ever before.” And furthermore “the conventional wisdom that romance and bedroom fireworks belong to the young is flat-out wrong. Hurray!” You are what you think There’s fireworks on the business front too. Studies show you’re more likely to create a successful start up in middle age or beyond. That it improves collaboration in diverse work groups. Productivity, creativity and social smarts rise with age – “I also feel more entrepreneurial, more able to turn risk into reward.” Don’t let age define or limit you. “Just look at the burgeoning army of people running marathons in their seventies, climbing mountains in their eighties and cycling cross-country in their nineties. Welcome to the age of the centenarian sky-diver.” Thinking more positive about aging gives us a boost: We live longer, walk faster, stand a better chance of recovering from disability and even perform better on memory and motor control tests, according to research. The real challenge facing us is not aging, he stresses, but it’s ageism. We need to adopt more optimistic and realistic views, and ditch prevailing toxic ageist attitudes and diminishing language. “We need to rewrite the rules of everything, from the workplace and education to design and social services.” Tips to age boldly Make time to learn, work, rest, care for others, volunteer, create and have fun all the way through our lives. “Aging can be a bonus rather than a burden,” says Carl. He offers these 12 rules to age boldly: 1. Keep on learning and experimenting. The adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks isn’t even true of dogs. Novelty keeps you energised and engaged. 2. Cultivate strong relationships. 3. Draw inspiration from role models. Think Helen Mirren, David Attenborough or even Michelangelo, who rebuilt St Peter’s Basilica in his 80s. 4. Keep brain and body fit by exercising and eating right. 5. Channel Marie Kondo. If something – a job, a friendship, etc – no longer sparks joy, drop it. Streamline to make every moment count. 6. Find a purpose that puts meaning in your life and fire in your belly. 7. Be honest about your age. Lying gives the number a power it does not deserve – and reinforces the myth that younger is always better. Owning your age is the first step to making the most of it. 8. Remain flexible and open to change, growth and evolution. As Lao Tzu put it: “Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.” 9. Ignore the doom-mongers who say sex, love and romance belong to the young: they do not. Make room for all three however you old you are, if that’s what you fancy.  10. If you think growing older will be bad, it will be bad. Be positive and focus on the upsides of ageing: feeling more at ease in your own skin; deeper relationships; more happiness, altruism, creativity, knowledge, experience. 11. Cultivate a sense of humour. Laughing boosts health and longevity.  As George Bernard Shaw put it: ‘You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.’ 12. Think about death. Don’t dwell morbidly on it, but don’t shy away from it, either. An awareness that time is finite gives life shape and meaning – and spurs you to make the most of here and now.  Read about Rethink Aging With Colin Milner

Scams are big business and they’re increasingly targeting seniors, putting them at great risk of losing their assets, their independence and confidence. The lasting trauma of being ripped off can destroy their sense of trust, hope and wellbeing. The shame is overwhelming. “Seniors lost $177 million in 2023 which was an increase from $136.4 million from 2022,”  says Jim Horncastle, spokesman for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) tells Custodia.com. Overall, Canadians lost a staggering $557 million to scams in 2023. The CAFC identifies 30 different types of fraud, and the overall reported loss for the first three months of this year is $123 million. From love and financial scams to fake price and home repair fraud, research reports that seniors (60+) are 33% more likely to get conned by fraudsters compared to other age groups. In particular, the emergency grandparent scam is swindling seniors out of millions. Imagine being home alone and you get a call saying your grandson is in jail! The caller posing as a police officer demands $9,000 cash in bail money, and says not to tell anyone about it. Grandparent scams target older adults That very scenario sent Diane Lindsay of Ingersoll, Ont. into a complete panic; she immediately called her husband Ron who was curling at the time, to go and get the money. “She was told that our grandson was in an accident and drugs were found in the car. The caller knew our names, knew we had a grandson, and claimed to let her speak to him,” Ron, 83, tells Custodia.com.   Ron suspected a scam from the start and drove to his daughter’s house where he found his grandson safe and healthy. The fraudsters brazenly called back a few more times, irate and demanding the money; Ron reported the scam attempts to the police and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The Lindsays are lucky – many seniors fall victim to this scam and others. Recently the OPP put out a warning for Canadians to be vigilant after a senior with dementia lost $600,000 through repeated grandparent scams. She couldn’t remember the situation from the day before. “Do not react to what they say. Tell them you will handle it by calling authorities and hang up,” says Ron. “They’re aggressive and very experienced and have the answers to all your questions.” Swindled out of $75,000 for roof repairs not needed Be leery of all high-pressure pressure tactics and unsolicited offers on the phone, online and shady solicitors coming to your door pitching home renovations. “Better you contact businesses when you need something done,” he adds. Never sign anything on the spot! Beware the friendly fraudster at your door that appears to be knowledgeable and can give you a one time-special price to fix your roof, fence or driveway. They put on the pressure to sign a contract or give a big deposit and do little, poor or no work at all. Toronto retirees Judy Poirier and Robin Rushton ended up getting scammed out of $75,000 by a man who offered to cap their chimney. That $800 fee grew to $62,000 when the workers claimed extensive roof damage requiring structural repairs. The reno quote steadily climbed to beyond $100,000. Apparently, the roof was falling down. They were terrified: “He used the words that there was damp wood, rotting wood, broken wood, mould. The roof was going to collapse. It was dangerous. Winter is coming,” Judy told cbc.ca. The truth is all the roof could have used were new shingles, at a cost of around $8,500. Landlines increase vulnerability to fraud The money paid in bank drafts is gone. “I’m an emotional wreck … I can’t tell you how terrible it is,” Judy told cbc.ca. “I don’t know how, if, we’ll ever be able to build our savings up again.” It’s easy to fall victim to people who impersonate government agencies, grandchildren or other pushy people who quickly elicit trust, including investment, romance and service scammers. And fraudsters are only getting smarter and more sophisticated and employing artificial intelligence and QR Code fraud to steal. According to Horncastle, vulnerabilities in digital platforms are being exploited with “criminals commonly using caller id spoofing, search engine optimization, fraudulent online and social media ads or compromised accounts.” Having a landline makes older homeowners an added prime target. Going on websites like Canada 411 offers loads of information like someone’s phone number, name and address. Scammers search obits and social media for names of grandchildren or relatives which they employ to manipulate seniors. Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics Horncastle reports that victims are being contacted through ads on social media, telemarketing calls or through door-to-door sales persons. Ads on social media will ask for your contact information, and then after sharing, you’ll receive a call to set up an appointment at your home. “Door-to-door sales people can use high pressure tactics and can be aggressive in nature. Consumers may find themselves in a situation where they purchase a product or sign up for a service they neither need nor want,” says Horncastle, and that may come with contractual obligations. “They may claim that the victim is eligible for a grant through a government program and pressure the victim into signing a contract or prepaying for the equipment or services.” Common home service scams include: Scammed home owners end up with work or equipment that is often not worth the price paid, and in some cases that warranties are invalid, he says. “The CAFC has also received reports where victims have signed a contract and a Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) has been placed on their home.” Scammers impersonate legitimate companies Scammers are predatory! “Whether you are getting a phone call, email or social media message always confirm the identity of the person by a different method of communication,” advises Horncastle. For example, look up the official phone number for the company, agency or person and make an outgoing phone call. Fraudsters will often use the name of legitimate companies in order…
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By Joanne Richard. Entrepreneurial Spirit Soaring In Their 70s – Spring is in sight, and with it comes new energy and opportunities, possibly even a different career path and purpose. While some of us are happy to quietly retire and leave the grind behind, other seniors are finding purpose in launching brand new careers. Studies show that what contributes to happiness midlife and beyond is essentially not the size of your bank account, but finding new challenges and opportunities to help fill your emotional bank account. March is a great month for renewal, recalibration, and joyful celebration, including the widely-feted International Women’s Day. So let’s celebrate entrepreneurial wonderwomen who are regenerating and blazing online business trails in their 70s! Forget retirement – Joan Cohen is all about rewiring. The 73-year-old launched her own jewelry company, Ever & Ivy, during the pandemic and is busy building her shiny new brand. Cohen had a series of careers prior to jewelry design, including jobs in the photography and advertising industries, as well as owning a furniture and interior design shop which she sold 20 years ago to spend more time with her family. Throughout her journey, she consistently exhibited an Entrepreneurial Spirit, exploring various avenues and seizing opportunities along the way. Making jewelry was just a hobby until she began to learn goldsmithing – she studied at Fleming College with a goldsmith who taught her the basics of creating jewelry out of sterling silver and gold. She started out by selling her handmade designs at a few specialty boutiques and the odd gallery in Canada, and more recently, scaled to increase volume for her online Ever & Ivy. Described as classically-inspired, architecturally-styled personal adornment, pieces are generally oversized but not in the extreme, she says. “Research tells us that what we wear impacts our brain and can influence mood, emotion, and performance – I offer designs that speak volumes about a person’s personality without ever saying a word.” With her entrepreneurial spirit literally paved in gold and silver, Cohen’s career speaks to the immense benefits of being vital and connected. “I have been incredibly excited to wake up and have this challenge ahead of me every day. My husband and almost all of my contemporaries are retired or winding down their careers, so at times I feel at cross purposes with some. But my husband has been incredibly supportive, which is a huge help in keeping me on track.” Her advice to get on the entrepreneurial track? Don’t let the naysayers get you down. Believe in yourself and take advantage of all of your life experiences to provide creative and practical stimulation. “An extensive study in the U.S. found that the most productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age. The second most productive stage of the human being is from 70-80 years of age, and the third is from 50-60 years of age. The average age of the Nobel Prize winner is 62 years. Don’t waste the most productive years of your life.” Although Cohen doesn’t feel too old in the least to start a business, she says she feels the effect of ageism and the negative societal attitudes to her age. “For that reason, I have been reticent to become the face of Ever & Ivy. I don’t want to pigeonhole the brand’s appeal to only one age group as I believe it has broad appeal.” While Cohen has designs for all ages, Joan MacDonald, 75, is sweating out a new career with a focus on other seniors and motivating them to get fit and feel fabulous just like her. “You can’t turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again,” says McDonald, who has built a following of 1.6 million on Instagram @trainwithjoan, and has launched fully-guided Train with Joan workouts in the app store. The fitness influencer lost close to 70 pounds and gained a wealth of health and energy – and fans. Her amazing transformation and training tips are featured with relentless positivity while wearing trendy body-hugging outfits, which some people have weighed in on as being shameful. McDonald posted: “I think the way a society treats its older population says a lot about that culture. Older people are not shameful.We are not a burden.We do not have to stay hidden.It is my hope that more of us older people shed some light on how to age well, give some real hope to others that it is possible to keep your vitality as you get older, and that older people have something important to contribute to society.” MacDonald is energized by helping others age a better way. Just a few years ago, she got winded walking up a flight of stairs – she was overweight and on multiple meds. The doctor suggested more meds. “My daughter Michelle, who is a transformation coach, was visiting at the time and gave me an ultimatum: change my health with her help or continue to decline. You know what option I picked!” She adds, “I was slowly dying – now I’m living,” and obviously living her best life. “Since making my health a priority, I feel like I can truly live my life versus just endure it. I have the energy to complete everything I want to do, from keeping up with my daughter to travel,” says McDonald, who divides her time between Cobourg, ON, and Tulum, Mexico. She loves sharing her story: “I love seeing others live their best life. I think others would enjoy my story because if this grandma can change, anyone can!” Her advice: Instead of focusing on everything out of your control, focus on what you can do that is beneficial for your life. It may be going for a walk daily, getting eight hours of solid sleep per night, or tracking your nutrition. “Habits propel us in a new direction each day.” And age has nothing to do with your potential,” she adds. “Age is just a number! So much of success…
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This grandma can lift more than you Some grandmothers bake cookies, some crochet, and some still work the 9-5 grind, but not too many can claim to lift more than the weight of most men in their 20s. Meet Edith-Wilma Connor – mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother extraordinaire and Guiness Book of World Records holder. Meet with My Father’s Daughter In May 2012, just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day, Edith-Wilma Connor of Denver, reached for and won an unusual honor for her age.  She was named the Guiness World Records’ “Oldest Living Female Bodybuilder”, after she competed in the NPC Armburst Pro Gym Warrior Classic Bodybuilding Championship. Yes, you read that correctly, at 77- years old then, now 83, Edith-Wilma Connor is a competitive bodybuilder, business owner, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. According to CBS News Sporty Seniors, she won first place in the first competition she entered – the Grand Masters in Las Vegas – on her 65th birthday. It takes some people a number of years to reach this level and some never do, but Mrs. Connor? She was a spring chicken, getting her bodybuilding start in her early 60s, when she thought her data entry job made her too stagnant. Twenty years ago, her data entry business kept her at her desk up to 10-hours a day. She needed to move, so she took up bodybuilding. In last year’s Viera Voice article, in the Senior Living section, Connor explained, “It was a tension releaser. I sit at a computer all day, so it was one way for me to take it out on the weights instead of the employees.” Edith’s routine is simple: In addition to her above routine, she does step-aerobics with her great-granddaughter. Her oldest grandson is her personal trainer, and armed with her own personal trainer certification, she shares her knowledge as a coach for an over-50 group of women with a focus on the mature body. With advancements in modern medical technology, the rise of healthy living at every age, and a new lease on life for independent seniors, we have more time than ever to connect with our elders. We all have goals, aspirations, family and expectations, and we are constantly on the lookout for stories to inspire and drive us. Life doesn’t end at 65, 70 or even 100 for that matter. For some, over 60 is only the beginning. Are you 65 or older and have an amazing story to tell? We want to hear from you. We want to hear stories about seniors that break the mould, think Edith-Wilma Connor 83-year old competitive bodybuilder and Guiness Book of World Record holder. Or maybe someone like Hiroshi Hoketsu, oldest athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, now eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as a horse jockey. These are just a few ideas to get you started. Do you know any amazing older adults that we can feature on our Blog?   Let us know in the comments below. PHOTO CREDIT: Guinness Book of World Records

Blazing trails since the 1960s, Gloria Steinem, at 84 hasn’t begun to slow down. Author, journalist, activist, and speaker her name still commands immediate understanding and you know something big is happening. From the first cover of Ms. Magazine in 1972 to her most recent talk with Barbara Smith of Kitchen Table Press, Gloria remains at the forefront of social and political happenings around the world. At 79, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama, and watches in wonder at the next generation of women leaders. Make no mistake though, Miss Steinem still leads and does not sit the sidelines. Here’s Gloria’s video interview with Barbara Smith at the 2018 Maker’s Conference. For some, it’s an eyeopener, for others, an affirmation. Which camp will you be? Author of nine books, editor and creator of Ms. Magazine, writer for New York Magazine, and political activist, she says of today’s women’s movement, “I’ve never seen this much activism in my life,” referring to gun control activism, the Women’s March and the increasing number of women running for office. “It’s way, way more than anything I’ve ever seen.” Sitting down for a video series on Human Heroes, Alex Spurt, head of creative at Everlane said of Gloria Steinem, “For over 50 years she’s fought on behalf of disempowered and disenfranchised women all over the globe and even now, at 84 years old, she still uses her voice to educate and inspire every day.” Her calendar remains full as she speaks at colleges, continues her writing, interviews other makers, and is looked to as an authority in leadership for women everywhere. Though Kim Jong-Un just crossed the DMZ a few days ago, Steinem and a handful of Korean women did it in 2015. The Women’s March in January 2017, yes, she was there – in the lead. Gloria Steinem is oft quoted, but if you’re a trailblazer, too, we thought this quote fit the bill best, “Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” You’re never too old to follow your dreams or to create new ones. Whatever you want to do, do it. Whoever you want to be, be it. Age is a number, not a state of mind. We are discovering more and more remarkable older adults.  There will not be enough time to catalogue them all but we will keep going and finding people and tactics that will help Older Adults live a better life. With advancements in modern medical technology, the rise of healthy living at every age, and a new lease on life for independent seniors, we have more time than ever to connect with our elders. We all have goals, aspirations, family and expectations, and we are constantly on the lookout for stories to inspire and drive us. Life doesn’t end at 65, 70 or even 100 for that matter. For some, over 60 is only the beginning. Are you 65 or older and have an amazing story to tell? We want to hear from you. We want to hear stories about seniors that break the mold, like our 83-year old competitive bodybuilder and Guinness Book of World Record holder. Or our oldest athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, now eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as an Equestrian. Or Gloria Steinem, woman of vision, political activist, and journalist, still thriving at nearly 85. Do you know any amazing older adults that we can feature on our Blog?   Let us know in the comments below.

Meet Hiroshi Hoketsu – Horseman and Hope for Old Men Eyes 2020 Olympic Games Over fifty years after Hiroshi Hoketsu first took the world stage at the 1964 Olympics, this Japanese Equestrian isn’t just horsing around. He now holds the record – as of the 2012 London Olympic Games – as oldest Olympian ever to compete for Japan, and third oldest worldwide. He shares the distinction with shooter Oscar Swan of Sweden who won the 1920 Olympics and Arthur Von Pongracz who competed in Dressage at 72, Hiroshi’s sport, in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Though the Road to Rio wasn’t in the cards for Hiroshi due to his horse’s health, he’s already eyeing the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo for his best in show.  According to an interview he gave Reuters, when he had to bow out of the 2012 Games, he shared this, “If I can do it and be in Tokyo, that would be marvelous. Four years from now I will be 79 and I have to see if it will still be physically possibleâ€. Now that’s a homecoming! Check out this video of his 2012 London Olympic Games attempt.  He came in 17 of 24. Not bad for a guy in his 70’s! And watch for his return as he pushes 80 in the 2020 Olympics. For many, Olympics is not only their dream, but in preparation, it is their life. Yet, Hiroshi Hoketsu didn’t begin competing internationally until his early 60s, when he retired from his pharmaceutical executive role. It is around this time, he chose to make his home in Germany. From there he moved from show-jumping to dressage, and is affectionately nicknamed, “Hope for Old Men†in Asian media. Life has its stops and starts, its setbacks, and its successes, and Hiroshi takes it all in stride. His personal slogan is, “I will stop riding horses when I can no longer find progress from myself and my horse.” But, to come full circle back to Tokyo in the 2020 Olympic Games? His career will come full circle, a completion, or a new jumping off point for a man who knows age is a number, not a state of mind. We are discovering more and more remarkable older adults.  There will not be enough time to catalogue them all but we will keep going and finding people and tactics that will help Older Adults live a better life. With advancements in modern medical technology, the rise of healthy living at every age, and a new lease on life for independent seniors, we have more time than ever to connect with our elders. We all have goals, aspirations, family and expectations, and we are constantly on the lookout for stories to inspire and drive us. Life doesn’t end at 65, 70 or even 100 for that matter. For some, over 60 is only the beginning. Are you 65 or older and have an amazing story to tell? We want to hear from you. We want to hear stories about seniors that break the mould, think Edith-Wilma Connor 83-year old competitive bodybuilder and Guiness Book of World Record holder. Or maybe someone like Hiroshi Hoketsu, oldest athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, now eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as an Equestrian. These are just a few ideas to get you started. Do you know any amazing older adults that we can feature on our Blog?   Let us know in the comments below.

Celebrating her 84th birthday in Chicago last month, Jane Goodall is a household name in both activist circles, animal rights, and as a stand-out primatologist. But, in 1944, WWII was in its downhill slide and little girls from Britain didn’t dream of Africa. Well, except for ten-year-old Jane Goodall, whose naturally curious and inquisitive nature drew forth a natural scientist, primatologist, activist, and student of the apes. The subject of over 40 films, author of over 25 books for both adults and children, and recipient of over 35 medals and awards – the most recent in 2017 International Cosmos Prize, Jane Goodall is as active today as she was over 50 years ago. Still traveling 300 days a year to support her work with chimpanzees, Africa, and the environment.She’s known for a number of quotes about apes, activism, and primatology, but the one that most embodies her spirit might well be this: “Tarzan married the wrong Jane,” from her speech to Auburn alumni. Quoting this Native American saying, “We haven’t inherited this planet from our parents, but borrowed it from our children.” Jane shows us our world is not a legacy to be left behind, but to be nurtured and cared for – for the generations to come. How do you spotlight a woman of Jane Goodall’s indomitable spirit? How do you begin to lay the foundation of what she’s accomplished, the glass ceilings she’s shattered, and the lives she’s changed – both human and primate in a smattering of words. Much like that ten-year-old, you make your answers come to life, you take the time to learn from books and from others, and you pass along your own knowledge as best you can. Are you an indomitable spirit? Then we want to hear your story – 65, 75, 85 and beyond.  We want to hear stories about seniors that break the mould, like our 83-year old competitive bodybuilder and Guiness Book of World Record holder. Or our oldest athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, now eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as an Equestrian. Or Gloria Steinem, woman of vision, political activist, and journalist, still thriving at nearly 85. The beautiful painting of her above is by Steve Simon Do you know any amazing older adults that we can feature on our Blog?   Let us know in the comments below.

Moses Znaimer knows how to keep up with the times. “40-year olds have 65-year old parents, 30-year olds have 80-year old grandparents. We stand for the solidarity between the generations.”  – Moses Znaimer From his earliest days, he has been a dreamer, a visionary, an innovator, and shows no signs of slowing down. A Champion for Canada’s 15.3 million people over the age of 45, he fights for the right for older adults. Well-known for his actions as the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP), now rebranded as ZoomerMedia – for baby boomers with zip, Moses has stood up for his fellow man, no matter their age, throughout his lifetime. If the sweetness is in the struggle, then Moses Znaimer’s success is the sweeter still considering his humble roots. An immigrant from Tajikistan, Moses was just six years old when his family was forced to flee the German invasion of his Russian home, and they arrived in Canada. It wouldn’t be long before he would find his voice and set his pulse on the shape of things to come. From a displaced persons camp in Germany in the 1940s, Moses would become a media advocate – radio, television, social media, and more – for the people in his adopted country. Known for his outstanding accomplishments in the broadcasting and music industry, he is a media mogul with heart. Though a well-known host and co-host during his years at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), his creative vision could not be constrained. He soon left the CBC and went into private broadcasting. On the Cutting Edge His groundbreaking broadcasting techniques would help define a generation. As the co-founder of the first independent television station in Toronto, he would mark his first steps at being first. Citytv was launched in 1972 after having been awarded the city’s first Ultra High Frequency (UHF) broadcasting license. Inspired by Marshall McLuhan’s mantra, “the medium is in the message”, Moses’ emphasis on a local and hip format aimed at young audiences hit its mark. Just ten years later, he would become the vice-president and executive producer of CHUM, a limited partnership which purchased Citytv. His roles, ventures, and ideas didn’t stop at radio and television, he also envisioned a 24-hour music video station. His vision would be realized in 1984 with the launch of MuchMusic. Followed a few years later by a French language version of MuchMusic based in Montreal. Meet also: Jane Goodall & Bonnie and Frank For over three decades, Moses and CHUM built a television empire. Notable television stations and programs abound under his watch, and the firsts continue. In 1998, Canada’s first 24-hour local news station, CablePulse24 was launched, and taking his firsts streak to Vancouver, oversaw the launch of Citytv Vancouver. In 2003, thirty-one years after his first foray into private broadcasting, Moses Znaimer stepped down from his managerial role at Citytv and CHUM Limited, though he remained on for certain production roles. It would be only a matter of time before he would re-emerge to head up a series of media ventures. His first acquisition, a classical music station he would relaunch under the call sign CFMZ-FM to reflect his initials. Soon, he would add a pop standards AM station in Toronto, once the former transmitter of CBC radio outlet CBL. Moses Znaimer had come full circle back to his broadcasting roots. Fun Fact An avid collector, Moses Znaimer boasts the world’s largest private collection of rare television sets and pop culture memorabilia. His collection began the MZTV Museum of Television & Archive, some 10,000 objects in all, and have graced museums throughout Canada, the bulk of his collection donated to the Cinémathèque québécoise in Montreal. Media Mogul with Heart The founder of Zoomer Media, Moses Znaimer has long been a champion of diversity – long before it was required or politically correct. Inspired by his early beginnings in the post-Second World War Displaced Persons camps, his hiring practices reflect that of Canada’s multicultural, pluralistic society. Throughout his organization, he would place a wide array of ethnicities and physical disabilities in on-air positions. Ali Velshi, Ben Chin, Jojo Chintoh, Sonya Benezra and Monika Deol to name a few, as well as David Onley and Wendy Murphy. He would not hide them behind a desk or behind the scenes. Moses would place them front and center. In the case of David Onley, a polio survivor, who would go on to become Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, Moses would direct the camera to shoot David’s entire body, rather than a talking head. According to Onley, Moses never asked about his disability, until after he’d hired him. In David Onley’s words, “Obviously, what he did was important for my career but, more importantly, it sent a message to TV viewers everywhere that my physical shortcomings were irrelevant. What counted was my ability to do the job.” Founded with You in Mind ZoomerMedia is Canada’s only diversified media company dedicated to creating content, services, and experiences for those 45 and over on all platforms including National and Regional Television, Digital Properties, Trade Shows, Conferences, and the Zoomer magazine. Founded in late 2007, ZoomerMedia acquired the publishers of CARP Magazine as well as the website Fifty-Plus-Net International, two platforms dedicated to those fifty years and over. In his treatise, The Zoomer Philosophy, which appeared in the pages of Zoomer Magazine, Moses addresses and advocates for such topics as the right to a physician assisted death and the legalization of marijuana. Other topics in Zoomer magazine include myth-busting the stereotypes of mature men and women challenging people to look beyond and beneath the surface. CARP (formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons) coupled with Zoomer Magazine (the renamed CARP Magazine) provides marketing, membership, and other services as well as a portal and social networking site targeted to older adult audiences. The ideation behind the social networking site would be similar to social media sites such as MySpace or Facebook. Just ten years ago, at 66 years old, Moses…
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