Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada, Together.
Toronto Public Library (TPL) is the busiest urban public library in the world and a leader in delivering innovative services to its customers of all ages and backgrounds. In October 2020, TPL and CanAge partnered to strengthen each organization’s ability to support and better serve seniors. The goal is to develop more opportunities for seniors to learn, contribute to their communities and build an age-inclusive city.
The first stage of this partnership is the launch of an Educational Speaker series: Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada, Together. All talks are delivered virtually by TPL and will educate and empower older adults, and their caregivers, on a broad range of critical issues affecting their lives. The first set of talks are listed below. Further events will be added throughout the year.
Visit the TPL website for more information about Toronto Public Library, programming and events.
View the complete Educational Speakers Series schedule on the TPL Programs site.
Upcoming Educational Speaker Series Sessions
Past Educational Speaker Series Sessions
Modifying Your Home and Vehicle to Age in Place
Date: April 25 , 2022
Most older Canadians have stated that they want to age in place instead of living in a care facility. However, in many cases the house they live in today is not the house they’ll need in a few years.
By making simple to moderate modifications to your home and vehicle, you’ll be able to maintain your freedom and independence, continued employment, and quality of life. If you live in Ontario, March of Dimes (MOD) provides special funding to help make this happen.
At this presentation, learn about MOD’s Home and Vehicle Modification Program. Jason Lye, Vice President of Community Support Services will talk about how to apply for funding, what types of modifications are covered, and who is eligible.
This Live & Online session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and is part of ‘Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada, Together’: an educational speaker series brought to you by CanAge and TPL.
Mapping Your Aging Journey: Five Practical Strategies for Aging in Place
Date: March 15 , 2022
A recent study revealed that the vast majority of Canadians – fully 78% – want to stay in their current home as they get older, but only 26% think they’ll be able to. What do older adults have to consider, and what has to be put in place before it’s too late to live at home? What are the latest approaches to shared housing in Canada, and who ultimately decides which supports are best for you?
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Sue Lantz, Founder and Managing Director of Collaborative Aging. This workshop guides participants through her practical five-strategy framework for planning a healthy and socially connected aging experience in the community. The workshop will showcase ideas and tools available within the Options Open guide for considering (and even co-creating) options. Participants will learn how to be proactive in making transitions, and make informed and timely plans that allow for more choice while aging in place.
This session is part of Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada, Together: an educational speaker series brought to you by CanAge and Toronto Public Library. View the complete series schedule.
Healthy Sleep
Date: February 25, 2022
Sleep plays a vital role in our overall health. As we age, however, our sleep changes. Perhaps it’s harder for you to fall asleep? Perhaps you find yourself getting tired at different times of the day? Issues such as stress or anxiety might impact your ability to get the rest you need. This session invites you to learn about the importance of sleep as we age and what research tells us about sleep when it comes to our mental health, learning and memory.
This session is moderated by Diana Cable, Director of Policy and Research, CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Dr. Charles Morin, Canada Research Chair in Sleeping Disorders, and Hugo Jourde, neuroscientist from Coffey Lab: Audition, Sleep & Plasticity.
This session is part of Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada, Together: an educational speaker series brought to you by CanAge and Toronto Public Library. View the complete series schedule.
New Approaches to Aging at Home
Date: January 25, 2022
More than 90% of Canadians want to age in their homes. However there can be challenges to successfully aging at home including rising costs while living on a fixed income or social isolation and loneliness. Luckily, there are innovative solutions. This session invites you to learn about two exciting ways to age at home: intergenerational home sharing and shared home ownership.
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Louise Bardswich, one of the pioneering Golden Girls of Port Perry, and Jackie Tanner, National Manager at Canada HomeShare.
Cannabis and Older Adults
Date: December 15, 2021
Canadians aged 65+ are the smallest but fastest growing group of cannabis users. Exciting research is being conducted exploring how cannabis might be used in areas such as dementia and pain management for conditions such as arthritis. Older people are embracing cannabis and it is key that they are able to make informed decisions. This practical session addresses common questions about cannabis, drawing on expert knowledge and leaving you better equipped to make the right choices for you.
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Marilyn White-Campbell, Clinical Geriatric Addictions Specialist with Baycrest Long-Term Care Behavioural Support Outreach teams and Dr. Siân Bevan, Chief Science Officer at the Arthritis Society.
Fake News: Identify and Ignore
Date: November 23, 2021
A 2019 study showed that people 65+ shared about 7x as many ‘fake news’ articles about the 2016 US election on Facebook. A 2020 article identified digital literacy as a possible intervention to close the ‘digital divide’ and increase the ability of older people to recognize fake news.
The news landscape has changed; this session empowers participants with the knowledge they need to quickly identify false information online, and how to break the cycle of perpetuating harmful ‘fake news.’
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Dr. Ahmed Al-Rawi, Assistant Professor of News, Social Media, and Public Communication at Simon Fraser University and Janet Mowat, Programs Manager at ABC Life Literacy Canada in a lively discussion about this important topic.
Caregiver Survival Guide: What you Need to Know
Date: October 26, 2021
Canada has a caregiving crisis.The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the tragic shortage of paid caregivers and the essential role family and unpaid caregivers play in reducing the burden on our health care system. Canada has approximately 4 million self-identified family caregivers to an aging parent, with a third of them spending 10 or more hours a week providing care.
This session engages and empowers participants who are or may become caregivers, with practical tips and expert advice on self care, coping strategies and how to connect with supports.
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features Amy Coupal, CEO of The Ontario Caregiver Organization and and Ron Beleno, an active advocate for dementia, caregiving, aging, and research communities.
Using Technology to Fight Dementia
Date: September 21, 2021
Innovative technologies represent an exciting cutting edge solution to support people living with dementia and their caregivers, expanding the possibilities for living a meaningful, dignified life alongside this increasingly common cognitive disease. In this session, learn about innovations in smart homes and robotics, an innovative screening tool for Alzheimer’s disease and how a music program brings joy and meaning to participants living with dementia.
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features guest speakers Scott Russell, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Eliav Shaked, CEO of RetiSpec and Dr. Alex Mihailidis, CEO and Scientific Co-Director of AGE-WELL.
Fighting Fraud: Avoiding Scams
Date: July 20, 2021
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse. During COVID-19 scams have multiplied and rates have skyrocketed so it is more important than ever to equip older Canadians with the information and skills to detect and avoid scams today. This session will review trends in scams and empower participants with knowledge to successfully navigate these treacherous waters with expert advice.
This session is moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and features guest speakers Chris Allum, Senior Advisor, Investor Engagement and Stakeholder Partnerships at the Ontario Securities Commission and Tom Cheel, Senior Support Unit Volunteer, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Retiring Well: How to Protect Your Savings
Date: June 22, 2021
Financial security is a vital ingredient to the well-being of older Canadians. With 4 in 10 Canadian senior households carrying debt, and COVID-19 underlining the need for financial resilience, sound financial decision making is more important than ever. This session taps into expert advice about topics such as debt management and estate planning to empower participants to take control of their financial well-being.
This session will be moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and feature guest speakers Laurie Campbell, Consumer Credit and Money Expert, and Sara Plant, President and CEO, Managing Director; Scotiatrust and MD Private Trust at Scotiabank.
Power of Attorney 101
Date: May 27, 2021
The power to make decisions for a loved one as a Power of Attorney (POA), especially on financial and health-related issues, is an enormous responsibility. Many people who become new POA’s, struggle to find the information and support they need to make confident decisions on behalf of those who entrust them. This session arms you with helpful information in key areas related to being an effective POA, including capacity, consent, and working with health and financial institutions.
This session will be moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, an expert in elder law and CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization) and feature guest speaker Kimberly A. Whaley, CS / LLM / TEP Certified Specialist In Estates and Trust Law and CanAge Fellow.
Stop the Stigma: Ageism
Date: April 21, 2021
Ageism (discrimination based on age) is not only all too common, but also commonly misunderstood. Check out this lively discussion to get a handle on what ageism is, the different ways it can impact older people from all walks of life, and how media representations can hinder or help the fight against ageism.
This session was moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization), and featured Dr. Amanda Grenier, Norman and Honey Schipper Chair in Gerontological Social Work at the University of Toronto and Sandra Cunningham, Producer and founder of Strada Films and Supervising Producer on Kim’s Convenience.
Using Technology to Stay Connected
Date: March 23, 2021
This talk gives you an exciting opportunity to hear from two leaders in the fields of technology and aging: Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Scientific Director of AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging network, and Michael Tamblyn, AGE-WELL’s Chief Entrepreneur and CEO of Rakuten-Kobo. The session was moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization).
Using technology to stay socially connected has never been more important. Social isolation and loneliness, already a problem affecting many older Canadians, has become an even more urgent matter during lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the recording of this empowering educational talk and learn how to use digital technology to stay connected with your loved ones and community, helping to prevent anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other harmful effects of isolation.
Talk Resources
VOICES of Canada’s Seniors: A Roadmap to an Age-Inclusive Canada
Adult Vaccinations: Which ones to get and why?
Date: March 15, 2021
Our immune systems get weaker with age, putting us at higher risk for severe health outcomes caused by the flu, pneumonia and shingles. Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is the best way to stay safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet most older adults aren’t immunized against the most common preventable diseases. Watch the recording of this empowering educational talk and learn which vaccines to get, when and how, to take control of your health and age ‘your way’.
This session was moderated by Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge (Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization), featuring Dr. Kumanan Wilson, Senior Scientist, Clinical Epidemiology Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute as well as Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, International Speaker and Author focusing on Healthy Aging and Preventive Healthcare, Board Member of Immunize Canada and Assistant Professor at University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Talk Resources
Dr. Kumanan Wilson – Presentation
General Resources on Vaccination:
Immunize Canada “Adult Vaccination Schedule”
VOICES of Canada’s Seniors: A Roadmap to an Age-Inclusive Canada
Champions for Change: Vickery Bowles, City Librarian
In this powerful series, President & CEO, Laura Tamblyn Watts hosts fireside chats with influential and inspiring people who work tirelessly in the field of aging. They make remarkable progress that benefits all Canadians.
This episode of CanAge Conversations – Champions for Change, Laura Tamblyn Watts sat down with Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library to speak about Vickery’s journey to becoming City Librarian, the important role libraries play in community, digital literacy for seniors, the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, the Toronto Public Library Foundation and so much more.
Partner Highlight: Vivien Brown
Dr. Vivien Brown, MDCM, CCFP, FCFP, NCMP, is a family physician with a busy practice in Toronto. She is a pioneer and tireless advocate on a national and international scale about the need to raise awareness about women’s health issues and preventative healthcare, and healthy aging. She recently took part in a CanAge educational speaker series: Aging your Way: Creating an Age-Inclusive Canada.
Dr. Brown’s presentation was about healthy aging and preventative healthcare. Our immune systems get weaker with age, putting us at higher risk for severe health outcomes caused by the flu, pneumonia and shingles. Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is the best way to stay safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet most older adults aren’t immunized against the most common preventable diseases.
Her new book, The NEW Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging, 8 Proven Ways to Keep You Vibrant, Happy & Strong is available on Amazon.com & Amazon.ca as well as bookstores and at www.drvivienbrown.com
Connect with her on:
Twitter @drvivienbrown
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drvivienbrown/
Website www.drvivienbrown.com
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