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Monday, November 15, 2010

Italian nonni gain cyber skills to stay connected to family and friends

From AARP's Global Network

8/9/2010
Maria Corsino

This is the dawning of the age of cyber-nonni. With Italy’s graying population, a new generation of silver surfers are increasingly becoming connected with technology and with the rest of the world.

Many are learning because some family member or friend helped them, or because they have taken advantage of community programs or initiatives like Nonni su Internet” (in Rome), Alpha 2.0 (in Parma) and senior classes at universities.

Data from Istat reveals that from 2005 to 2009, the demographic of Italians age 60 to 74 registered the most growth among computer users — about an 80% increase (Key4Biz.it 7.24.10). And despite their more limited access to technology, the number of Italians over 60 who use a computer and access the Internet has increased by about 16% during those four years. Still, the most active cyber-nonni are between the ages of 60 and 64. They use computers for sending and receiving emails (78%), looking for information on goods and services (66%), learning (65%), reading or downloading newspapers (51%), searching for health news (48%), shopping (22%) and making phone calls (13%) or video calls (11%).

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The power of music: The world's oldest Holocaust survivor

A testament to the power of music in preserving health: watch this segment from the upcoming documentary "Dancing Under the Gallows", by Oscar Winning director Malcolm Clarke. The movie features Alice, the oldest Holocaust survivor at age 106, who is a classical pianist. Her, and others', description of the role that music played for them during the Holocaust is amazing - it's a long clip, but definitely worth the time.

You're never too old to be a Virgin (employee)!

The title of this blog post was too good not to borrow - Richard Branson writes about the importance of thinking of creative ways to maintain employment of older workers here.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

"Shock of Gray"

This is an interesting interview with the author of the new book, "Shock of Gray", Ted C. Fishman. A journalist, Fishman has put together predictions for how global aging will impact the world. One interesting point: while the article begins with the issue of global aging as a problem, Fishman doesn't necessarily respond to the interviewer's questions in that way. Rather, Fishman highlights the potential opportunities created by the aging world population, and attitudes toward aging. I'm definitely going to pick this one up.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Centenarians Tell Their Stories

Check out this article in the New York Times focusing on the secrets of successful aging from centenarians (or almost-centenarians).

Monday, October 11, 2010

Use It or Lose It: New Evidence

This article in the New York Times has some interesting points about the value of staying in the workforce later in life. The earlier someone retires, the worse they tend to do on laboratory tests of memory.

Retirement, however, doesn't need to mean a lack of engagement in life, or a loss of cognitive stimulation - though it's a convenient stand-in for those variables in this research study. More interesting would be if the researchers examined the day-to-day activities of the study participants for more than just if they engaged in paid employment. Volunteer work, participation in clubs and other groups, and continued engagement in a vibrant cognitive and social life are all likely to be correlated with better cognitive performance - whether or not they involve paid employment.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Event at SERC: Embrace the Moment: Why Creativity Matters to Our Health

Please join us for an engaging presentation by Susan Perlstein, founder of Elders Share the Arts (ESTA) in New York City and founder of the National Center for Creative Aging in the U.S. Susan will discuss the significance of "creative aging" in relation to everyday life. She will also present findings from a study she collaborated on with Dr. Gene Cohen that has provided evidence of positive health benefits associated with involvement in arts and cultural programs. Ms. Perlstein will discuss three developmental themes characterizing the field of arts and aging: arts and lifelong learning, arts and community engagement, and use of the arts in social service and health care settings. Susan will conclude with recommendations for moving the field of arts and aging forward in the coming decades.

Date: Thursday, October 28th, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON
Room number: J102 (Sheldon Levy Centre)

Refreshments will follow the presentation. This event is complimentary but seating is limited.

Please RSVP no later than Thursday, October 21st to Pat Spadafora
Tel: 905-845-9430, ext. 8615, or pat.spadafora@sheridanc.on.ca

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

International Day of Older Persons - October 1st

Friday, October 1st is the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP). This day marks a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution of older persons world wide. It also provides us with a time to reflect about what each one of us can do to improve the quality of life for older adults and to realize our goal of being a society for all ages.

If your organization has plans to honour IDOP, we'd love to hear about your plans. Please let me know at pat.spadafora@sheridanc.on.ca or by phone at 905-845-9430, extension 8615. We will post your planned activties on the Aging Matters blog.

Friday, September 3, 2010

In the News: Alicia Alonso

Have a look at this article from the New York Times about Alicia Alonso. She gave her final performance at the age of 75 and is a fine example of older adults remaining physically active. Ask us about your own dance research at SERC and the amazing team of Sheridan dance teachers!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

In the News: The Science of Aging Brains

Here's an article that appeared in Newsweek about the science of the aging brain. Timothy Salthouse, the scientist's work discussed at the beginning, is a powerhouse in the area of aging; this is definitely a must-read for anyone interested in the changes that occur in the brain due to aging.

In the News: Researchers Seek Ways to Minimize Muscle Loss in Older Adults

For those familiar with our dance project, this article will only underscore the importance of what we're trying to accomplish at SERC.

In addition to weight-lifting exercises and possible prescription interventions, dance has enormous potential to regularly involve older adults who might not otherwise participate in traditional physical activity - and can be modified for any ability level. We're entering our third phase of pilot research in our dance project where we're involving older adults at a supportive housing site in Burlington. For more information, please check out our website!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Adaptive Technologies Showcase

This event may be of interest for those in the Burlington area:

Adaptive Technologies Showcase
Saturday, September 18th

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Presentations
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Visit displays and demonstrations

Centennial Hall, Central Branch, Burlington Public Library
(for directions to the library, click here)

Learn how technology can enhance life for children and adults with disabilities or limitations due to aging. There are so many products now available—from communication devices such as talking clocks and assistive telephones to computer aids, software, and reading aids.
Try out some adaptive technologies and find out how to get funding for them. Call 905.639.3611 ext. 134 for program information.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Storytelling and Poetry in Later Life

Ellen Ryan, Professor Emeritus at McMaster University in Gerontology, has created two fantastic websites for those interested in storytelling and poetry for older adults:

WritingDownOurYears.ca features:
  • A book series (10 books in Writing Down Our Years)
  • A blog (Aging with Spirit - a link will be on this blog)
  • Available workshops
  • Ellen's academic and professional articles for downloading
  • Resources on writing, life stories, and creativity in later life; aging with spirit; and communication and aging
CelebratingPoetsOver70.ca is a site that presents poems selected from 1100 submissions written by poets after the age of 70 years. The contents of the 2010 anthology Celebrating Poets over 70, edited by Marianne F. Vespry and Ellen, can be browsed and the volume ordered.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

CDRAKE: Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange

Check out this website for the Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange. It's full of useful resources and information about upcoming conferences and events relevant to dementia. Dr. Ken LeClair, SERC board member, is the research lead for this initiative.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Older adults using YouTube

This is a perfect example of how you're never too old to use technology. Check out Geriatric1927's channel on YouTube - he's a prolific vlogger, and has some great posted videos about older adults using computers.

In the News: Washington Post - Older and Smarter

Check out this collection of articles from the On Success series in the Washington Post. Each explores how increased age is an asset in success - whether it's the experience needed to solve difficult issues, or the wisdom gained from a life lived.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Welcome to the SERC blog!

Why does the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) need a blog?

  • The topic of aging is everywhere in the popular media. We frequently run across newspaper articles, YouTube videos, and other media that we feel would be interesting for people involved with SERC. This is an easy way to immediately share the news that we feel is interesting and/or important to older adults.
  • In addition to email and snail mail, this is a quick way to let people know about upcoming research opportunities and educational outreach events at SERC.
Two important parts of the blog so far:
  • Our Movies & Munchies update. Every month, SERC is hosting a movie and discussion event where we'll show a movie featuring older adults. After the movie, we will discuss the way that older adults and aging were portrayed - both the positive and negative. We'll post here what the upcoming movie of the month will be.
  • SERC is reading... Some sites we keep up with are constant sources of interesting links and stories about the issues of aging. This list will be comprised of these sites - so you can read what we are reading. The first up: The New Old Age blog from the New York Times.