Fall is traditionally the busiest time of year for me. It is full of education sessions, developing new talks and reconnecting with clients. Recently, a few opportunities have arisen that are paving the way for a tornado of action come January. I'm not going to spill the beans just yet but I'll give hints later.
Anyway, St. Clair College has a great new program starting for those with an eye towards working with older adults. The Social Service Worker - Gerontology program is on deck for the Winter 2010 semester. The Windsor-Essex community NEEDS a program like this...it just doesn't know it yet.
I'm absolutely certain that the knowledge and skill taught in this program will be valuable in a variety of settings. As with any new program, employers in this area will need a bit of time getting used to the idea of hiring Social Service Workers with a Gerontology background. The field placement component of this 2 year program will allow students to get their feet wet before graduating - one of the best incentives for pursuing this certificate, in my opinion.
The other major incentive? Social Service Work is a registered profession in Ontario. Graduates of this program will be eligible for membership with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Sevice Workers. In otherwords, they will be RSSWs. This gives credibility to the program not available in many other college-level programs.
I would love to see some of the folks undergoing career makeovers give serious consideration to this as a field of study, especially if you don't care for the nursing profession but want to access the job opportunities that will accompany aging baby boomers.
Good luck to the class starting in January 2010.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Does summer really have to end?
Summer is almost over...so sad to say. I've been enjoying myself but, while busy in the pleasure of personal pursuits, I've neglected my blog. I'll be back shortly. I can sense the calm before the post-Labour Day storm...but for now, feet are still firmly planted in cool, blue water.
Friday, July 3, 2009
It's a beautiful day.
Today was one of those rare, perfect, sunny and warm, coolish breeze blowing kind of glorious summer days.
Enough said.
P.S. What do you do on days like this?
Enough said.
P.S. What do you do on days like this?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Gratitude journalling.
Today was one of those unexpectedly perfect days. It started off raining cats and dogs...so much so that our dog (a Saint Bernard) was too frightened to venture outside. Slowly the weather changed. Amid the hustle and bustle of a day filled with errands and mom's taxi service, a call came in from hubby saying we had been invited to spend the hot, sunny, afternoon and dinner hour with friends. I was on that like flies on, well, you know, because my original plans for the day entailed housework of the monontonous variety.
Let's just say my housework is still waiting for me. Life is precious. I've heard from many people in many places that "this life of ours is not a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at this." I frequently tell clients to create a gratitude journal where you list 5 things you are grateful for that made today special. Here's my list for today:
1. I'm grateful that my daughter did not have to play soccer in the rain.
2. I'm grateful that we were on time and even early for an appointment.
3. I'm grateful to have found out that our neighbours are indeed installing a 7-hole par 5 golf course in their backyard!!! (it's been killing me to know what they have been up to with all that dirt)
4. I'm grateful to have been invited out for dinner and fun this afternoon.
5. I'm grateful for the luxury of having air conditioning and a pool on a hot day. May I never take them for granted.
Have a good night! I'm off to an early slumber (another source of gratitude).
Let's just say my housework is still waiting for me. Life is precious. I've heard from many people in many places that "this life of ours is not a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at this." I frequently tell clients to create a gratitude journal where you list 5 things you are grateful for that made today special. Here's my list for today:
1. I'm grateful that my daughter did not have to play soccer in the rain.
2. I'm grateful that we were on time and even early for an appointment.
3. I'm grateful to have found out that our neighbours are indeed installing a 7-hole par 5 golf course in their backyard!!! (it's been killing me to know what they have been up to with all that dirt)
4. I'm grateful to have been invited out for dinner and fun this afternoon.
5. I'm grateful for the luxury of having air conditioning and a pool on a hot day. May I never take them for granted.
Have a good night! I'm off to an early slumber (another source of gratitude).
What does Age-Friendly mean?
I had a comment on one of my posts asking what the term "age-friendly" meant in reference to cities, services, etc. Here's the answer I gave:
"It's a concept whereby communities make changes designed to allow for the inclusion of all citizens in an active, healthy lifestyle as they age. That can mean changes in infrastructure, policy, protection of the vulnerable, housing options, accessibility, etc. In 2007, the World Health Organization published a framework encouraging communities world-wide to become more age-friendly. For some light reading, you can read the report here: http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Global_age_friendly_cities_Guide_English.pdf
June is Seniors Month in Ontario. The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat chose Age-Friendly Communities as their theme for Seniors' Month this year. The Ontario Gerontology Association also chose Age-Friendly Communities as the theme for its annual conference this year. Do you see where I'm going with this? There is momentum a-brewin'.In an ideal world, the end result of an age-friendly community is a community that is accessible and supportive of people of all ages and abilities."
"It's a concept whereby communities make changes designed to allow for the inclusion of all citizens in an active, healthy lifestyle as they age. That can mean changes in infrastructure, policy, protection of the vulnerable, housing options, accessibility, etc. In 2007, the World Health Organization published a framework encouraging communities world-wide to become more age-friendly. For some light reading, you can read the report here: http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Global_age_friendly_cities_Guide_English.pdf
June is Seniors Month in Ontario. The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat chose Age-Friendly Communities as their theme for Seniors' Month this year. The Ontario Gerontology Association also chose Age-Friendly Communities as the theme for its annual conference this year. Do you see where I'm going with this? There is momentum a-brewin'.In an ideal world, the end result of an age-friendly community is a community that is accessible and supportive of people of all ages and abilities."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
What do cherry trees and Italy have to do with the economic downturn and retirement?
For many nearly and newly retired folks who took a hit in the economic downturn, a new perspective is needed when clarifying your vision of what retirement will look like.
If your vision of retirement looked included years of globe trotting around Europe with signifcant time spent in your vacation home on the Italian coast and your new bank balance says that's a 'no go' - think again. I encourage you to evaluate your dreams and goals to discover what is at their core. What key elements of that dream were important to you? With our Italian villa scenario, it may be that the love of exploring along with a passion for Italian culture and cuisine were the main elements. Maybe it was the idea of having a vacation property to escape to, or being near the water.
I was once working with a couple, we'll call them John and Mary, who religiously visited the Washington area each year to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring. It was an important part of their yearly planning that they didn't want to give up. When John developed health issues that prevented him from travelling more than short distances by car and not at all by plane, they were both devistated. They thought his health limitations limited the happiness they could feel when it come to their trip. We had a talk about what elements of this ritual were at the core of their enjoyment - why did they thrive on this vacation each year? For them, it was a few things: time together; the idea of having a tradition; beautiful cherry trees. After some brainstorming and some calling around, they found a farmer about a 30 min drive from where they lived who had rows of cherry trees. John and Mary plotted their route and decided that a scenic drive paired with an afternoon spent walking amongst the rows of cherry trees at that local farm and a well-deserved ice cream cone at a roadside drive-in gave them all the same essential elements that they had always enjoyed. It was their same old tradition with a modern twist.
Let's take a look at the dream of retirement in Italy and tweak it to match the reality of a redefined budget. Depending on the core elements of enjoyment, here are some very possible alternatives:
LOVE OF EXPLORING - take a wine tour, garden tour or unplanned road trip around the province with no destination in mind.
PASSION FOR ITALIAN CULTURE - Have an Italian community in your area? Become a regular. Visit Italian cultual clubs to see if they offer special events. Rent movies that highlight Italy. Decorate your home in a Tuscan style. Find out if there are cultural festivals in your area. Listen to Italian music. Take a language class.
ITALIAN CUISINE - Visit a different Italian restaurant each month. If there aren't many in your area, commit to trying different dishes each time you go. Take a class. Invite some friends over for dinner and try some new Italian dishes. Ask an Italian friend to share his/her cooking secrets.
HAVING VACATION PROPERTY - If a European villa is out of your league, a local cottage or trailer in an RV park may not be. Renting a cottage is a great idea, too. The inventory of cottage rentals has grown since the recession began as cottage owners, who can't sell their investments, decide to rent them out.
BEING NEAR THE WATER - Become a beach bum and spend the summer hitting all of the beaches in your area, canoeing the rivers, fishing the lakes or floating aimlessly in a rubber dingy - just don't forget your life jacket. You don't have to drive far in the great lakes region to be near water. Go on, get your feet wet! When's the last time you went hunting for sea shells?
Combine all of these ideas and you have yourself a pretty busy retirement plan that's not too hard on the wallet.
If your vision of retirement looked included years of globe trotting around Europe with signifcant time spent in your vacation home on the Italian coast and your new bank balance says that's a 'no go' - think again. I encourage you to evaluate your dreams and goals to discover what is at their core. What key elements of that dream were important to you? With our Italian villa scenario, it may be that the love of exploring along with a passion for Italian culture and cuisine were the main elements. Maybe it was the idea of having a vacation property to escape to, or being near the water.
I was once working with a couple, we'll call them John and Mary, who religiously visited the Washington area each year to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring. It was an important part of their yearly planning that they didn't want to give up. When John developed health issues that prevented him from travelling more than short distances by car and not at all by plane, they were both devistated. They thought his health limitations limited the happiness they could feel when it come to their trip. We had a talk about what elements of this ritual were at the core of their enjoyment - why did they thrive on this vacation each year? For them, it was a few things: time together; the idea of having a tradition; beautiful cherry trees. After some brainstorming and some calling around, they found a farmer about a 30 min drive from where they lived who had rows of cherry trees. John and Mary plotted their route and decided that a scenic drive paired with an afternoon spent walking amongst the rows of cherry trees at that local farm and a well-deserved ice cream cone at a roadside drive-in gave them all the same essential elements that they had always enjoyed. It was their same old tradition with a modern twist.
Let's take a look at the dream of retirement in Italy and tweak it to match the reality of a redefined budget. Depending on the core elements of enjoyment, here are some very possible alternatives:
LOVE OF EXPLORING - take a wine tour, garden tour or unplanned road trip around the province with no destination in mind.
PASSION FOR ITALIAN CULTURE - Have an Italian community in your area? Become a regular. Visit Italian cultual clubs to see if they offer special events. Rent movies that highlight Italy. Decorate your home in a Tuscan style. Find out if there are cultural festivals in your area. Listen to Italian music. Take a language class.
ITALIAN CUISINE - Visit a different Italian restaurant each month. If there aren't many in your area, commit to trying different dishes each time you go. Take a class. Invite some friends over for dinner and try some new Italian dishes. Ask an Italian friend to share his/her cooking secrets.
HAVING VACATION PROPERTY - If a European villa is out of your league, a local cottage or trailer in an RV park may not be. Renting a cottage is a great idea, too. The inventory of cottage rentals has grown since the recession began as cottage owners, who can't sell their investments, decide to rent them out.
BEING NEAR THE WATER - Become a beach bum and spend the summer hitting all of the beaches in your area, canoeing the rivers, fishing the lakes or floating aimlessly in a rubber dingy - just don't forget your life jacket. You don't have to drive far in the great lakes region to be near water. Go on, get your feet wet! When's the last time you went hunting for sea shells?
Combine all of these ideas and you have yourself a pretty busy retirement plan that's not too hard on the wallet.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SLOWLY but surely.
I was invited to be part of a local working group partnering with the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/seniors/) to hold a one day forum in Windsor, Ontario sometime this fall. The focus of this forum will be to encourage this area of the Province to be come AGE-FRIENDLY.
It's not that strategies haven't been attempted in the past, because they have. They've just met with limited or no success. My hope is that these forums will bring the needed pressure on the powers-that-be to make significant strides in this area.
Hamilton, Ontario, for example, is on the brink of claiming Age-Friendly status. They have been working to this end for some time. Toronto is heavily invested in this idea as well. Windsor? Not so much.
It's no longer a case of being ahead of the curve. If Windsor-Essex and all it's 'retirement destination' dreams do not act promptly, they will find themselves, quite solidly, at the back of the pack.
It's not that strategies haven't been attempted in the past, because they have. They've just met with limited or no success. My hope is that these forums will bring the needed pressure on the powers-that-be to make significant strides in this area.
Hamilton, Ontario, for example, is on the brink of claiming Age-Friendly status. They have been working to this end for some time. Toronto is heavily invested in this idea as well. Windsor? Not so much.
It's no longer a case of being ahead of the curve. If Windsor-Essex and all it's 'retirement destination' dreams do not act promptly, they will find themselves, quite solidly, at the back of the pack.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Moses Znaimer shares A New Vision of Aging in Canada
Moses Znaimer, Executive Director of CARP, stopped in Windsor yesterday to share "A New Vision of Aging". In honour of his visit and the recent removal of an age barrier to CARP membership, I became a CARP member! Now, you might expect some elaborate ceremony followed by a pin of some kind and maybe a modest amount of pomp and circumstance but, alas, all I received was the receipt I printed from my computer after my online membership order was confirmed.
I'm always interested in presentation style. I wasn't sure what to expect from "Moses" (as he requested he be called by audience members) in terms of a presentation because he IS a media mogul, afterall. I've seen all kinds of styles but nothing quiet like this. He didn't actually SPEAK at all...well, at least not in the traditional sense. What he did do was present a powerpoint/slideshow/embedded video and music concoction. It was well put together, of course.
The presentation focused on a couple themes; what is a zoomer?, zoomer demographics, Moses' media efforts to promote the new image, his Canada-wide tour of CARP chapters, and the race to a million CARP members. The arguments were compelling and, whether you agree with his style or the slick new Zoomer mag or not, you can't fault the idea of a cohort organizing to advocate for it's distinct needs and desire for inclusion.
The presentation concluded simply with the words "Any questions?" and Mr. Znaimer quietly walked up on stage and began taking questions from the audience. After the Q&A period, the event ended and he graciously stood and answered questions from a lengthy queue of folks wanting to bend his ear. If this man doesn't spend a significant amount of time meditating then I want to know what his secret is. He has the most calm and comfortable demeanor.
I was pleased to have been part of the audience and would love to see CARP achieve it's goal of 1 million members. Think about it: www.carp.ca
For more on his visit: http://www.windsorstar.com/News/Znaimer+vision+aging/1636950/story.html
I'm always interested in presentation style. I wasn't sure what to expect from "Moses" (as he requested he be called by audience members) in terms of a presentation because he IS a media mogul, afterall. I've seen all kinds of styles but nothing quiet like this. He didn't actually SPEAK at all...well, at least not in the traditional sense. What he did do was present a powerpoint/slideshow/embedded video and music concoction. It was well put together, of course.
The presentation focused on a couple themes; what is a zoomer?, zoomer demographics, Moses' media efforts to promote the new image, his Canada-wide tour of CARP chapters, and the race to a million CARP members. The arguments were compelling and, whether you agree with his style or the slick new Zoomer mag or not, you can't fault the idea of a cohort organizing to advocate for it's distinct needs and desire for inclusion.
The presentation concluded simply with the words "Any questions?" and Mr. Znaimer quietly walked up on stage and began taking questions from the audience. After the Q&A period, the event ended and he graciously stood and answered questions from a lengthy queue of folks wanting to bend his ear. If this man doesn't spend a significant amount of time meditating then I want to know what his secret is. He has the most calm and comfortable demeanor.
I was pleased to have been part of the audience and would love to see CARP achieve it's goal of 1 million members. Think about it: www.carp.ca
For more on his visit: http://www.windsorstar.com/News/Znaimer+vision+aging/1636950/story.html
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A name of my own
Boomer, Zoomer, Senior Citizen , Elder, Older Adult, Chronologically Gifted, Individual with High Seniority?
What do you prefer your cohort be called? I know as a professional working with the 50+, we struggle to come up with a term that suits. 'Older Adult' has become the accepted. Not that I love labels, because I'm certainly not a fan, but they can become necessary when trying to advocate for the distinct needs of a population.
Give me some guidance, here.
What do you prefer your cohort be called? I know as a professional working with the 50+, we struggle to come up with a term that suits. 'Older Adult' has become the accepted. Not that I love labels, because I'm certainly not a fan, but they can become necessary when trying to advocate for the distinct needs of a population.
Give me some guidance, here.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What do your grandchildren call you?
It seems the new trend, and I've noticed it among the new grandparents in my life, is to come up with a perfectly personal version of the old fashioned "Grandma or Grandpa" label.
Apparently, Boomers no longer feel those names fit what they consider to be their role as parents once removed. In fact, one friend pondered for months while her grand-child-to-be was on the way. She finally settled on "Grand-E" because her first name began with E.
This article http://tinyurl.com/r3y2at will give you some suggestions if you're at a loss. Have fun with it and let me know what your grandkids call you! By the way, do you have another name for your grandchildren? A friend of mine calls them, fondly - of course, her 'grandmonsters'.
Apparently, Boomers no longer feel those names fit what they consider to be their role as parents once removed. In fact, one friend pondered for months while her grand-child-to-be was on the way. She finally settled on "Grand-E" because her first name began with E.
This article http://tinyurl.com/r3y2at will give you some suggestions if you're at a loss. Have fun with it and let me know what your grandkids call you! By the way, do you have another name for your grandchildren? A friend of mine calls them, fondly - of course, her 'grandmonsters'.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Are you a member of twitter nation?
I recently joined the twitter nation by signing up for a twitter account. At first, I didn't get the big deal. Afterall, it's just like the status line from facebook but it's ONLY your status...in 140 characters or less. I began studying the different ways users applied twitter and discovered that my preferred use is not the intended use.
Do not "follow me" if you want to know what I had for dinner or what television programs I'm switching between. Do not "follow me" if you want me to know much of my personal information at all. DO "FOLLOW ME" if you want links to current information that is of interest to seniors and caregivers in the Great Lakes region of Canada.
P.S. I think it's an interesting commentary on popular media that Ashton Kutcher has more followers than CNN Breaking News and can single-handedly raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for his charity of choice with a single Ding Dong Ditch dare. http://http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/14/cnn.kutcher.prank/index.html
Hope to see you there!
www.twitter.com/thriveology
Do not "follow me" if you want to know what I had for dinner or what television programs I'm switching between. Do not "follow me" if you want me to know much of my personal information at all. DO "FOLLOW ME" if you want links to current information that is of interest to seniors and caregivers in the Great Lakes region of Canada.
P.S. I think it's an interesting commentary on popular media that Ashton Kutcher has more followers than CNN Breaking News and can single-handedly raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for his charity of choice with a single Ding Dong Ditch dare. http://http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/14/cnn.kutcher.prank/index.html
Hope to see you there!
www.twitter.com/thriveology
Pamphlet now available.
I just put the finishing touches on the Thrive pamphlet. I do like it but I'm sure I'll keep tweaking it before each printing. I love the colours. Especially the woman on the cover. She has the most gorgeous eyes!
Monday, May 4, 2009
First downsizing, now "downskilling"??
I think I've just invented a word. It's not the first time for that, nor shall it be the last. Downskilling is a trend I've noticed with little proof other than a hunch. Within the healthcare and residential care sector, I've noticed nursing positions that were once deemed to require candidates with a certain set of credentials has now been given some slack to include those one or two rungs down the ladder. For example, Registered Nurses (RNs) are being replaced by Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). RPNs are being replaced by Personal Support Workers (PSWs), etc.
The other day I received the proof I need from a friend who boldly announced via his Facebook status that he was removing the City of Thunder Bay from his Christmas card list because they were doing just this very thing with their City-run long term care facilities. http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/Default.aspx?cid=7892
You don't have to be a healthcare insider to know that funders are tightening the purse strings, expecting more from less, and want lots of positive 'outcomes' for clients. Maybe I'm blind to it all, but I really don't think so. I just don't see how this is going to benefit either care recipients or their providers.
P.S. Apparently I did NOT invent the word downskilling. Here's the official definition: Downskilling© refers to a process of reducing the talent or skill level of a position, job, or vocation primarily for the purpose of decreasing short-term cost (see this guy for more info http://pswisdom.com/?p=514 )
The other day I received the proof I need from a friend who boldly announced via his Facebook status that he was removing the City of Thunder Bay from his Christmas card list because they were doing just this very thing with their City-run long term care facilities. http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/Default.aspx?cid=7892
You don't have to be a healthcare insider to know that funders are tightening the purse strings, expecting more from less, and want lots of positive 'outcomes' for clients. Maybe I'm blind to it all, but I really don't think so. I just don't see how this is going to benefit either care recipients or their providers.
P.S. Apparently I did NOT invent the word downskilling. Here's the official definition: Downskilling© refers to a process of reducing the talent or skill level of a position, job, or vocation primarily for the purpose of decreasing short-term cost (see this guy for more info http://pswisdom.com/?p=514 )
Welcome to me!
Thrive is a new adventure of mine and so is blogging. I'll tell you all about it once I get the hang of this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
