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| September 2018 – Issue 3 |
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The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education’s tri-annual newsletter on enhancing and enriching the aging journey is for older adults, those that work with older adults, or have other roles in the field of gerontology.
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 Featured Guest Writer: Pamela Hitchcock
Pamela Hitchcock is a retired professor from Ryerson University who was instrumental in establishing Programs for 50+ at The Chang School of Continuing Education back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At that time, there were very few opportunities for older adults to become truly engaged in later life learning.
 In 1970, I joined Ryerson’s School of Urban and Regional Planning, where my interests included planning for older adults. To enhance my interests, I received a certificate in Gerontology from The Chang School of Continuing Education. During this time, I also became interested in Elderhostel, now known as Road Scholar, and for several years I organized two one-week programs at Ryerson.
In the early 1980s, I joined a committee established by Ryerson University’s former president, Walter Pitman, to explore how older adults could take courses or participate on campus. Due to the overwhelming public interest in the courses available for older adults, I was hired part-time by The Chang School to advise participants and assist with registration. Based on participant and faculty input, a series of four six-week courses were designed. The program was called “Seniors’ Studies” which explored a wide range of topics and was offered to people aged 60+ at a minimum cost. The program became increasingly popular and began attracting attention from other universities. As a result, I was invited to speak at various conferences on older adult education.
During a conference in the late 1980s, a professor spoke enthusiastically about his program where courses were self-directed and moderated by older adults. Shortly after bringing the idea back to Ryerson University, I learned that the North York Board of Education had a similar idea. Given Ryerson University’s central location, we decided to merge our ideas. A year later, with support from Elderhostel, Ryerson University began offering self-led and self-moderated courses for older adults in a new program named the LIFE Institute.
Currently, the LIFE Institute has well over 2,000 students and offers over 70 courses per term, as well as several social activities throughout the year, including access to a variety of clubs, guest lectures, and other events. Meanwhile, students of the Seniors’ Studies program were taking theatre courses under the direction of Vrenia Ivonoffski from the Ryerson Theatre School. Students not only wanted to act, but they also wanted to write, produce, and present plays about older adults. As a result, the ACT II STUDIO, a theatre school and drama centre was established in 1992.
The ACT II STUDIO has grown into the Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO and accepts almost 350 registrations annually. It produces a number of plays during the year on topics related to health and aging. The LIFE Institute and Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO are both part of Programs for 50+ at The Chang School of Continuing Education.
Although, I officially retired from teaching and administrative duties in December of 1994, I continue to be actively involved in programs for older adults at Ryerson University, by taking courses offered through Programs for 50+.
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 Happenings at The Chang School
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Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion Program
The Chang School is launching Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion, a new group of courses designed to help individuals acquire the skills to understand, develop, and implement policy and organizational change in areas impacted by accessibility and inclusion requirements.
The first course, Accessibility and Compliance Awareness (CVAS 100), will launch in Fall 2018 and will be available online.
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Caring Clowns and Conversational Connections
Caring Clowns is offered by Programs for 50+ and provides a unique, hands-on experience that trains volunteers to bring cheer to residents in long-term care homes. Caring Clown I, the first course in this program will run on Thursdays from November 22 2018, to December 13, 2018.
Conversational Connections is a year-round joint program between Programs for 50+ and English Language Support (ESL) at Ryerson University. The program matches international, exchange, and first-generation students with older adult volunteers to give students an opportunity to practice their conversational English, inside and outside of the classroom environment.
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 Upcoming Events & Programs
Older Adults Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) 2018 Aging Well Conference
The OACAO Aging Well Conference is a professional development opportunity that offers workshops and keynote speakers, many interactive networking opportunities, and a winning tradeshow featuring products and services related to older adults.
Aging Well Conference: Turning Vision into Action
Date: October 29-30, 2018
Location: Hilton Mississauga
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Programs for 50+ Music Program Concert Series
Kicking off on October 28, 2018, the Music Program Concert Series will explore various musical genres through performances and lectures. The first installment will be Jazz: Improvised Art, Improvised Life.
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Idea Exchange
On October 24, 2018, Programs for 50+ will launch the Idea Exchange. This new program will be a place for stimulating conversations and connections. Each session will be centred on a particular theme and will feature a special guest presentation, followed by a discussion, and a chance to network.
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Theatre Superstitions for the Curious and Daring
On October 30, 2018, just in time for Halloween, the Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO will be hosting a lecture called “Theatre Superstitions for the Curious and Daring.” This event will discuss the ghoulish past and creepy present of the curses of the stage.
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Going to the Movies
Programs for 50+ is planning to re-launch its film program with two new offerings. On Sunday afternoons, from November 18, 2018, to December 9, 2018, Deeper into Movies will analyze four films from classic to contemporary North American and British cinema, in relation to a specific political or cultural theme. On Saturday afternoons, from November 3–24, 2018, Eye on Foreign Films will dive into well-known international titles, as well as less-recognized gems to examine the triumphs, trends, and talents that dominate international cinema in the new millennium.
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50+ Lecture Series
A true favourite, the 50+ Lecture Series reboots this fall, bringing topical and thought-provoking lectures by renowned guest speakers on issues of importance to today’s older adults. On September 23, 2018, Executive Director of Pride Toronto, Olivia Nuamah, will be speaking about Acceptance is a Work-in-Progress: The Past, Present, and Future of the LGBTQ+ community. On October 21, 2018, Nathaniel Brunt, scholar of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, will discuss how his photography critically examines the history of Kashmir.
For more information on any of the above-mentioned events and programs, email Programs for 50+ at programsfor50plus@ryerson.ca or visit the Programs for 50+ website.
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National and International Awareness Months
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September:
October:
November:
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 Did You Know?
10 Myths about Aging
In the following article, author Kathy Gottberg, addresses 10 common myths about aging, and gives us the real scoop on living as an active and productive older adult.
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Unlocking the Mysteries of Dementia
Researchers at Ryerson University are attempting to unlock the mysteries of dementia by developing a retina scan that is designed to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. With support from Ryerson’s Biomedical Zone, this innovation is contributing to the field of aging and memory.
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Resources
Unpaid Caregivers
The Ontario Caregiver Coalition (OCC) provides a listing of provincial and federal organizations and agencies that offer resources and support for unpaid caregivers.
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Elder Abuse Directory of Programs and Services
The Elder Abuse Ontario Directory of Programs and Services offers a database to assist seniors, families, caregivers, and service providers with the appropriate support and programs for older adults who have experienced or are at-risk of abuse.
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A Guide to Programs and Services for Older Adults
The Ontario government’s Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors provides information on resources available for older adults in Ontario, including tax credits, healthcare programs, caregiving, housing, driving, and staying safe.
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Programs for 50+
Are you interested in meeting new people, building new skills or enhancing existing ones, and remaining active during your retirement? Explore the various courses offered through The Chang School’s Programs for 50+, including dramatic and liberal arts courses and the Caring Clowns program.
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Aging and Gerontology Certificate
The Chang School’s Certificate in Aging and Gerontology provides an opportunity for professionals such as nurses and social workers, or anyone supporting or caring for older adults, to learn about gerontology and the field of aging.
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 Feedback
Is there a particular topic you would like to read about in our next newsletter? Was there something you found informative in this edition?
Contact Accessibility Project Manager, Darren Cooper at d5cooper@ryerson.ca to share your thoughts and suggestions.
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