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| September 2019 – Issue Six |
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The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University’s tri-annual newsletter on enhancing and enriching the aging journey 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: Alex Procope
It should come as no surprise that alongside the world’s shifting demographics, a specialized field of elder law has developed. This area of law is not commonly known, and this may simply be a result of its universality. As adults age, the laws and regulations that apply to everyone will also apply to older adults. An elder law focus is distinct because it views the law and its application to older adults from anti-ageist and anti-ableist perspectives. We take this approach throughout Ethical/Legal Frameworks in Aging (CINT 935), one of the required courses for The Chang School’s Certificate in Aging and Gerontology.
“The content reviewed in the course alongside the case assignments provided me with knowledge and resources that I can confidently apply in real-world situations.”
– Alexander Bergen, Current Student, Certificate in Aging and Gerontology
As many professionals and service providers work with older clients, this course was first offered in the Spring 2019 term to provide a solid foundation in the various legal concerns that are of particular importance for older adults, including the following issues:
- rights and remedies for discrimination based on age and disability
- how the law addresses mental capacity
- informed consent to personal care
- property management of persons found to be not legally capable of managing property
- what legal systems are in place to prevent elder abuse
The challenge in trying to focus on how older adults are treated by the law is the fact that ageism, by its very nature, downplays the importance of their rights. For example, a colleague of mine described walking into her mother’s hospital room to discuss a recent health issue. The nurse immediately started conversing directly with my colleague rather than her mother and asked my colleague to consent to a medical treatment, as if her mother did not have a voice for herself. That conversation did not go far, because my colleague and her mother understood their healthcare legal rights. Unfortunately, the public is less likely to understand what should happen in these difficult situations. Imagine the response from an adult patient if a doctor turned to the patient’s 18-year-old son for treatment consent! The situation becomes absurd if the ages of those involved are simply reduced by a couple of decades.
Ideally, through greater awareness, ageism and its intersection with ableism will eventually be eradicated. I hope that paying some attention to elder law will help us get there.
Alex Procope is a lawyer and partner at Perez Bryan Procope LLP. Alex’s practice concentrates on capacity, guardianship, and power of attorney matters. He has frequently been appointed as Counsel in high-conflict family disputes, and he has a passion for elder law and civil rights litigation. He has been teaching about ethical and legal issues in aging at The Chang School since May 2019.
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 Happenings at The Chang School
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Conversational Connections
Conversational Connections is a year-round joint program between Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement at The Chang School and English Language Support 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 outside of the classroom environment.
Conversational Connections recently received a New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) grant, which will be used to foster a face-to-face and online community where volunteers can get to know one another and share ideas and resources. For more information, contact Sandra Kerr, Director, Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement at 416-979-5000, ext. 6979, or at skerr@ryerson.ca.
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 Upcoming Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement Courses and Events
Caring Clown Course Series
Do you want to embark on a unique and purposeful learning experience? Through three courses, the Caring Clown course series trains older adults in clowning techniques and provides an understanding of aging and the dementia process, as well as an on-site practicum at one of the 10 Toronto long-term care homes. Students find their work truly rewarding and see wonderful results with these older adults.
Fall 2019 Caring Clown Information Session
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Heaslip House, 297 Victoria Street, Room 303
To RSVP, email programsfor50plus@ryerson.ca or call 416-979-5103.
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50+ Singers
Embrace your inner performer by becoming a member of the 50+ Singers. This course is your opportunity to join a fun and lively group that loves to sing. New members are always welcome, and each term concludes with a public singing performance. Classes take place on Mondays from September 16 to December 2, 2019.
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Singing Level 1 Course
Whether it’s in the shower, around the house, or in the car, everyone enjoys singing. From October 2 to December 4, 2019, Singing Level 1 is your opportunity to come out each Wednesday and learn to sing! Ear training, online supports, and lots of practice time make this the perfect course to develop your voice.
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Science Literacy Week Public Talk: Oceans
In celebration of Science Literacy Week, Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement, in partnership with the SciXchange at Ryerson, will present a thought-provoking public talk focusing on the complexities of the world’s oceans.
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Times: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Location: Heaslip House, 297 Victoria Street, Room 303
To RSVP, email programsfor50plus@ryerson.ca or call 416-979-5103.
For more information on any of these courses or events, email programsfor50plus@ryerson.ca or visit the Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement website.
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 Spotlight on Aging and Gerontology
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Fall 2019 Instructor Profiles
The Chang School’s Certificate in Aging and Gerontology will offer a number of courses in the Fall 2019 term. With a new academic year underway, we would like to introduce you to the instructors who will be teaching these courses.
Amy Clements-Cortes, PhD, RP, MTA, MT-BC, FAMI, NMT-Fellow (CINT 901 - Gerontology: Critical Issues and Future Trends)
Amy has extensive clinical experience working with clients from across the lifespan, with a specialty in older adults, dementia, and palliative care. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, including “Voices of the Dying and Bereaved,” and has given over 100 conference and/or invited academic presentations. Amy is the past President of the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), Managing Editor of the Music and Medicine journal, and the former President of the Canadian Association for Music Therapists. Amy currently serves on the editorial review boards for nine international journals, including the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Elizabeth Kelson, PhD (CINT 945 - Technology and Aging Populations)
Elizabeth is a social gerontologist who has taught in aging and gerontology at The Chang School since 2014. She is committed to innovative, inclusive teaching methods that help to encourage and excite students about the field of gerontology. Elizabeth has a Post-Baccalaureate and MA in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia. Elizabeth was also a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia and UBC School of Nursing from 2014–2016.
Paula David, PhD (CINT 950 - Practicum/Project in Gerontology)
Paula is a gerontologist with a BA in Art History from Queen’s University, an MSW focused on Community Development from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Social Work with a Certificate in Gerontology. Her research and expertise focuses on the impact of war and early-life trauma on aging survivors. She has published extensively and lectured internationally on this topic as well as a range of issues related to aging. Paula sits on a variety of academic advisory committees, and is a board member of three community-based social service organizations.
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Canadian Association on Gerontology 2019 Conference: Navigating the Tides of Aging Together
Join the Canadian Association on Gerontology for their 48th annual scientific and educational meeting. Don’t miss your chance to participate! CAG2019 is accepting Latebreaker Abstracts until Monday, September 16, 2019. Visit the CAG2019 website for further information on this exciting event.
Date: October 24–26, 2019
Location: Delta Hotels by Marriott Beauséjour
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
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 Local, National, and International Awareness Days and Months
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September
October
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 Did You Know?
The Truth About Age
It is time to expand the definition of aging and study the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours towards the concept of “age” more broadly. As a result, this is not a traditional aging study that focuses on the 65+ audience. The Truth About Age is a piece of comprehensive global research that explores aging throughout the ages.
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Are Schools Doing Enough to Identify and Stop Ageism?
“Changing kids' views about older adults can help combat stereotypes.” In this thought-provoking article, author Kevyn Burger explores how educators can tell the story of aging in a respectful and knowledgeable manner, while at the same time asking, are schools doing enough to identify and stop ageism?
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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 safety.
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Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement
Are you interested in meeting new people, building new skills, enhancing your existing knowledge, and remaining active during your retirement? Explore the various options offered by The Chang School’s Programs for 50+ and Community Engagement, including:
The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO
This theatre program and creative drama centre provides adults 50 and older with a positive, supportive community in which they can learn, create, and perform. Visit The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO website for more information.
LIFE Institute
Take courses and join study groups on a broad range of topics that include politics and international affairs, history and cultural studies, music, film, and art history. Find out what it truly means to live LIFE to its fullest. Visit The LIFE Institute website for more information.
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Certificate in Aging and Gerontology
The Chang School’s Certificate in Aging and Gerontology provides an opportunity for all professionals who have older adult clients to learn about gerontology and the field of aging.
New for Fall 2019: Five of the courses in the certificate are now available as degree-level credits. Visit the certificate website for more information.
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Course Series in Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion
Do you want to make a meaningful contribution to increasing inclusion and accessibility? The Chang School’s new Course Series in Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion will expand your knowledge about policy and organizational changes and allow you to optimize accessibility in your workplace and community.
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 Feedback
Is there a topic you would like to read about in our next newsletter? Was there something you found informative in this edition?
Contact Darren Cooper, Accessibility Project Manager, at d5cooper@ryerson.ca to share your thoughts and suggestions.
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