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Saturday, March 29, 2014

The End of Mandatory Retirement in British Columbia


Intergenerational Equity Politics:[1]
A presentation by me.

  Keep in mind that Mandatory Retirement was abolished from Canada some years ago.

      According to Michael Ignatieff,  “ Rights represent our attempt to give meaning to values we most care about---dignity, equality, and respect.[2]   While Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom originally focused on the importance of group equality, in respect to limited resources, current political climate favors protection of personal choices and “… the personal is rapidly becoming political as a major shift in the workforce looms.”[3]
         The conflict over the control of limited resources has a long history.  In the distant past, it appears that the elderly were particularly vulnerable in cultures that placed high values on youth and strength.  In a modern example of a similar relationship, the Supreme Court of Canada once supported the argument that mandatory retirement was essential in Universities so that they could have access to new thinking generated by a younger generation faculty. Another example is that individuals over the age of 65, in British Columbia at least, had little or no protection under the civil rights legislation.
         The tension between generations is framed as a “generational equity debate.” This debate was focused on questions about whether or not seniors were consuming valuable government resources at the expense of future generations.  Ellen Gee referred this as “Apocalyptic Demography “[4] In the context of work this could describe seniors as holding on to valuable positions at the expense of their juniors.

      Tension between generations is a natural process. The young are more often ready to change, and encourage older workers to rethink their positions, while seniors raise important questions using the wisdom of their experience.  If there is a healthy tension and open discussion both can be changed by the process.
         Intergenerational relations became increasingly tense as the younger looked into the future of their earning capacity and the use of society’s resources.  They wanted to get as far as they could and have security for themselves in old age.  Many of them believed that they would not reach their parents standard of living.  At the same time it could not be automatically assumed that older workers had adequate cushions, if and when the retired and people over 65 had few rights.  Both “sides” were fuelled by the fear that they would be short charged.
         The value involved in this debate expressed as. “What does one generation owe the next?” It is one of intergeneration reciprocity. At its core, the generational equity debate appears to be about winners and losers.  It assumes the relationships can never be balanced; that the debate is really battle.
         Women have a special interest in this debate.  In 1950 women constituted only 20% of the workforce in Canada.  By 2005 they reached 46%  (I couldn’t find any 2014 data).  They also have less traditional career paths than men.  On the average, they start later, drop out for family care reasons most frequently and, because they live longer, over the length of their retirement they get smaller pension benefits.
       On the other side, ending the obligation to retire at 65 was thought to lead to stronger valuation and forced departure at an earlier age.  This could be unsettling to younger workers.
          Recent Immigrants may face similar problems.  Many arrive in Canada as middle aged or older adults. The time it would take to reach Mandatory Retirement might not allow to time to build a pension fund, especially since many of them faced lower wages than their Canadian counterparts.
         Betty Freman has reported that mandatory retirement was initiated in the U.S. during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, because the elimination of older workers created positions for younger employees, this suggests that from the beginning mandatory retirement was about corporate succession planning.

         Retirement in Canada emerged gradually as an effect of industrialization.  According to Snell[5], retirement increased greatly with the introduction with the Old Age Security Act of 1951 and as firms became bigger and less able to meet the needs of older workers.  Also, senior workers had moved to the top of the ladder and management required a cut of point to expenses.  The arbitrary point of 65 was determined to be that point.
         As mandatory retirement slipped in Northcot reported it and Millken indicated that “…many British Columbia employers have a policy of mandatory retirement linked to their pension plans.  In addition, Section 13 of British Columbia’s Human Rights Code states that age is a characteristic that cannot be used to refuse the continuation of employment.   In Section 3 of the code however, this age discrimination stipulations referred to pension or employee insurance plans.  Further, the Charter allows “discrimination” under certain circumstances:” While things are not perfect they are better than they were.
         The primary purpose of this essay was to explore the some of the major generalization equity issues involved in post secondary teaching; the problem of an “aging academic work force” 
         When I retired from the Psychology Dept at Kwantlen Polytechnic University I had reached the age of 72; after mandatory retirement had been eliminated.

 







[1]    This article was never published.  I sent it around but no one was interested.  Or perhaps it just wasn’t good enough. Now that I have my own blog, I have decided to bring it into public.   I will be very interested it some of you have something to say.
[2] Ignatieff, (2000) , The Rights revolution, House of Anasi Press.
[3] For more on historical accounts in generational conflict see “Framing the generational equity debate, Williams J. B., Watts-Roy, D.M. & Kingston Eds Columbia University Press, 1999.
[4] In the “overselling of Population Aging” Ellen Gee. & Gloria Gutman  Eds In Oxford University Press
[5]  Snell, J.C.  The Citizen’s wage: The State and the Elderly in Canada, 1900-1951 Vol. 22 p.286

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Ageism and Health Care Providers


About Ageism and Health Care Providers[1]

This article explores research about ageism and “…how ageism is still having a detrimental effect on healthy aging… It is argued that for a long-lasting change to occur, service providers need to directly target, these negative attitudes in themselves, their professional institutions, their clients and their communities.”

As early as 1947 the world health organization defined health as “…a complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease.”  In 1986 Welfare Canada defined health in terms of “quality of life which included the opportunity to make choices and gain satisfaction from living despite functional limitations, suggesting that health is a domestic process of interation between individuals and their communities. (Which reminds me that this weekend I need to do canvassing in my neighborhood for donations to the Canadian Cancer Society.)

Among the important factors are diet and exercise. It has been reported that  “Diet and exercise have significant effects on carbohydrate metabolism osteoporosis, cholesterol levels, diabetes, blood pressure, respiratory functioning, and hydration.”

There are also emotional factors.  For example a longitudinal study in Sweden “…revealed that death rates increased by 48 percent for men and 26 percent for women within the first three months after losing their spouse.”

There are also some cognitive factors; for example the sense of control. “ A sense of control results from the belief that certain actions will lead to certain results and the conviction that one has the capacity to produce those results. But keep in mind that “ Successful aging cannot be equated with total independence and lack of reliance on others.  (Hummm, here comes my wife whom I am working with to fix the upstairs bathroom floor.)  This leads to a note on self-esteem.
A review of literature by the author found that “…correlates the of self-esteem unique to older adults were health status and attitudes toward aging.”    For more information go to the original article.



[1]  Grant, Linda (1996)  Health and Social Work, Vol. 21 Issue 1

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

How to Retire: Happy, Wild, and Free

The following material was gathered from the book How to Retire, Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement wisdom that you won't get from your financial advisor  by Ernie J. Zelinski
             
       Strong Signs That you are not ready for retirement

  •  You have been unhappy all your working life and have been waiting for retirement to make you happy.
  • You have no nest egg because you have been expecting a big lottery win to fund your retirement dreams.
  • Planning a vacation is more fun than taking it.
  • Vacations have always taken a back seat to work commitments.
  • You have not hobbies or other outside interests outside of work.
  • Your best friends are people you work with and that you don't like all that much
  • All the social functions are work related.
  • The thought of spending a lot more time at home with your spouse makes you extremely  anxious and dejected.
  • Your spouse has always wanted you to get a life outside of work, but you haven't gotten around to it.
  • You don't know the meaning of  sabbatical, let alone having ever acually ever taken one.
  • On weekends your spouse constantly complains about you getting into his or her hair
  • You persistently look at work, even when you are not on the job.
  • You are proud to be a workaholic even though you know that workaholics  aren't that productive.
        Exploring these ideas can be quite helpful

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Early Stages of Ageism


About The Early Stages of Ageism[i]

         The information presented in this post was gathered from the research article listed below.  Those of you who have previously looked at posts on this blog will know I am very interested in the study of Ageism.  The article is good in it’s description of the ways ageism may begin.  First there are characteristics, both positive and negative, displayed in research article. The respondents, all college students, were asked to check the terms they think describe the elderly. They were asked if an elder lived with them or had ever lived with them. If they said yes they were asked to describe how the elder related to them using the postive and negative items listed below, They were also asked how they think they will feel when they reach 75 years old and if it worried them.  Since I will be 75 in Oct I can tell you that the world is still a wonderful place. Now here are the characteristics.

Positive: 1.  Knowledgeable 2. Enjoy Company
3. Sociable 4.Pleasant 5.Sharing 6. Important 7. Helpful
8.Educable 9.Independent 10.Healthy 11.Open to Ideas.
12.clean.  
Negative: 1.Hard of hearing 2.Poor Vision 3. Dependent 4.Grouchy 5. Narrow Minded 6. Sickly 7.Withdrawn 8.Noneducable 9. Self-Centered10.Ignorant 11. Avoid Compan12. Get in the way 13.Unimportant 14. Dirty.
.
(These below are now listed in order of the percentages of being, starting with the most mentioned in descriptions.)
1.  Poor Vision.  2. Hard of hearing 3. Dependent 4. Sickly 
5. Grouchy 6. Self-Centered 7. Narrow Minded 8. Gets in the Way
9. Unimportant 10.Noneducable 11. Withdrawn
I suggest that you explore this is your own family
.

(Next week I intend to report another study entitled “Looking into the Future:  How possible aged selves influence prejudice toward older adults.




. Mosher-Ashley. (1999.) Attitudes of college’s students Toward Elderly Persons and their perception of themselves at age 75. Educational Gerontology, 25, pp.89-102.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Retire Successfully in the Personal Domain


How Accomplished People Retire Successfully In the Personal Domain[1]

The book concentrates on those persons in the United States between 1946 and 1964. So this is making comment about people between the age ages of 49 and 67.

First:   “What I can say is the idea of who you are, what it means to be you, and how happy and satisfied you are, are the most personal truths you hold.  I will not, and cannot, try to change your ideas of who you are.  I will attempt to share with you the benefits of knowing, questioning, and improving yourself.”

Next:  “Your self is much like a cake, made up of many parts, including (in the case of a cake), flour, suger, milk, eggs, flavorings, and other ingredients.  The ingredients may be constant, but it is the baker who makes the cake.  To understand your self you need to know about the many “ingredients” from which you are made.  Once you know yourself, you can blend your personal, social, physical, and financial dimands into an integrated whole that is greater than the sum of it’s parts.”

“So: How would you describe yourself?
·   Spiritual, caring, energetic, curious, fun
·   Ugly, unfriendly, miserable, loud, smart
·   Caring, introverted, creative, polite, analytic
·   Solid, creative, thoughtful, curious and bold
·   Happy, compassionate, friendly, spiritual
·   Wife, grandma, organized, smart, friendly
·   Independent, strong, adventurous, young, powerful
·   Six feet three inches tall
·   Handsome, tall, dark successful, liar
·   Happy, funny, reliable, creative, sensual
·   Honest, irritating, annoying, faithful. Overweight
·   Stormy, mighty, scholar, disturbed, contained
·  Taller than most my age

   Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




[1]  This information was gathered from BEYOND WORK. It was written by  Bill Roiter.  It was published by John Wiley & Sons CANADA . The book has 8 chapters.   ISBN  978-0-470-84094-8.  Material of this post is from Chapter Seven, entitled The Personal Domain

An Early Definition of Ageism


An Early Definition of Ageism[1]


Kalish (in 1979) “…argued that this new ageism typified by the claims:

“…that ‘we’ understand how badly you have been treated, that ‘we’ have the tools to improve your treatment, and that if you adhere to our program ‘we’ will make your life considerably better.  You are poor, lonely, weak, incompetent, ineffectual and no longer terribly bright. You are sick, in the need of better housing and transportation and nutrition, and we— the nonelderly and those elderly whom align themselves with us and work with us – are finally going to turn our attention to you, the deserving elderly and relieve you from ageism.”

Contents

Part 1 Origins of ageism
1. Introduction: Too old at 58
2. Ugly and useless: the history of age prejudice
3. Another form of bigotry: Ageism gets on to the agenda

Part 2   Aspects of Ageism
4. The government of old men: Ageism and power
5. The imbecility of old age:  The impact of language
6.  Get your knickers of, granny: Interpersonal relations
7.  Is it essential?:  Ageism and Organizations

Part 3   Rethinking Ageism
8. Theories of Age
9. No more ‘elderly’, no more old age




[1] Kalish, R. (1979)  The new ageism and the failure models;  a polemic, The Gerontologist  19 (4)  398-402.  Found in the book Ageism: Rethinking Ageing produce by Bill Bytheway in 1995  ISBN  0-335-19176 2(hb)  OPEN UNIVERSITY PRESS

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Old Age, Gender and Employment


Old Age, gender, & Employment: A scenario

           First the Story: Susan, a sixty-year-old widow, recently completed a degree in business management and opened her own business. She has been looking forward to this new challenge.  She has been looking forward to this new challenge.  She has just heard that her son has been left with two small children to care for.
    She is considering two options:  1. She can plan to give up her business and live with her son, or she can arrange for financial assistance for her son to cover child-care costs.

Q’s: 1.  What should Susan do and consider in making her plans and 
        2. What additional information is needed?

     In thinking about the answer use the following wisdom process
1.   Recognizing existence of a problem
2.   Defining the nature of the problem
3.   Thinking about information related to the problem.
4.   Formulating a strategy for solving the problem.
5.   Setting apart resources to solve the problem
6.   Being aware of what’s going on in the problem

7.   Evaluating feedback regarding the problem

Monday, March 17, 2014

Considering Retirement??????


Understanding the Retirement Process

         Here is a definition of retirement,  “When we realize that we are no longer in the work role that we have come to identify with.”  After retirement we expect to have economic support without holding a job.” My Family gets enough to pay our bills. We also have more opportunity to manage our time.  It’s ok to work part time and engage in activities like developing retirement workshops and producing information on the Internet (chuckle).

         Some have suggested that retirement is a move from the ‘work ethic, to the “busy ethic” which is the idea that our lives should be active and full. This includes leisure activities that go beyond self-indulgence. I love it when people visit Art with Wrinkles
         Another element is the ideas that in retiring we go through several phases that start out with the honeymoon phase in the beginning and termination at the end
        
         But when it comes right down to it instead of trying to figure out what stage we are in; how we are feeling about where we are at and how we interpret or retirement is the most important.  For example do you think about retirement in favorable or unfavorable terms?  Are you happy or sad, angry or accepting, anxious, fearful or optimistic?

         For those of you who have been retired for a while, have there been changes in how you feel?

         One factor present in our experiencing including both work and retirement is Stress!!.  Over the past several years I have become more aware of my stress and sometimes what’s triggering it. I am now regularly meditate and this is doing a good job of reducing stress.  Here is the information I have regarding my retirement blog’.
1. Between 2010 and 2014 I have had 5.423 visit from all over the world.
2. I have had 2,125 visits from 49 of the United States
3. I have had 1,741 visits from Canada.
4. I have had at least one visit from 97 other countries.


My Art with Wrinkles blog has had a much fewer number of visits. But that’s ok.  Art, painting and poetry are just fun to make.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Ageism in Canada: Brief Report




Ageism In Canada: Brief Report

      A long time ago while Kwantlen Polytechnic University was still Kwantlen University College a former student of mine Yongjie Yon and I began our journey into the study of Ageism.   Yongjie is now continuing up the ladder to his PhD.  We used Dr. Palmore’s Ageism Survey for research purposes. Those of you who have been following my blog will know who and what I am talking about.
         First we gathered data from senior’s recreation centers in suburban British Columbia. The following 2007 we expanded our research to cover the rest of British Columbia.  One major pattern involving six items appears to reflect attacks on relational self-esteem. Lesser correlations were found involving employment, humor and victimization. The study discussed below is a step toward understanding the prevalence of ageism experiences in Canada.
         Here’s how we did it. 1.  Robert Butler (1969) first coined the word Ageism and defined it as “ another form of bigotry” and “a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people because they are old.”  According to Erdman Palmore ageism is different that other types of “ism” such as racism and sexism because unlike them ageism may effect everyone or at least everyone who lives long enough. Palmore also told us that there are positive and negative manifestations of ageism, in general it has negative consequences to seniors.
         At the time we did the research much less work on the subject had been done in Canada than the United States. In our British Columbia 1study were recruited in two different samples.  In the first sample we gathered 598 Surveys (respondents aged 55+) from local seniors and Community Centers in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.  The Second wider sample recruited 815 (55+) seniors from a wide base ranging from COSCO senior’s organizations, several recreations centers, a senior’s trailer park and a Province-wide Senior’s newspaper, the Seniors Connector.  We used Palmore’s 20 item survey that displayed on other of my blog posts)



 Discussion: Some examples of what we found:

    Item_______Event_____________________________Average %
1.              Told jokes making fun of old people                        68
2.               Birthday card that makes fun of old people            50
12.              Assumed ailment caused by my age                      42
 5.               Patronized and “talked down to” because of age   37
 3.               Ignored and not taken seriously                              36
10.             Treated with less dignity and respect                      29
18.             Told “You’re to old.”                                                 29
17.             Assumed could not understand because of age     27
16.             Assumed deaf because of age                                26
 4.              Called an insulting name because of my age          23
11.             Waiter ignored me because of my age                    19
14.              Denied employment because of my age                18
15.              Denied promotion because of my age                    13
  9               Rejected as unattractive because of my age          12
  7.              Difficulty of getting a loan because of my age          9
  8.              Denial of leadership because of my age                   8                 
13.              Denial of medical treatment because of my age       7
20.              Victimized because of my age                                  4          
19.               Home vandalized because of my age                      4 

 6.                Refused rental housing because of my age             2                 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Is this Ageist Behaviour ?


Janet, an employer, wants to hire someone for a strenuous job that requires a lot of training, which will take place over the course of several years.  The applicant that appears most qualified is 57 years old; however, Janet is concerned that the applicant will not be able to handle the physical demands of the position in the long run.   Further she is concerned that the applicant will only continue working for several more years before she retires. Does Janet hire the person anyway?  What advice would you give Janet?


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

More About Ageism: Gender and Ageism


                    More About Ageism: Gender and Ageism[1]

First, here is an excellent definition of ageism.  “Attitudes, beliefs, and conceptions of the nature and characteristics that are prejudicial, distorting their actual characteristics, abilities etc.” Next is a report on age discrimination and gender.  I think this is important because it help’s us recognize ageist behaviour.  It is interesting that on only one item below, rental housing, are the men, on the average, treated worse than the women. 
                                                     Percentage reporting at least once

      _______________________________________Males %  Females %
1.  I was ignored and not taken seriously because of my age.          23.5               31.2
2.  I was given a birthday card that makes fun at old people.             18.1               81.9 
3.  My house was vandalized because of my age.                               17.6              76.5
4.  I was called an insulting name because of my age.                         43.7              55.3
5.  I was patronized and “talked down to” because of my age.             25.6              37.4 
6.  I was refused rental housing because of my age.                              80.0              20.0
7.  I was rejected as unattractive because of my age.                            33.3              64.7
8.  A waiter or waitress or waitress ignored me because of age.          33.5             66.6
9.  I was denied employment because of my age                                    28.3             70.7
 10.  I was denied a promotion because of my age                                    24.5             73.5
 11.  I was victimized by a criminal because of my age                             19.0              76.2  

Inte Intrestingly, the article listed below also explores ageism among people with different levels of 
edu education and ethnicity.




[1]  This material was gathered from Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective organized by Nancy Hooyman and Asuman Kayax    ISBN 0-205-33625-6

Monday, March 10, 2014

Silent Ageism: A Scenario


Silent Ageism: A Scenario

Tom, 74 years old (my age now) is very frustrated, he has got used to being ignored.  But a neighborhood meeting has been called to discuss the recent break-ins. He was tired of being treated as if he didn’t exist.  It wasn’t that he experienced hostility; he was ignored with sheer indifference.   When he was talked to, he was patronized since he retired fifteen years ago from the community police force; he has gradually spent more and more time alone, especially after he lost his wife four years ago.  But this was too much.  He is tired of being treated like a piece of furniture.  He is also tired of being patronized when people did talk to him.  He is becoming increasingly frustrated.  If you were a member of this group.  What kinds things would you do

What would you tell him??

Friday, March 7, 2014

Health, Exercise and Aging


                                   Health, Exercise and Aging [1]           


Research has shown that there is a correlation between “…regular, vigorous exercise and reduction in a person’s chances of dying from heart disease and cancer, as well as hospital admissions for serious illness.”   That doesn’t mean that we have to dash around the block or climb mountains.  For me it means jogging in the summer and fast walking the rest of the year.  One of the key factors is developing a habit I go rain or shine (and snow when it comes) 
    Here are  the benefits  of a  brisk 30-minute walk for older adults:
§       Lowers blood pressure
§       Boosts ADL cholesterol in blood
§       Reduces risk of blood clots
§       Reduces risk of heart attacks
§       Reduces risks of strokes
§       Boosts metabolic rate
§       Reduces body fat, improves lean muscle mass
§       Helps manage Type II diabetes
§       Reduces risk of osteoporosis
§       Improves long-term  recovery from depression

On page 150 in the book cited below we are given an ideal exercise program.
1.     Begins with a low level of activity
2.     Includes an initial warm-up, with stretching  light calisthenics.
3.    Proceeds to leisurely walking
4.    Consists of more strenuous exercise for 20 minutes or more.
5.    Ends with a relaxing cool down for a period of  5 to 10 minutes  of light exercise
6.    This pattern should be repeated at least three times a week.

Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!







[1]
This Material was gathered from  Social Gerontology   and Organized by  Nancy R, Hoonah & H. Asuman Kiyak  both from the University of Washington. ISBN  0-205-44611-6   Thanks to them for the information,

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Who Wants To Live Forever


Who Wants To Live Forever[1]

         First of all I would like to say that one of my favorite songs, which I sing frequently, Who Wants to Live forever produced by the song group Queen with Freddie Mercury in the mid 1980’s.  Many of my previous posts have been about ageism.  This one approaches self ageism

         This research deals with self stereotypes.  The authors of the article tell us that “ We believe that older individuals’ internalized contribute to the formation of their self-perceptions of aging. Which in term can have internalized outcomes.”   It become projected inward rather that those of other isms.  In other words, “ When individuals n old age and the stereotypes become self-relevant.

         One of the interesting feature of self ageism is that “self stereotypes of aging can operate without the older individuals awareness. The researchers conducted two studies. In the first one, they tested the ideas about how this can happen.
Study 1
         Study 1 Hypothesis:  At various ages people with more positive aging self perceptions at the baseline (the age they were tested) will live longer. They had participants the were 50 years and older.
         They used five items:
1.   “Things get worse as I get older.”
2.   “I have as much pep as I did last year.”
3.   “As you get older you, you are less useful.”
4.   “I am as happy now as when I was younger.”
5.   “As I get older things are, (better, worse, or the same) as I thought they would be.  (choose one)
After statistical analysis the positive perceptions group lived on the average 7.6 years longer.  This impact was found with the control of gender, age, socioeconomic status, functional health and loneliness.

Study 2
The will to Live
         First of all the researchers tell us that; “We define the will to live as a perceived judgment that the perceived benefits of one’s life outweigh the perceived hardships.”  And, “the will to die occurs when the perceived hardships of one’s life outweigh the perceived benefits.”
         A will to live measure is the following;
1.  The questions were prefaced with   empty---full---hopeful, and worthless--- worthy.  There were 20 adjective questions connected with these.  For a full taste go online to Longevity Increased by Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging.  Good Luck




[1] Br. Levy & Martin D. Slade, Suzanne Kunkel, and Stanislav Kasl:  Longevity Increased by Positive Self- Perceptions of Aging, (2002)  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 83, No 2,  261-270.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Age Discrimination and Employment: A Scemario


Age Discrimination and Employment:

A Scenario:

  Ella had worked as an accountant for Guard Simon Till, a once prestigious accounting firm, for over 25 years before she was laid of  after the firm suffered a great loss of clients due to a scandal. The fifty-five year old then applies for a position  as an accountant for Watch Your Money, an accounting firm in Toronto with 25 employees.
Forty year old senior partner David Dill is impressed by Ella’s credentials and understands that Ella had no involvement in G.S.T.’s  scandal. Still he feels that Ella’s years of experience make her over qualified for the accountant position at his firm. David thinks that a professional at Ella’s stage of life would not care to take directions from him or his partners, who are either David’s age or younger. What advice would you give David?



Monday, March 3, 2014

Harassment of Seniors

           After reading the following story, discuss what you think with someone you know.

       Early on Friday morning, Nita was awakened by the loud noise of something hitting her roof. She got out of bed, looked out the window and saw two teenagers walking away.  She figured they were students, 'tanked up', on their way home to nearby university residences.
       But the next day she saw a  brick on her roof beside some broken tiles and she thought 'Oh no!'   For the miserable experience of being targeted by local teenagers might be happening again. "I felt sick when I saw that brick.  I've considered moving into Seniors Residences"
      Two years previously, a group of young teenagers mounted a series of dreadful attacks, led by one particularly nasty boy from a neighbouring house. They put stink bombs  through her letter box, threw eggs at her door, repeatedly rang her doorbell and ran away.
      "I'd injured my knee and going up and down the stairs  was hard, so I got to the point I  didn't  bother answering the door.  They were forever taunting me.  I looked through the door window and there was such nastiness about it.  It was threatening. It was awful. I felt under siege.  When you're on your own and you've got to lock up and go to bed, and think--somebody's trying to get into your place--it's horrible.'
       Once when they smashed their hydrometer with lead piping, she ran after them, but they defied her.

  •  Why did you do it?
  •  Do what?
  •  You broke my glass
  •  It wasn't us


         Nita's daughter Jane, who lived nearby, contacted the local police and the insitgator, already in trouble for other offenses, was moved elsewhere.
Nita wonders if the attacks happened partly because of her age.
     
  Some of it is just vandalism.  But these kids also thought, "She's a silly old fool. She won't run after us."

   

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Combating Ageism


Combating Ageism[1]




The following questions are good tools to examining your attitude toward Aging and Ageism.  For more information, go to that journal.  Cited below

Questions

·   What would you do life different if you had life to live over again?
·   What period of your life do you think about most frequently?
·   How do you feel about that period of your life?
·   How do you feel about your parents?
·   How do you feel about your childhood?
·   How do you feel about your adolescence?
·   How do you feel about your young adulthood?
·   How do you feel about your married life?
·   How do you feel about your work experience
·   How do you feel about the way you raised your children?
·   What do you regret most about your life/
·   What has been the most satisfying thing about your life?
·   What is your philosophy of life?
·   What is your advice to me?

“This practical fight against ageism was conducted over a period of ten years, yielding harvest of stories of changing perspectives of old and young age


  






[1]  Mignon Eizenberg, (2000) 23 Life Review and Life Preview.  In the international for Logo Therapy, pages 2629