Podcasts about Cycling Without Age

It's a changing of the guard for the group that guides the nation's vaccine policy. We spoke with a Colorado pediatrician who used to be on the panel about how that could reshape guidance and the concerns she has moving forward. Then, a Denver woman unravels the mystery of her mother's past after fleeing Nazi Germany, and the art her family left behind. Plus, "Cycling Without Age" offers freedom for people with mobility issues. We go on another ride for "Aging Matters on Colorado Matters."

Find out how the simple act of feeling wind in your hair can transform a day of isolation into one filled with joy, connection, and even awakened memories.Jennifer Reid, Co-Founder and Director of Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society, joins us to explore how specialized three-wheeled 'trishaws' are creating magical moments for seniors across British Columbia. What began with one bike named after Jennifer's mother has grown into a fleet of six trishaws serving 12 partner facilities throughout Vancouver, and chapters operating in 14 communities across BC. The program, which started in Denmark, now thrives in 41 countries with 3,500 chapters worldwide.To learn how you can help bring the wind-in-your-hair experience to seniors in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia visitcyclingwithoutage.ca/vancouverfacebook.com/cwavancouverinstagram.com/cwa_vancouverlinkedin.com/company/cwavancouverGlobalcyclingwithoutage.orgFilmcyclingwithoutagethemovie.comContact Jennifer Reid at jenreid@cyclingwithoutage.caShare your BikeSense with us! Send us a text message.***********************************************The Bike Sense podcast with Peter Ladner is produced by the BC Cycling Coalition – your voice for safer and more accessible cycling and active transportation in British Columbia.Membership in the BCCC is now FREE! To find out about BCCC's projects and add your voice to the chorus please visit BCCycling.ca

Tony Desnick is on a mission to transform cities, bridge generations, and showcase the life-changing power of bicycles. We dive into winter cycling tips and the healing power of two wheels. Whether it's been awhile since your last bike ride or you're a seasoned cyclist, you'll find inspiration for your next ride.Are you a cyclist looking for meaningful ways to give back? Tony's organization, Cycling Without Age, offers an amazing opportunity to share the joy of cycling with those who can no longer pedal themselves. Volunteers are always needed! Check out the inspiring trailer and connect with Tony if you're in the Twin Cities, or reach out to a chapter near you. Make a profound difference while doing what you love.

Barb Lotze is Patient Navigator and Volunteer Coordinator at All Seasons Health, Director of Business Development at Comfort Keepers and co-founder and Executive Director of Cycling Without Age Littleton. She enjoys sharing all these missions and core values with the community in efforts to assist older adults to age in place with dignity. Giving presentations, coordinating events, leading exercise classes, intergenerational events, baking and giving trishaw experiences are only a few creative ways she reaches out to the community.She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Prior to these missions, Barb endeavored to positively influence the youth in her community while working in youth ministry for 20 years.Barb is married and has 2 adult children. She is an avid cyclist. She also is an accomplished baker and is known for her homemade English Toffee and sweet pecans which she creates for clients, patients, passengers, volunteers and friends.Barb is co-founder and Executive Director of Cycling Without Age Littleton. She and 130 volunteers and 90 pilots power the three-wheeled cycle that transports the passengers in a cushioned seat attached to the front of the bike. Rides are given to older adults and those with challenges. Trishaw experiences give passengers the opportunity to be in nature, share their stories and enjoy WIND IN THEIR HAIR. Cycling Without Littleton is growing quickly and bringing joy to many.https://allseasonshealth.com/https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/colorado/south-denver/https://cwalittleton.com/**********************************************************Judy is the CEO & Founder of the Judy Carlson Financial Group. She helps her clients design, build, and implement fully integrated and coordinated financial plans from today through life expectancy and legacy.She is an Independent Fiduciary and Comprehensive Financial Planner who specializes in Wealth Decumulation Strategies. Judy is a CPA, Investment Advisor Representative, Life and Health Insurance Licensed, and Long-Term Care Certified.Judy's mission is to educate and empower her clients with an all-inclusive financial plan that encourages and motivates them to pursue their lifetime financial goals and dreams.Learn More: https://judycarlson.com/Investment Adviser Representative of and advisory services offered through Royal Fund Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Adviser.The Inspired Impact Podcasthttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-inspired-impact-podcast/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-inspired-impact-podcast-w-judy-carlson-interview-w-barb-lotze-of-all-seasons-health-comfort-keepers-cycling-without-age-littleton

C​BC's Jonna Brewer visited the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville to hear about a special program ​called Cycling Without Age.

C​BC's Jonna Brewer visited the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville to hear about a special program ​called Cycling Without Age.

C​BC's Jonna Brewer visited the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville to hear about a special program ​called Cycling Without Age.

Guest: Barbara Lotze Director of Business Development Cycling Without Age Littleton’s goal is that the most vulnerable never become the least visible, and that everyone has the opportunity to feel the wind in their hair, to be in nature, and to break the isolation barrier with our older adults and those with challenges.  Cycling Without Age Littleton serves people off all ages young or old and people with challenge to help them be outside.  The bikes they use have the seats in front and the person peddling and not behind them.  There is no cost for people to enjoy these services, but you need to make an appointment.        https://cwalittleton.com/

Ole Kassow of Copenhagen loved bicycling. One morning, when he saw an elderly man sitting alone with his walker in a park, Ole felt inspired by a simple idea: why not offer elderly people the joy and freedom of a bike ride. So, one sunny day he stopped at a nursing home with a rented trishaw (a three-wheeled bike) and offered a ride to anyone there. He was delighted when a staff member and an elderly resident became the first riders of Cycling Without Age. Now, more than twenty years later, Ole’s dream to help those who missed cycling has blessed some 575,000 elderly people with 2.5 million rides. Where? To see a friend, enjoy an ice cream cone, and “feel the wind in their hair.” Participants say they sleep better, eat better, and feel less lonely. Such a gift brings to life God’s beautiful words to His people in Isaiah 58:10–11. “Help those in trouble,” He told them. “Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon” (nlt). God promised, “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” God told His people, “Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities” (v. 12). What might He do through us? As He helps us, may we always be ready to help others.

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we're featuring Polk County: https://bit.ly/3OELsFN  The Cabin is also brought to you by Group Health Trust: https://bit.ly/3JMizCX   Campfire Conversation:  In this episode of The Cabin, Ana, Eric, and Jake welcome 2024 and divvy up some resolutions in the areas of giving, healthier living, and healthier eating, respectively. Ana focuses on giving more in 2024 and explores a variety of interesting charitable events and organizations. She goes to Lake Geneva to explore things like the Mr. Lake Geneva Pageant, where men compete pageant-style to benefit area nonprofits as well as charity events centered around golf, biking, and more. She explores Cycling Without Age, an organization that provides rides to elderly people in need - it started in Denmark and now has chapters in 39 countries, including the US and Wisconsin. DoorTran, a transportation service in Door County, does similar work in Wisconsin's most famous peninsula. Conservation alliances in Wisconsin advance the quality of life in communities as well as the environment, and Ana shares the one in Sauk Prairie, which is also active in revamping the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant grounds. Serving as a mentor is another wonderful way to “pay it forward,” and programs like the Outagamie County Mentoring Program illustrate these benefits. She also discusses a variety of walks and runs, galas, interesting contests, festivals and more that benefit communities across the state. VolunteerMatch.org provides a good resource for finding some of them.Eric dives into some unique Wisconsin workouts and ways to get in better shape for 2024(hey, he tries every year) and some of those workouts include yoga with goats or alpacas - oddly soothing for some reason; curling and ice skating in winter; pole fitness; bungee workouts at places like Swoop; TRX and cycle workouts at places like CycleBar, Spire, and Barre Code; and unique spots like Bounce Trampoline at Hometown Pilates in Fitchburg, which combines dance, music and bounce for a full cardio workout, and also helps with balance and coordination and studies have shown bounce is good for lymph circulation. More fun than your usual regular run or some sit-ups!Jake discusses food as part of his resolution, and covers examples of places around the state where you can eat healthier. Places around the state are now offering fresher and healthier grab-and-go meals and you can find them at markets like The Farmacy in Green Bay, co-ops like Willy Street in Madison, People's Co-Op in La Crosse, and Outpost Natural Foods, which has multiple locations around Milwaukee, and more. Farmers markets have greatly multiplied in number across the state where you can get fresh-grown food from area farms, bakers, and more; they're often a great way to kick off your weekend. Many of these markets take place in the warmer months, but more and more communities have winter markets indoors. Jake also drops some favorites across the state, including Downtown Grocery in Wausau; Thai Basil in Madison; Subhouse in Hudson, and Island Cafe in Minocqua, where you'll find a Mediterranean menu amidst an area primarily known for pub food and fish fries in the great North Woods. He provides a nice blueprint for places that offer that combination of tasty cuisine and better nutrition many of us want.Hope your New Year's resolutions work well and you have a happy, healthy 2024!   Inside Sponsors:Jefferson County: https://bit.ly/3gt0Nau   

In our compelling discussion, we traverse the transformative journey of seniors reclaiming their joy and freedom through Cycling Without Age. Ole Kassow and Pernille Bussone share the profound physical, emotional, and mental benefits these simple bike rides bring to their passengers. With heartwarming anecdotes, they paint an uplifting portrait of seniors, not just as patients, but as individuals thriving, connecting, and enriching their lives despite their age. This isn't merely an exercise; it's a celebration of life's simple pleasures and the power of human connection. As a senior, you may feel trapped in an aging body, isolated and longing for the freedom and thrill of cycling in your youth. Now imagine, riding again, feeling the wind against your face, relishing the joy of movement, and the world isn't confined to four walls anymore. This isn't a fantasy; it's the incredible mission of our guest, Ole and Pernille. Together they've sparked a groundbreaking movement, transforming lives of seniors by breaking down barriers of limited mobility. SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast sponsored by TransMed Care Long Distance Medical TransportationThe background music is written, performed and produced exclusively by purple-planet.com.https://www.purple-planet.com/*SeniorLivingGuide.com Webinars and Podcast represents the opinions and expertise of our guests. The content here is for informational and educational purposes. It does not necessarily represent the views, recommendations, opinions or advice of Fairfax Publishing/SeniorLivingGuide.com or its employees

A familiar name returns to Door County in October when musician Tony Brown comes home for a show. Deb Fitzgerald talks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about her interview with Brown in this week's Pulse, then they talk about Cycling Without Age, a program that gets people back outside and in nature with the use of electric trishaw bikes.

Miles de voluntarios empujan triciclos que pasean a personas que quieren pero no pueden pedalear....

Tim McKone talks about the Cycling Without Age Program that has begun in Northfield. The program provides an opportunity for elderly people with limited mobility a chance to experience the joy of bicycle riding again on a three wheel electric assist cycle called a trishaw. Two passengers sit side by side in a front bench […]

Tim McKone talks about the Cycling Without Age Program that has begun in Northfield. The program provides an opportunity for elderly people with limited mobility a chance to experience the joy of bicycle riding again on a three wheel electric assist cycle called a trishaw. Two passengers sit side by side in a front bench seat and the pilot pedals from the back. For more information, email Tim at timmckone4@gmail.com. 

When Keith Urban called a Sunshine Coast charity to donate $20,000 the group couldn't believe what they were hearing.

When Keith Urban called a Sunshine Coast charity to donate $20,000 the group couldn't believe what they were hearing.

When Keith Urban called a Sunshine Coast charity to donate $20,000 the group couldn't believe what they were hearing.

On Washington Wednesday, politics and the federal investigation of Trump's handling of secret documents; on World Tour, news from Tunisia, China, Germany, and Colombia; and Cycling Without Age helps senior citizens get back on the open road. Plus, 100 days under the sea, commentary from Janie B. Cheaney, and the Wednesday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Dordt University. Dordt's online grad programs help students advance careers while pursuing Christ-centered renewal in their fields. Learn more at Dordt.edu/gradfrom Ambassadors Impact Network, a nationwide group of angel investors committed to funding entrepreneurs whose Christian convictions have hindered secular financing sources. More at ambassadorsimpact.comAnd from Children's Hunger Fund:--Over 700 million meals distributed since 1991.-Just 25¢ can provide a meal for a hungry child.-Serving in 30 countries, including the US.Since 1991, Children's Hunger Fund (CHF) has come alongside the local church in 30 countries, including the US, to deliver food, aid, and the hope of the gospel. To date, 96% of total contributions—over 1 billion dollars in food and other aid—have been distributed through programs serving more than 20 million children across America and around the world. CHF has consistently received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. CHF has distribution centers in San Antonio, Frisco, and their Los Angeles headquarters. To learn more, visit ChidrensHungerFund.org/world.

Ole Kassow is a Danish entrepreneur who started Cycling Without Age, a nonprofit that encourages volunteers to cycle with senior citizens in bike taxis as a way to help them get outdoors. Kassow shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the right to relate. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ole Kassow is a Danish entrepreneur who started Cycling Without Age, a nonprofit that encourages volunteers to cycle with senior citizens in bike taxis as a way to help them get outdoors. Kassow shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the right to relate. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In this episode, I connect with Ole Kassow of Copenhagen and Gary Harty of Lakewood, CO, for a discussion about the Cycling Without Age organization which has a vision of creating a world together in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community.Watch the video version of this episode to get the full effect.Landing page for the episodeHelpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Cycling Without Age- Curbing Traffic Four Easy Steps to Support My Efforts:1. Become an Active Towns Ambassador by "Buying Me a Coffee" or by pledging as little as $1 per month on Patreon2. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a "thumbs up," leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with a friend.3. Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform and the Active Towns YouTube Channel4. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my storeCredits:All video and audio production by John SimmermanMusic:Epidemic SoundResources used during the production of this episode:- My awesome recording platform is Ecamm- Adobe Creative Cloud SuiteFor more information about my Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit my links below:- Website- Twitter- Newsletter- Podcast landing pages- Facebook- InstagramBackground:Hi Everyone, my name is John Simmerman.I'm a health promotion professional with over 30 years of experience and my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization of how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.In 2012 I launched the non-profit Advocates for Healthy Communities as an effort to help promote and create healthy, active places.Since that time, I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be, in order to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."My Active Towns suite of channels feature my original video and audio content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.Thanks for tuning in; I hope you have found this content helpful.Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2023Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc. is a nonprofit 501c3 organization (EIN 45-3802508) dedicated to helping communities create a Culture of Activity. To donate, click here. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this double episode of the podcast, I chat with a good mate of mine, Ben Van Raay, who has just started up his own sports podcast; and Tim Rogers, from Cycling Without Age, who build bridges between generations and help prevent loneliness by providing an opportunity to avoid social isolation and remain active in their community by taking bike rides.

On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered in Bellfield Street for the BikeFest. It was an opportunity to look at, ride and talk about all sorts of bicycles, many of them highly unusual. The police were there to help register your bike to deter thieves. There was a swap-shop for bike parts, advice on bike maintenance and a workshop on what might help to make Portobello more bike friendly. David Calder took his bike along to find out more.

Hi, everyone. Do you like riding a bike for fun? I do. I really enjoy cycling. That's another name for bike riding… "cycling". "Cycling"也是騎腳踏車，我很喜歡騎車！ Lots of people like cycling. But some people can't do it. Some people are too old to ride a bike anymore. Some old people are very weak. Also, some people are not old, but they are disabled. 有一些人太老，也有一些人身體有障礙，騎不動腳踏車了。 It is hard for them to go anywhere. They might get lonely and sad. 很多老人跟行動不便的人因為出門困難，常常覺得寂寞難過。 There is a group that can help all these people. It's called Cycling Without Age. Cycling Without Age has many volunteers. These volunteers give old people and disabled people rides on bikes. 一個名叫「騎車無年齡」的團體有許多志工，會騎車載人去兜風。 This is a great, free service. 這個服務是免費的。 The volunteers can take them to a park. Or they can take them to a beautiful forest. 志工可以帶他們去公園或是森林逛逛。 The bikes they use are special. They have three wheels. They are like a "sofa bike." Two people can sit on chairs in front of the bike. They don't have to pedal. They just sit and relax. Another person sits behind them and does all the work. That is the volunteer. 他們用的腳踏車很特別，有三個輪子，前面的座椅可以坐兩個人，志工在後面負責騎車。 There is a Cycling Without Age group in about 50 countries around the world. 現在50個國家有這個團體！ Maybe Taiwan will have one someday. That would be great! ________________________________ Vocabulary 多麼可愛的團體，帶給人許多快樂！ 1. Group 團體 This group helps people go outdoors. 這個團體幫助人走出戶外。 It's a wonderful idea, isn't it? 真是個好主意，不是嗎？ 2. Enjoy 喜歡 I don't enjoy cycling when it's cold. 天氣冷的時候我不喜歡騎車。 Really? I enjoy it a lot! 真的？我很喜歡呢！ I just put on warm clothes. 我就穿上暖和的衣服。 3. Disabled 身體有障礙的 This hotel is very friendly for the disabled. 這家旅館對身體障礙人士很友善。 How so? 怎麼說？ It uses sign language for room numbers. 它用手語來表示房間號碼。 4. Volunteer 志工 Would you like to be a volunteer at the Taipei Zoo? 你想當台北動物園的志工嗎？ Can I? That would be great! 我可以嗎？那太棒了！ 我們來讀一遍單字。 group 團體 enjoy 喜歡 disabled 身體有障礙 volunteer 志工 ________________________________ Quiz 1. Who is Cycling Without Age for? A: People who are old and weak. B: People who have problems with their body. C: Both A & B. 2. Who does all the work with a Cycling Without Age bike? A: People who sit in the front seats. B: Family members of old people. C: The person sitting in the back. 3. How many countries have Cycling Without Age? A: 15 B: 50 C: 150 Answers 1. C 2. C 3. B

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster get together for a pre-Spring check-in. What restaurants are open, where's the live music, and what are we looking forward to as the snow melts. Also, a look at several bicycling topics, from getting your bike tuned up before your first ride of the season, to a mountain biking club forming at Peninsula State Park, and a look at Cycling Without Age, a group dedicated to providing bike rides to the elderly and those with mobility challenges and disabilities.

My guest today is Ole Kassow. Ole is a social entrepreneur based in Denmark and the founder of Cycling Without Age, a global movement that brings together volunteers to provide outdoor cycle rides to older people who would otherwise be stuck inside. Ole has also spent a lifetime experimenting with different ways to bring kindness into the world of work.In this episode, we talk about his journey creating Cycling Without Age and growing it to become a truly global organization. We also talk about the importance of intergenerational conversations, his experiments in slowness, why kindness is good for business and how his dad inspired his playful spirit. I think you're gonna love this one.Ole starts by telling us how Cycling Without Age was created:So I come out of a family with a dad who suffered from MS. He was very quick in a wheelchair. Actually, I know firsthand how lack of mobility can cause social isolation, loneliness and depression. There was one particular guy who just caught my attention and spurred me into action and that was a man who later really changed my life. I offered bike rides to him. It just brought me an amazing insight into a different generation. It gave me a lot of joy to be able to take this man back on a bike and get him back into his neighbourhood and meet his old friends, see the old places and listen to stories and so on. I felt it was a really wonderful two-way thing where I was able to offer my companionship and he was able to offer me a lot of stories and a lot of insights and wisdom from his age. And then continued on from that with the city of Copenhagen getting involved and sponsoring some wonderful three-wheel bikes with a double seat in front. Then it just grew from there, it grew to all the care homes and activity centres in Copenhagen and beyond, and has since spread to most corners of the world as well.✔ Links: Cycling Without Age:https://cyclingwithoutage.com/Ole Kassow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/olekassow/Ole Kassow on Twitter:https://twitter.com/OleKassowSubscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-upOur Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

SUMMARY The over-65 age group is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, with rates of mental illness for seniors over 70 projected to be the highest of any age group by 2041. Add to that the impacts of COVID-19, and you have a complex and costly national challenge that requires urgent attention from all sectors, in the move toward upstream seniors' mental health care. Join Marjorie Horne (seniors' advocate and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting), Naomi Mison (caregiver and founder of Discuss Dementia), and Dr. Anna Wisniewska (geriatric psychiatrist) in Part 1, as they share their personal stories and professional insights about the mental health challenges seniors face, and the opportunities that abound for improved care and enhanced quality of life. TAKEAWAYS This Part 1 podcast will help you understand: Current and projected statistics related to seniors' mental health and care Personal stories of caring for family members Reflections on COVID from caregivers and a geriatric psychiatrist Lessons learned from COVID to improve the mental healthcare system Common myths associated with seniors' mental health Common mental health challenges (e.g., depression/anxiety) and opportunities for care available to seniors and their families Risks of marginalized groups, experiences of men vs. women, and roles of ethnicity, genetics, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), epigenetics Common mental health challenges for seniors in residential care and their families Challenges and opportunities associated with caregiving and advocacy Transitional challenges experienced by seniors of all ages Need for intergenerational knowledge and connection Terms such as “eldering well”, “eldercare”, “death cafes”, “end-of-life doulas” SPONSOR The Social Planning & Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC) is a leader in applied social research, social policy analysis, and community development approaches to social justice. The SPARC team supports the council's 16,000 members, and works with communities to build a just and healthy society for all. THANK YOU for supporting the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit and the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Podcast.   RESOURCES World Health Organization Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health Mental Health Commission of Canada Active Aging Canada Alzheimer Society CanAge Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Canadian Frailty Network Canadian Mental Health Association Canadian Suicide Prevention Network Deprescribing Network Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario National Institute for Care of the Elderly (NICE) Seniors First British Columbia The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Caregivers Alberta Carers Canada Caregivers Nova Scotia Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Families for Addiction Recovery: FAR Canada Family Caregivers of British Columbia Canadian Research Centres on Aging   GUESTS  Marjorie Horne, Dipl. T. Nursing Marjorie Horne was 16 when she knew that the way we see and treat elders had to change. Her journey involved training as a registered nurse, becoming the Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Society, working in management in seniors housing and, finally, starting her own business, CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc. She is also a Conscious Aging Facilitator and a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging. As an entrepreneur, Marjorie's goal was to bring a holistic, ‘Circle of Care' approach to supporting seniors and their families through the many transitions encountered in the third chapter of life. Her community endeavors of creating and hosting her own radio show, Engaging in Aging, every Sunday morning on AM1150, writing a bi-weekly column, facilitating workshops on Conscious Aging, and speaking at local events, are all driven by the desire to be part of a new paradigm where we reimagine later life with courage, resilience, passion, and purpose. Phone: 250-863-9577 Email: resources@caresmart.ca Website: www.caresmart.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caresmartseniorsconsulting Twitter: https://twitter.com/caresmartsenior Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-horne-46bb8937/ Naomi Mison, BA Naomi Mison is a public speaker, vocal advocate, and a champion of change. She has spent the last four years bravely sharing her journey as she cares for her mother who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, when Naomi was just 22 years old. She has spoken publicly through the Alzheimer Society of Canada National Anti-Stigma Campaign, CBC's Out in the Open podcast, Globe and Mail, Embrace Aging Okanagan, Pecha Kucha, and many more. Naomi volunteers with the Alzheimer Society of BC's Leadership Group of Caregivers, is on the planning committee for IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, and for the Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English, and a Diploma in Public Relations.  Phone: 780-885-3956 Email: mailto:naomi@discussdementia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nam956 Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaomiMison Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimison/ Dr. Anna Wisniewska, MD, FRCPC Anna Wisniewska completed her undergraduate medical training at the University of British Columbia and her postgraduate training in psychiatry at the University of Calgary. Her clinical career has always focused on the care of the elderly and their families. Dr. Wisniewska is currently a consulting geriatric psychiatrist at the Kelowna General Hospital and the Kelowna Mental Health Centre. She also works in her private practice in Kelowna and is a sub-investigator with Medical Arts Research.  Her passion for her work and compassion for her patients were inspired early on by her very close relationship with her grandparents, and maintained by the many wonderful patients, families, and colleagues met along the professional path. Email: DrAWisniewska@gmail.com HOST Jo de Vries is a community education and engagement specialist with 30 years of experience helping local governments in British Columbia connect with their citizens about important sustainability issues. In 2006, she established the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) to “inspire community conversations for sustainable change.” FOF's highly acclaimed events include Building SustainABLE Communities conferences, Reel Change SustainAbility Film Fest, Eco-Blast Kids' Camps, CommUnity Innovation Lab, Breakfast of Champions, and Women 4 SustainAbility. FOF's newest ventures are the HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Summit and HEADS UP! Community Mental Health Podcast. Website: Fresh Outlook Foundation Phone: 250-300-8797   PLAY IT FORWARD The move toward optimal mental health becomes possible as more people learn about the challenges, successes, and opportunities. To that end, please share this podcast with anyone who has an interest or stake in the future of mental health and wellness. FOLLOW US For more information about the Fresh Outlook Foundation (FOF) and our programs and events, visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, and like us on Facebook and Twitter.   HELP US As a charity, FOF relies on support from grants, sponsors, and donors to continue its valuable work. If you benefited from the podcast, please help fund future episodes by making a one-time or monthly donation. Marjorie Horne, Naomi Mison, Anna Wisniewska Interview Transcript You can download a pdf of the transcript here. The entire transcript is also found below: RICK  0:00 Welcome to the HEADS UP Community Mental Health Podcast. Join our host Jo de Vries with the Fresh Outlook Foundation, as she combines science with storytelling to explore a variety of mental health issues with people from all walks of life. Stay tuned! JO  0:05 Hey, Jo here. Thanks for joining me as we explore the complex world of seniors' mental health. In this two-part podcast, brought to you by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, we'll study the challenges, gaps, successes, and opportunities for seniors through the eyes of a geriatric psychiatrist, a young caregiver, and a seniors' advocate and entrepreneur. But before I jump into our discussion with these amazing women, I'd like to set the stage for you. Given that the over-65 age group is the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, seniors' mental health will be an increasingly critical issue for healthcare systems, all levels of government, academic institutions, healthcare-related businesses, and nonprofits that focus on either seniors' mental health or specific mental health conditions such as mood or cognitive disorders. Taking a closer look, we see that almost seven million Canadians, or about 18% of Canada's 38 million residents, are 65 or older. The rates of mental illness for seniors over 70 are projected to be higher than for any other age group by 2041. This scenario presents serious social, cultural, and economic challenges for individuals, families, and communities in Canada and beyond. On the bright side, a Statistics Canada study showed that almost 70% of seniors consistently report having good or excellent mental health, and that they are more satisfied with their lives than those in younger age groups. More than eight in ten seniors reported they always or often have someone they can depend on to help when they really need it. On the other hand, about 20%, or almost 1.5 million Canadian seniors, experience mental health challenges caused by a range of medical conditions, social situations, lifestyle choices, cultural influences, and economic circumstances. To help us dig deeper into this vitally important topic, Rick joins me to share what he learned from a variety of research and advocacy organizations in Canada. RICK  0:30 Up to 20% of older adults, or as many as 1.4 million people, report being depressed. And 40% of seniors in long-term care homes are depressed. More than 10% of seniors, and up to 30% of those with major late-life depression, misuse alcohol. JO  0:30 What about anxiety? RICK  0:30 About 10% of seniors, or about 700,000 people, have diagnosed anxiety disorders, and seniors have the highest rate of hospitalization for those disorders. JO  3:37 What about other kinds of mental health challenges? NAOMI  3:41 More than 500,000 seniors in Canada have dementia, of which there are more than 130 types. And more than 90,000 seniors have schizophrenia or other delusional disorders. JO  3:55 What about seniors and suicide? NAOMI  4:00 More than 10% of seniors seriously thought about suicide in the last year that was studied. That's probably higher now due to COVID. The overall rate for death by suicide is about 11 per 100,000. And the rate for men 85 and older is 29 per 100,000. JO  4:20 Great info, I just hit the big 66 so your stats hit a little close to home for me. Did you find evidence of personal traits that predispose seniors to mental health challenges? NAOMI  4:35 I did. mental health conditions are often affected by innate characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and genetics. Developmental factors such as childhood experiences and educational status also play a role. JO  4:45 How does a senior's circumstances affect his or her mental health outcomes? Mental health challenges are often intensified by factors such as poverty, poor health, loneliness, inadequate nutrition and or housing, lack of independence, and loss of loved ones. NAOMI  4:59 We'll talk about those more later on in the podcast. But for now, what about more broad-based social risk factors? JO  5:06 Society-wide, or what are sometimes called macro-social risk factors, include lack of available health resources and the impacts of negative social influences such as stigma, ageism, inequality, systemic racism, and gender bias. NAOMI  5:21 Thanks, Rick. We're going to talk about those a little later as well. When you take all of that into account, seniors' mental health is staggeringly important, and needs to be addressed at all scales. JO  5:31 To help with that I welcome our first guest, Marjorie Horne, a community seniors' advocate and entrepreneur. She has diverse experience as a registered nurse, hospice volunteer and executive, residential care services manager, columnist, broadcaster, and founder of CareSmart Seniors Consulting. As a Certified Professional consultant on aging, she uses her education and work experience to meet the transitioning needs of seniors and their families. She was also a caregiver for her elderly mother, caring for her in her own home for the last year of her mother's life. Welcome, Marjorie, and thanks so much for joining us. Oh, thanks for having me, Jo. JO 6:25 Marjorie, first, can you share the parts of your personal story that pertain to seniors' mental health. MARJORIE  6:27 My journey in seniors' care began really when I was 15 years old here in Kelowna, and I decided to go and work in what we used to call residential care, then in care homes. And that was an experience that really affected me very deeply. And it was where I really felt and was part of this sense of isolation that so many of the residents felt, and they would talk to me about their families not coming to visit. That they didn't feel that anybody really heard them. And I just, for some reason, found this just so touching, and I wanted to be there for them individually. So, when I began listening to their stories and just being really present for them... this was even in my teenage years... I began to see a light come back in their eyes that was sort of deadened when I started working there. And it really had a profound impact on me. And it led me into nursing when I graduated from high school. And I think it's what still really drives me to this day, in wanting to make things better for our older population. When I was caring for my own mom in my home, the last year of her life, it gave me a really close and real personal experience. Even though I do this professionally, it's different with your parent, and I was there for her for a good part of the day, hearing her go through her life review and reflection of her life experiences. And my mom had been diagnosed as being bipolar in her late 30s, and she had been put on a combination of quite a number of psychotropic drugs at that time, which she has stayed on for over 35 years. And of course, this really impacted me and my three sisters and our family life. And when she was 75, we actually took her off everything to have some major surgery done. And all of a sudden, I had gone to stay with her, and I saw this light come back in her eyes that had been really missing for about 35 years. So, this has had a dramatic influence on my life, around my thoughts around mental health, by living that experience for so many years. And she began to tell me once we had her off these drugs about sexual abuse that happened her life that she had never told anyone. She talked to me about some very traumatic experiences she'd gone through, that again she just hadn't shared with anyone. And it was quite heartbreaking to hear her in her early 80s tell me about a roommate that had hung herself, and my mom came home and found her. And that all of the emotion and everything around this had really been locked inside of her. As she began to verbalize this to me over sort of a ten-year period, and especially when she was coming to the end of her life, I think it affected me in a way where I really feel that just listening sometimes to our older seniors, as they're going through their aging journey is such a very important relevant thing. And the grief that my mom had held inside of her for so long, I really feel that it influences how our older adults are doing as they're getting older. JO  10:20 Thanks for sharing, Marjorie, I know that each person is unique. But given that you've worked with hundreds of seniors in transition, can you paint us a picture that reflects your observation about what that looks like? MARJORIE  10:35 I do think everybody's unique. And that's a very important thing to remember... that we don't lump people together and try to label them. I so often hear from seniors, as they're growing older, that they tell me they begin to feel invisible. They don't feel seen anymore, and they don't feel valued. Even my older sister who's had a remarkable career, earned every type of award that you can imagine and has had such a successful life. But five years after she retired, she said to me that she was beginning to feel invisible. And it shocked me, but it's an expression that people start to look at you differently as you're growing older, as the wrinkles are starting to come and maybe you're walking a little bit slower. And she was verbalizing to me how she just isn't asked for her input on things. And she was quite shocked within herself that she's beginning to feel depressed at this realization. That after everything she's been through, society really doesn't honor us as we're aging. I think you know, when you have that personal experience for somebody, you're looking at admire, and they're telling you that, you can see how across the board that I think, no matter what you've done over your life, we start to feel this way. And we find it hard, I think to reach out for support. So many people just start to turn in, I even saw this with her, separating herself more being quieter or for somebody who had been so outgoing. And so, I think this, of course, affects our physical health and our sense of joy in life tremendously. And I think I see in many, many seniors that I am involved with, it can begin sort of a downward physical cycle as well. And that becomes sort of the centre of their life talking about that. There's a lot of different things around how society views, people as they're aging that I think we need to have a shift in. JO  12:40 Marjorie, is there a flip side to the heartbreak you see? What do you see, that's heartwarming in your work? MARJORIE  12:48 I have many, many heartwarming things. I'm working with somebody who's 93 right now, and I go over and play crib with her, and I thank God she says sharp is a tack. I really have to work hard at beating her at the crib. And I see a lot of people in their late 80s and 90s that really still have a sparkle in their eye. Even people with quite severe physical handicaps. They have a mindset that they have chosen. They want to stay optimistic, they want to stay involved, they want to be sharing their wisdom. And I have many, many experiences of that. And it inspires me on my own aging journey, to remain openminded and optimistic about my future. They inspire me to keep becoming better, because there are many people out there aging that have that mindset. And I think we need to help it flourish. JO  13:49 Thanks, Marjorie, great insights. Next, I'd like to introduce our second guest, Naomi Mison, founder and CEO of Discuss Dimentia and an advocate for the Alzheimer's Society of BC, Cycling Without Age, and BrainTrust. For 13 years, since she was 22, Naomi has been caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia when she was only 53. Naomi, thanks for joining us and agreeing to tell your story and how it brought you to where you're at now. NAOMI  14:26 Thanks, Jo, for allowing me to share my story with you and with your listeners today. So, from a young age, my mother had lived with mental illness. But in 2006, when she was found wandering outside of a train station in her nightgown, it had surpassed a regular dealing with mental illness and moved into a different area. I got a call that she was being placed in an institution. So, I flew to the UK where she was living to bring her back to Canada. When we arrived, she was quite delusional and at risk for wandering. While her GP recognized that there was an issue, she did make a referral to her neurologist,  but the symptoms continued to progress and worsen. And my brother and I grew more desperate for answers. We took her to an emergency room, and unfortunately were chastised for bringing her there under perceived false pretenses as I mean, I don't know how much and direction you have in this regard. But I find sometimes when you're caring for somebody with mental illness, they know when to really show that they are thinking clearly and making the right decisions, when you actually need them to show the struggle that they're facing. So, after some more incidences of trying to find support, we were finally able to locate a crisis team who came and conducted an assessment on my mother's mental health. And at that time, they recognized that she was really struggling and recommended that she be hospitalized and was admitted into Alberta Hospital. So, at the time, she was initially treated for bipolar disorder, and that was about six months when they were trying different methodologies to see if they could stabilize her symptoms. But after a PET scan showed atrophy of the brain, we were given a diagnosis of Pick's Disease, what is now commonly referred to as frontotemporal dementia. And then instance, we were asked to make a life-altering decision on her behalf. And unfortunately, there was no time to really accept, grieve, or even wrap my head around her diagnosis. In that moment, my life was never the same again. Eventually, my mother's condition stabilized, but we could not provide her the level of care she needed. So, when a bed became available, we moved her into long-term care and into the home that she presently lives at today. So, after 10 years of caregiving, I decided I wanted to become a public speaker and advocate for people living with dementia and their caregivers. I want to share my story in hopes of meaning other people like me, and I want to fight on behalf of people and for people that don't have this strength, energy, or capacity. And that's what brought me here to where I am today. JO  17:29 Thank you for your candor. Naomi, it takes courage to be so vulnerable. Can you share with us the toll this multi-year commitment has taken on you personally? NAOMI  17:41 Having this level of responsibility thrust on me at such a young age was life altering, to say the least, I really lost out on the majority of my 20s and the dreams I held. For myself, I always wanted to be a world traveler. I had big grandiose dreams of going to a different country every year and working on a holiday visa. I even had an idea of possibly having a family one day, but that for me is no longer a consideration. When I received the diagnosis, I essentially became the mother to my mother. I've lost out on a chance to have those Mother's Days that you share celebrating your mother's life and contribution, brunch at my house on a Sunday, maybe sharing some bubbles together. Or even the comfort of calling her when I've had a hard day and you just need your mom. The consequences of this disease are a measurable and suffice to say, my life has never been the same. JO  18:47 Are there any silver linings to this experience? Maybe what you've learned about yourself that you can put to good use. NAOMI  18:55 I've really learned that the caregiving journey is not linear. A lot of things are learned through trials and tribulations. And this can cause a lot of stress, especially coupled with your loved one's behavioral changes... it can be trying. From that extreme difficulty, I should say, this experience has taught me how determined and resilient I truly am. From these experiences I have found my passion, even my calling. I am determined to make systemic change to honor my mom. I believe that by sharing my story, it shows vulnerability. And I hope that it will build awareness, understanding, and bridges. Most people have a connection to dementia in one way or another, and I can empathize with that struggle. But if we don't stand up and share our story, then we won't build the awareness needed to make the changes. JO  19:52 Thanks Naomi. We'll bring both you and Marjorie back in after we hear from our third guest, Dr. Anna Wizniewska, a geriatric psychiatrist with Interior Health in British Columbia, Canada. Great to have you aboard, Ania. ANIA  20:09 Thank you, Jo. It's lovely to be here with you, and Marjorie and Naomi. JO  20:14 So, given all of your medical training and all the opportunities available in medicine, what drew you to geriatric psychiatry? ANIA  20:23 Thank you for asking, Jo. It's interesting that the three of us probably reflect on our experience and where we are right now in our lives, going back to our family, and our sometimes formative years. And I think when I look back on my own decision to pursue this career, I really think started in my childhood. I was especially close to by grandparents, and especially my grandfather. And it's sort of, I think, developed a sense of affinity and closeness with seniors in general. It also offered me an opportunity because I grew up with my grandparents living next door to listen to their life stories and to be very interested in their experience. They both survived the war, my grandfather was a POW for six years... there was a lot to learn from them, and a lot to really come to understand through their experience of their lives. And then later on, once I became a teenager, my grandmother, unfortunately, developed dementia. And her dementia was particularly challenging because she had a lot of psychosis. She was quite delusional, particularly around my grandfather. And that led to a lot of distress for our whole family, understandably, but most of all, for my grandfather. And what I always found so fascinating about that relationship was, even though my grandmother would do things that are really quite awful when she was ill, my grandfather never complained. And I always felt that it was so fascinating that, in spite of the things that were happening to him, he never had a word of complaint. And as a teenager, I found it difficult to understand. Why would he be so understanding so forgiving, and seemingly so uninfected? And of course, as I got older, I think I came to understand it a lot more, I hope. And I came to understand it as basically a sense of love and a sense of devotion. And I think that's, in the end, what actually led me to this field. I always wanted to be a doctor, that wasn't something that came later in life. And I think I was always drawn to the idea of helping others and caring for other people. And when my long journey into medicine kind of came to fruition, I actually had an interest more in the opposite-end age spectrum... and that is a care of children. I was quite interested in pediatrics. And I was also very interested in psychiatry, and specifically child and adolescent psychiatry. So, when I actually got into training in psychiatry, it was with the idea of becoming a child adolescent psychiatrist... but I kind of ended up at the other end of the spectrum. That occurred primarily, I think, through the fact that I realized that child and adolescent psychiatry was not really for me for various reasons. And then being influenced by preceptors, who were really quite outstanding, and really showed me how enriching the work can be and how wonderful that work can be. And I think for me, the reason for choosing geriatric psychiatry, and staying in it for almost 20 years, and looking forward to every day that I got to work, is I really like my patients. And that includes patients who, by some standards, may be perceived as quite difficult and unreasonable because of their illness. Because I still see that humanity and the stories that they have in their lives, with our children and grandchildren. As I said, it's that sense of affinity for them, and the appreciation of the stories of their lives and the desire to understand them as people not just in the moment that they are ill or unwell, but to understand them through their whole life experience. The other part of what I love about my job, of course, is our job is challenging and it's stimulating. In geriatric psychiatry, we have to pay a lot of attention to general medical conditions, medications that our patients take. There's not a boring day when I go to work, which again, I appreciate. I know it sounds a bit selfish, but it's also wonderful to have that stimulation. And in the end, it's just extremely rewarding. Many of my patients I have known for more than ten years, and their families have known for more than ten years. I have multi-generational patients, so patients who are from the same family but from different generations, because I have been in this community for so long to see improvement in symptoms or sometimes maybe symptoms can be improved by the quality of life can. It's extremely rewarding to see my patients improved to see their families maybe feel a bit less distressed or feel a little bit more at ease. really wonderful to see. JO  25:02 Another wonderful story... thank you. We know that each senior's mental health journey is unique, but do you see patterns, say of symptoms, of experiences, of behaviors that you can weave into a composite story for us. ANIA  25:20 The one thing that I mentioned is, I sort of see myself as someone who's sort of in the trenches. And so, I typically really look at people as kind of an individual story or individual family. And yes, there can be some patterns. But I think it's important also appreciate that every experience is very, very unique. And even certain elements of the story that may be similar for one family or one patient can lead to sort of different outcomes because of the age group of my patients. My practice is sort of from late 40s to over 100, but I would say the average age my patients is into their 80s. Many of my patients have experienced or were affected by the depression in the 1930s, quite a few of them by war, during World War II, mental displacement and the trauma that came with it. So those are some of the fairly common themes that I hear from my patients and their families. Other things that tend to sort of be maybe a bit of a pattern is, of course, adjusting to the process of aging. Some patients may be a bit more concerned about some of the more superficial changes that come with aging. But for many of my patients, the adjustment to the loss of physical stamina, or occurrence of physical disability, and of course, quite often concerns about cognitive decline as well. So, I think those would be some of the parents that I see. But again, I do need to emphasize that every experience is very individual. JO  26:49 What are the most common myths about seniors' mental health? ANIA  26:53 Things that typically I hear about from either families or patients is that having some forgetfulness as we age is a definite confirmation of a diagnosis of dementia. That is, quite often what I hear from patients when I see them about cognitive decline. So, it's the sort of worry that as we age, if we started becoming a bit forgetful, that necessarily means that we have dementia, which is usually not the case. Another one is, I guess, more so perceptions from the society that as we age, we become somewhat less useful. And I think that was reflected in some of Marjorie's comments, that sense of being invisible. So that's one of the worries that my patients will describe as their concern that they may be sort of perceived as less useful or a burden on their families or societies. JO  27:41 Rick noted earlier that depression and anxiety are the most common mental health challenges experienced by seniors. Why are they so prevalent? ANIA  27:51 I think part of it comes from the fact that we're much better at recognizing their existence. I'm not sure that they were necessarily less noted before or experienced before, I think it's more that we are better, at least I'm hoping we're better, at recognizing the presence of depression or anxiety. And I think seniors are becoming a little bit more open about actually reaching out for help sometimes. And we have to keep in mind that there are very generational differences in approach to how we deal with mental illness or mental health in general. So, I think part of it is that seniors are becoming, some of them anyway, becoming a little bit more open or the idea of reaching out for help when they are unwell. There are other reasons for it, however. Patients that I look after, because of their age, are more likely to experience loss. So that could be a loss of a spouse or a partner. Unfortunately, even loss of other family members, including children, who, depending on what's going on, may have their own health concerns. So, there are a lot of losses of course, loss of friendships, those who have friends in the similar age group will unfortunately lose their friends because of the age and the risk that comes with that. There are also changes that happened physically... certain medical conditions will increase the risk of depression or anxiety. Certain medications can also cause increased depression and anxiety, and, of course, seniors are more likely to take multiple medications. But unfortunately, depression and anxiety are fairly common amongst all age groups. But as I said, I think we're just a little bit better at recognizing it in seniors and looking for it when we see patients, especially in primary care. JO  29:27 So, in that seniors age group, are the treatments for anxiety and depression different than for other age groups? ANIA  29:37 The treatments in general are essentially identical. What makes the seniors more unique, compared to say a younger adult patient, is that the treatment becomes a bit more complicated because of the fact that older patients are more likely to have other medical conditions... so some medications may be contraindicated with some medical conditions. They are also more likely to be taking more medications, and again, you have to consider interactions with other medications that you're thinking of prescribing. So, there are some differences in terms of your approach. But in terms of the actual treatments that we would prescribe, be it medications or electroconvulsive therapy, commonly known as shock treatments, or psychotherapy... the approaches can be more or less identical, except for consideration of medications, medical conditions, and things like that. JO  30:28 What's the link between seniors' mental health and healthy lifestyle choices? ANIA  30:34 Well, I'm glad you bring that up, Jo. I think we need to get a little bit better at having those discussions around lifestyle factors and choices. There is no doubt that certain lifestyle choices are detrimental to not just physical well being, but also mental well being. For example, let's say increased BMI or obesity is associated with decreased well-being. And that can lead you to say, pain, because if you are overweight, you're more likely to have joint issues, particularly in your lower extremities. Issues that relate to poor mobility, for example, that can come from it. And that could lead to isolation. And pain, of course, can also increase the risk of depression, especially. So, certainly the lifestyle choices we make a great difference, say alcohol or smoking, be another lifestyle factor that would be important to consider. So, I do think we need to get a little bit better or a lot better at promoting healthy lifestyle choices. And helping people understand that the decisions we make now will have some consequences even later on in our lives. JO  31:42 So, Marjorie, you've been watching seniors in a variety of settings for decades. What are the most common transitional challenges you've seen? And why are they so difficult? MARJORIE  31:55 Well, the third chapter of life brings around many, many changes. And when I was doing work within residential care settings and seniors living sites, I saw just such an angst developed within a family when an older adult was becoming frailer. And there was just so much stress involved. Everybody was in more reaction around whatever change was happening. And so, when I decided to start sort of a holistic model of elder care and move into running my own business, it was because all of these transitions, and there's so many aren't there... when I started, it was the older, frailer senior. And often they were having to look at making a move out of perhaps the family home or a home that they had been in for a long time. And there'd be so much disagreement that would come up within the family and different ideas about what should be done. I think we all like to hang on to our independence, and so that was one of the major transitions that I was dealing with a lot was trying to support the family, looking at the physical change or transition that might need to happen as far as their living environment. But then try to help the family to understand all the emotional aspects that were going on, from the different perspectives of the older senior. And then often the adult children, and everybody was viewing things differently. So that's one of the major things that I have been supporting people with initially, to try to help the family as a whole move through this and stay supportive of each other, and also compassionate and understanding of the loss that is occurring, because any transition we make in life, whether is moving from a position that we're in, thinking about retirement, letting go of that part of our identity, if it's a loss of a family member, spouse or child... this deep loss in a lot of ways we don't understand that any transition brings forward losses that perhaps we haven't felt or dealt with that have occurred over our lifetime. Especially the silent generation, often, they weren't given permission to feel the emotions of loss when there was something that really was needing that. And so that grief comes forward. And I think people don't understand that. And so there becomes a lot of reactionary difficulty that comes up with families. So that's one of the big transitions is actually, even though 90% of seniors when studied want to age in place in their home, that's just not always practical. And so, it kind of evolved as I was supporting families as a whole and going through that type of transition. I then began to hear more from the adult children. And this just happened organically that were beginning to consider retirement. And they seem to need a lot of support. mostly as boomers, wondering how they were going to cope with this. Who were they going to be? How are they going to see themselves? How were other people going to see them? And so that is a lot of transition I deal with now, of the sort of the journey of moving into the eldering years, and how we need to change our way of thinking about ourselves... often let go of the past, of things that we're regretting or holding on to that will continue to cause us stress if we can embrace kind of... well, I call it conscious eldering, but it's really looking at all the different aspects of aging. So, of course loss for me, as I've been working with this so intimately for 10 years in this way, is the loss that comes forward over and over and over again, and how people are afraid to be vulnerable within perhaps a grieving that hasn't been resolved. But also thinking and knowing that as we go through all these transitions in the third chapter, whether it's physically, emotionally, cognitively, or perhaps we are developing a different spiritual attitude towards life, as our death is coming closer, and I know we're going to talk about this more, but that just seems to be the majority of my work now is trying to help people to talk about that, as they're going through transition. JO  36:45 Given that we all face transitional challenges in the third chapter of our lives... and at 66 I'm already starting to feel some of those... what is 'eldering well'? I know you talk about that as a concept. And also 'elder care', can you tell us more about those. MARJORIE  37:04 I've just turned 70 myself, so I am definitely well into this whole process myself. And it's kind of an interesting journey to the aging at this point, and still involved in working. So, the things that I am trying to talk to other people about, obviously, I'm having to look at within myself, as I'm now really moving through my own eldering journey. There are so many people as they're going through these transitions in this chapter that they fight against getting older. I do a lot of teaching and workshops, and I just hear it so much. And I watched my own mom, too, because she was living with me as she was going through her last year of her life, fighting it the whole way. And I came to realize that this is really such a key aspect of how we go through this stage of our life. Do we fight it? Do we fight that even having to become a little more interdependent, that is part of this stage of life? And if we fight it, wanting to use this word, "I want my independence, I want my independence," we're actually shutting ourselves off from what I think are some of the gifts of this circle of life that we are all in. And so, I talk to people a lot about that. This stage of life is, I realize every year that passes now, you know, even between 65 and 70, is very different, the changes we're going through than in our middle years. Being present with where you're at whether you're in your 60s or 70s, your 80s, or for more and more people who are living into their 90s now, I think elder care is, to me, it's really understanding that growing older does take resilience. We have to cultivate a resilience because there's a great sense of impermanence as you're getting older. And as you see friends die suddenly, or your spouse die much sooner than what's expected, it takes resilience. And I think the more we can improve how well we elder is taking and looking at each other from a more holistic viewpoint of all the emotional changes, the physical changes, the cognitive changes, and also how do we move towards accepting that death? We are all going to go through that. JO  39:36 Well, and that's a perfect segue into my next question. When you and I were preparing for this episode, we talked about dying well, and how death cafes and end of life. doulas can help. Tell us more about that. MARJORIE  39:52 I've done a lot of palliative care and I was intimately involved with both of my parents' final year of life. My dad, when he was dying with cancer, and I left my job to take care of him. And with my mom as well, from really not dying from cancer, but dying, really from old age. I really had to look at this and explore my own fears of death, even though I thought I was more comfortable with it than some people, having gone through that with my parents so closely. I think this is another big part of, I guess, us opening more to the vulnerability that we're all going to die. And we're all going to experience more death, particularly at this stage of life. And so, understanding that it's closer as we crossover into our 60s... I think right then you start to feel... wow, gee, this came awful fast. And we know that the completion of our life comes at the end of this chapter. But can we really talk about that? Can we really face what our fears might be about that? I think it's a very important part of shifting this paradigm to embracing this stage of life, both the challenges of it... and also, as we embrace the challenges, I think we can open more to the joys that there are at this stage of life. There are many... even sitting with your parents as they're coming to their death. There are so many gifts in that, I think as we can talk about this more and be more willing to embrace the aspect of our parents coming to their death, and being with them, I just can't tell you the gifts I received from that. And then it has helped me from how I watched my parents come to their deaths, one fighting at completely and the other just surrendering to it. It showed me that I wanted to just start surrendering and letting go more at this stage of my life. JO  42:02 My mom and I were very close. She died when she was 88 and she had two requests. One was that she die at home, and that she die in my arms. And that actually unfolded that way. And I have to say that it was one of the most, if not the most meaningful, experience of my whole life. It was transformative. MARJORIE  42:26 It was for me, too. It absolutely transformed me going through at the age of 40 my dad's death and that time I spent with him. I think there's a real trend moving to end of life doulas... I have two on staff myself because I feel it's an important part. People need support with it. It is not easy to sit with somebody you love who is dying. It's hard. It's hard. It's rewarding. But I think that we are seeing more and more end-of-life doulas being educated. I talk a lot to families of how much value I got from this, and encourage and support them, and that's what end-of- life doulas do. That's important part of us moving forward to embracing death in a much healthier way. I think society is still in the dark ages around it, to be honest. JO  43:20 Naomi, let's bring you now back into the conversation. I so admire your devotion to your mother's care. I'm really interested to know what drives this devotion. NAOMI  43:33 For me really, when I was growing up, my mother was my best friend. We talked about all kinds of different things, she was very open, and created a safe space for me to share. So, we were quite close. And I'll always hold those memories at the forefront of my mind, even as her behavior changes, or her cognition declines, I just still hold those memories ever present. And so that really does inspire my devotion, as well as I know that if the roles were reversed, she would do her best to care for me. So, I feel inclined and really drawn to do the best for her. And moreover, if I don't provide the care, who will? Who is there to step up and provide that level of care? So, it's both an obligation as well as a gift. JO  44:27 One of the things we talked about while preparing for this podcast was the need for intergenerational knowledge and support related to seniors' mental health issues. As a young person who lives in that world, what do you think other young people need to know? NAOMI  44:46 There seems to be a stigma around aging, which we've touched on, and I know we will talk about later, where somehow older adults aren't always held in the same regard as youth. And that goes to show as well for dementia, where it's more of an out of sight out of mind, where we've really constructed our society around that. And I find that extremely disheartening, because I think there's exceptional knowledge to be gained from engaging older adults, as well as people living with dementia. I really think that there's immense knowledge that can be derived from building these relationships with older adults. And I'll just give you an example for myself. I know at the onset of the pandemic, I really wanted to try to make a difference, and I know there was a lot of seniors being isolated. So, I had reached out to the Seniors' Outreach and Resource Center locally and just express my interest in helping out. I was paired with a senior that was also looking for support. And basically, what I would do was to call her once a week for about a ten-minute conversation... just ask her about how her day was, what her plan was for the weekend, how she was feeling. And I couldn't believe the immense amount of gratitude I felt for my time... it was just so touching and rewarding. She had expressed how it was really helping her... I actually really felt like it was helping me, and I was really making a difference in contributing in a meaningful way. I really think to foster these intergenerational discussions is really about seeing the value that can be offered by really just engaging that conversation and engaging older adults. JO  46:40 Along that same vein, we talked about bringing young people into the conversation early, by way of what you call "courageous conversations." Tell us about that. NAOMI  46:52 I've been advocating for this for years, because realistically, aging and death is a part of life and an inevitability. Yet I find that we don't often have open and honest discussions about this topic. So, I routinely encourage people to have these courageous conversations... to really talk about those hard, often not discussed, topics so that you can have these discussions while your loved one still has all of their faculties and can express their wishes. For instance, asking a parent if they would prefer to be buried or cremated, or do they want to do-not-resuscitate order in place? If they were on a ventilator, and they were in a vegetative state, would they want to continue in that state? Or would they want to move past that? These conversations that you have, while difficult will really inform future decisions. That way, you won't have to run into the same scenario, or people will not have to run into the same scenario as I did, where I'm making a decision on behalf of someone else, rather than bringing their wishes to actualization. You'll be more grateful and thankful that you had these conversations than if you had not. JO  48:12 Tell us about other opportunities we have to help seniors mental health by bridging that generation gap. NAOMI  48:20 By bridging this intergenerational gap. It can really fight isolation and loneliness, which we know is so prevalent at the moment. And I think one way to do that is really working towards intergenerational programming. So really bringing together people from different age populations around activities that focus either on young children or older adults. And there are some examples where this is being undertaken successfully. There is a St. Joseph's Home for the Asian Hospice in Singapore, that's not really adhering to the typical nursing home. The facility includes a childcare centre that accommodates about 50 children. And at the centre of St. Joseph's courtyard is an intergenerational playground that really fosters spontaneous interactions between older adults living in the nursing home and the little ones that are being cared for at the childcare centre. And I think these creative solutions really do promote that intergenerational and community connection that's needed to combat isolation and loneliness. JO  49:30 Earlier, Rick talked about the onset and extent of seniors' mental health challenges being affected by innate personal characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, and genetics, and developmental factors such as childhood experiences and educational status. So, let's have a bit of a free for all here. First of all, how do risks and experiences differ between younger seniors and elderly ones? Ania, maybe you could jump in first. ANIA  50:04 I think one way that I think of it is, unfortunately, as we become older, there are some risks that increase the numbers will be risks of, say, for example, cognitive impairment or dementia. So, of course, much older seniors will have a higher risk of developing a cognitive disorder. Other factors that come in through, again, increasing frailty or other medical conditions as increased risk of falling or mobility issues. And of course, that can result in increased risk of isolation, decreased quality of life, as say, an arthritic condition advances that can cause more pain. So, that again, impacts the sense of well-being as well as a sense of decrease in quality of life, or decrease access to activities because of pain or stiffness, and things like that. So, I would say there's definitely a difference there. JO  50:53 Marjorie, what do you see? MARJORIE  50:56 We're seeing, obviously, as people are getting into their upper 80s, definitely, I see a lot more risk and with people living in their own home, and with the cognitive changes that do occur. It seems we're seeing more of the early onset types of dementia as well, which is quite shocking and worrisome. There's risk at any stage of life, because of the unexpected physical things that can happen. My brother-in-law had a massive stroke at the age of 61. And no one expected that at all to happen at that time. We may be faced with extreme physical challenges. So, it sort of runs the whole gamut, I think, between this stage of life. JO  51:40 Naomi, any comments? NAOMI  51:42 I have a unique case because my mom was diagnosed at such a young age. And I found for me personally, what I find is that in terms of accessibility, and funding for services, is quite a bit of a disparity between a younger senior and an older senior. So, I find that if you're 65 and under, and you're looking for services, it seems that the responsibility often falls to the family to cover expenses. Whereas once you pass the age of retirement and go to 65, then there's old age security, guaranteed income supplement, and so on different medical and government benefits that kick in that do assist, and the financial responsibilities not in the same way to families. I find that's what I have been seeing, and it is a concern for me as Marjorie had mentioned, with the increased prevalence of diagnosis around younger onset. JO  52:44 What are the risks for men versus women? MARJORIE  52:47 Men, in my experience, as I see them going through the transitions, particularly moving from their work positions into retirement, seem to have a higher risk of depression. Often their identity was very well defined within their work environment. Somebody that I've experienced that went through that and shared his story with me, it's quite interesting, after his wife died and he had moved into retirement, he did find himself becoming very depressed. I think men and women respond to this differently. I think women reach out much more to their women friends and tend to be able to talk about that more openly sometimes the men can. JO  53:36 Ania, what does your clinical practice show? ANIA  53:39 One of the things that I think that's what Marjorie has spoken to is the increase in depression amongst men. And I think the big thing that I always think of in terms of those differences is that men are at a much higher risk of completing suicide, in terms of senior women versus senior men. So that's always a big concern. When we do see depression or severe depression is that increased risk of suicide. In terms of women one thing is that, unfortunately, women are more likely to develop cognitive disorder or dementia type of illness. And because they live longer on average than men, they may experience more sense of isolation or loneliness because of losing a partner or losing their friends or other family members. So that can also be a concern. NAOMI  54:22 If I might interject, one thing I find that's very interesting in this regard, and I don't know if you guys have heard about this, but it's called the widowhood effect. When it comes to life expectancy, after a spouse dies, if the husband dies, her life expectancy is twelve-and-a-half years. However, if the husband is the surviving spouse, that life expectancy is about nine-and-a-half years. So, it's quite a big disparity between those two life expectancies, and I do think it has to do a lot with connection. Husbands and men often turn to their wives for that social connection, whereas, and this is a generalization, women often have friends that they seek out and are more able to discuss what's going on in their life. And so, I see this as part of the reason for this discrepancy in life expectancy. JO  55:16 What about the mental health risks for marginalized communities such as indigenous folks, or LGBTQ communities? MARJORIE  55:27 I was asked to come and just talk to a seniors' group of LGBTQ here in our community, because the person running the group felt that there's just so much pain and sadness being expressed by people who were dealing with so much negativity around, non inclusiveness of this group. Many of them felt that they didn't know where to turn as they were getting older, because there doesn't seem to be an openness, even within seniors housing, to even talk to them about it, or create a space where they feel accepted. There was just so much pain expressed in that meeting that I had with them. I did go and talk to a couple of the retirement communities hear about it, and just started trying to create a dialogue. Because I think it's just something they don't think about, that there are a large number of people in this group, and they're seeming to suffer with it. So, I think it's another area where there needs to be a lot more discussion and dialogue and creating an openness that they need to feel included, and they still have the barriers that have sort of been there for a long time for them. JO  56:46 So, Ania, what's your experience with people from marginalized communities? ANIA  56:52 I think it's definitely an important topic to discuss, as Marjorie has mentioned. One of the things that I've noticed is, as we get older, we sort of carry with us our life experiences. And looking at Indigenous elders, a number of them would have likely experienced the residential school system, and the trauma associated with that separation from family... potential for abuse. So, those are the kinds of traumas that they will carry on. We know that Indigenous folks also are at much higher risk for struggling with adequate housing or adequate supports. I know within our communities, there are more resources,  but if you look at smaller communities, that becomes a significant concern. And also, some of the difficulties they experienced within their families, because we know that Indigenous people are, unfortunately, more affected by violence and substance use. So of course, that has an impact on the elderly as well. And then in terms of LGBTQ patients... one thing that I find interesting talking with my patients who have lived these lives for so many decades, is obviously being a member of an LGBTQ [community] is much more accepted now in our society. But it wasn't always the case, and sometimes it was completely unacceptable so-called lifestyle. And so to speak to my patients about their experience, and it was like for them to eventually come out or to transition to a different gender and what I was like them in terms of the impact that had on them, personally, their families, their job opportunities, and things like that, and our younger adult life is really humbling to hear what they have had to go through and how much it's still impacting them now. So, I do agree, I think we need to pay more attention. I'm not suggesting that being a member of the LGBT group is now easy, because there are certainly challenges and struggles that continue. But I do think that for the folks in the age group of my patients, that definitely was a very different experience than it's the one that after decades can be very traumatizing for my patients. JO  58:54 Naomi, what do you see in your work? NAOMI  58:57 I really see... especially in long-term care, homes... customs, and traditions that are outside of, I guess, the norm, or what's been created around or not really being considered, let alone incorporated into programming. So, I find that when these marginalized communities, or if they do actually seek support, the supports that are available to them aren't really designed for them, and don't help in the way that they need. So, I definitely think having them play a part in the creation of programming and designing of programs is really crucial to ensure that we're accounting for those considerations, those customs, those traditions that maybe are not thought of otherwise. JO  59:49 This is amazing! I'm just so thrilled that you're all coming at this from such different perspectives. It's very robust. Ania, this is a question for you. What about the role of genetics? ANIA  1:00:02 Genetics definitely will play a role in certain aspects of our physical and mental well being. There are certain conditions that are more likely to be impacted by genetic influences. For example, early onset Alzheimer's Disease is unfortunately associated with higher risk because of genetic influences. Certain other conditions, for example depression, can also have a genetic component to it as well. And then, of course, genetics around other medical conditions that will impact the quality of life and sense of well-being of a senior can also be important. For example, breast cancer... there are some types of breast cancers that are very strongly associated with a genetic risk and can result in developing cancer in your 20s or 30s even. There's certainly a role there to be considered for patients who may have a family history of particular conditions. NAOMI  1:00:55 Genetics does play a role. I also think prevention does play a key role. But for me, as a child of someone that was diagnosed with younger onset dementia, that means I have a 50% likelihood of developing the disease. I already have genetics working against me. So realistically, I only have prevention at this point, especially given that there is no treatment or cure for dementia at this point. So, I'm taking every precaution, but that's something that is already working against me. JO  1:01:30 What does prevention look like in your particular case? NAOMI  1:01:34 Personally, staying mentally well is very important. Continuing to expand my mind, continuing to really stretch my cognitive activity, whether it's learning a new language, or doing anything outside of my comfort zone, that's really going to push me... that's another way. Really maintaining those social connections. One thing I've definitely been trying to work on because my mom was a bit of a worrier, herself. So, unfortunately, whether genetic or not, I seem to have taken on that attribute, as well. So, I've really been working to be a bit more mindful and really harness the practice of meditation, to calm the mind and really get connected and rooted. Healthy eating... some things that we know through research that have a dramatic impact on the likelihood of developing a cognitive impairment. JO  1:02:33 Marjorie, any observations? MARJORIE  1:02:36 I think this is so significant, Jo, and what Naomi is saying, because having grown up with a parent that when I was eight was diagnosed as being bipolar... and living in really an environment that is traumatic in itself because of the uncertainty that went on constantly... and the behaviors that you didn't understand as a child. And so, I think for both Naomi and myself, having experienced this with a parent... having very difficult mental health issue... there almost isn't enough support, I don't think, for the children of parents that do have mental health major concerns. Because it really plays on you just even this aspects of the genetics, because I used to often be thinking and worrying about it, because there's history genetically too with bipolar, but it creates a fear. And I think sometimes we need to be providing more support in different ways for children of parents with mental health concerns. I don't think we do enough with that, to be honest. JO  1:03:44 We touched on the risks for people from marginalized communities. What about ethnicity? Are certain racial groups more prone to specific mental health challenges? Ania, let's start with you. ANIA  1:03:59 One of the things that comes up in research, and it's not necessarily maybe an issue of ethnicity but more of immigration, is that some studies have shown that immigrants are at a higher risk of developing an illness that involves psychosis. So, that could be schizophrenia, for example. And that seems to be a factor. The thing that I think about the most in terms of my own experience within my family, or my experience as a physician... treating patients from different ethnic backgrounds... it's more really about cultural expectations that families and patients bring into the discussion. This may be around accepting of diagnoses. This may be around expectations around caregiving. In many cultures, different ethnicities, there is definitely a different approach to providing care to elders, typically in the home and typically by the family, which is a little bit different from some of the more kind of Anglo-Saxon Western nations. And also, expectations around seeking help and even accepting mental illness for what it is because of stigma... or even very practical things like challenges around language, especially for more recent immigrants that may be a challenge or senior immigrants who come to Canada who have not had an opportunity to learn English to express some of their concerns. And sometimes it's about access as well. And again, that ties in to the maybe sometimes the language concerns. So those are the kinds of things that I sort of look at, in terms of impact of maybe ethnicity or cultural differences. JO  1:05:33 Marjorie or Naomi, any comments? NAOMI  1:05:36 It's like she took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to say the exact same thing, I think cultural sensitivity about mental health. In a lot of different cultures that's not accepted to talk about, or it's not recognized in the same way. So, I wholeheart

Spokesmama Lisa Corriveau is keeping busy in Vancouver, BC! She chats with Joan and Guthrie about bicycling with her kids, being a car-free family, volunteering with Cycling Without Age, and her job as a cycling instructor for HUB Cycling, teaching kids and adults how to ride a bike. She also shares how arthritis has impacted … Continue reading E581 – Biking in Vancouver, BC with Spokesmama Lisa Corriveau →

Now it's time for "Reimagining Ireland", what would you like to see in a post pandemic Ireland? Perhaps car free towns and cities and putting the push bike first? Henry McKean jumped on his fold up bike and took a ride on the new Blackrock to Dun Laoghaire cycle path, meeting experts who have redesigned the town of Blackrock in Dublin, giving pedestrians and cyclists priority. Has it made a difference?   With contributions from Robert Burns Director, Infrastructure, Sustainable Mobility and Climate Change, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. And Clara Clarke Irish Founder from Cycling Without Age.

This episode of the podcast is a recording from our Friday Fireside way back in November last year. We were joined by our good friend Ole Kassow, an inspiration to us ever since we started The Happy Startup School back in 2012. He's the founder of https://thehappystartupschool.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99c773c71f40c7853b5274dac&id=257dc3b612&e=bd33a4a367 (Cycling Without Age), a movement on a mission to create a world where the elderly remain an active part of society and the local community. Since 2012 it's grown from a single cargo bike in Copenhagen to 2000 chapters in 50 countries, serving over 1.5 million people worldwide. But when Ole first started it wasn't meant to turn into a movement. It was just an experiment to see if he could put a smile on the face of an elderly gentleman by getting him on a bike. Retrofitting a cargo bike with a seat he took the man out for a spin which not only put a smile on the old man's face, but also on Ole's. The rest is now history. Listen to this episode to learn what it really takes to be a changemaker. You don't always need big plans to create systemic change. Think big, but start small. In Ole's experience most stories of systemic change have started with an individual trying to solve a very specific problem with a simple solution. Also, it isn't just about creating impact for others but also about finding joy in the work. You're then more likely to keep doing it and also recruit others easily. Find a solution that inspires people. Ole encourages budding change makers to connect their personal story to their story of change. This makes the work feel more meaningful and it also makes it easier to connect with others. You can find out more about Ole and his work here - https://cyclingwithoutage.org/

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Theresa Robertshaw helps the elderly get back on bicycles by taking them for rides on an adapted electric tricycle. The mission of Cycling Without Age is to create happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community.

How many times do we hear "that virus is just killing older people" or "at that age what would you expect?" Loneliness is an issue no matter what age. Everyone deserves dignity and happy life at all stages of their lives. We connected with Singapore to talk with Marieke, a Dutch woman that took the typical Dutch cycling culture to Singapore. She did more than that though, she understood that connecting the generations and getting people to spend time together while going for a bicycle ride, it is simply priceless and can easily give years of life back as she explained. Cycling Without Age is more than just going out for a tour with someone "carrying you". It is about making sure the elderly people understand how much we respect them, how much we can learn with them, and belong to a world that is more and more disconnected. This podcast is dedicated to all people that suffer from loneliness anywhere in this world, as that shouldn't ever happen to anyone. Let's #TalkItThru Together! #elderly #socialinclusion #aging #cycling #socialawareness #healthylife #experience #sharing #knwowledge #wisdom #socialresponsibility

What can cold cities, where people nonetheless bike year-round through snow and seemingly endless hours of darkness, tell us about what it takes to make better streets? In this episode, Sarah reports back from her trip to Finland and the the 8th annual Winter Cycling Conference, held in Joensuu and Helsinki in early February. How does active transportation figure into Helsinki's goal to become the world “most functional city”? What's the right way to prioritize transportation modes? And why are most fully grown Americans less rugged than the average Finnish 11-year-old?  Support The War on Cars on Patreon. Rate and review the war effort on iTunes. Buy a War on Cars T-shirt at Cotton Bureau.   SHOW NOTES:  You can find all the presentations from the 2020 World Cycling Congress in Joensuu on the Congress website. Here's a little movie that shows some of what it was like. See if you can spot Sarah!  Coverage of the conference from Bicycle Dutch: Cycling in the Finnish snow Winter Cycling Congress 2020 in Joensuu Coverage of the conference from The Guardian: Winter wheelies: Finland blazes trail in keeping citizens cycling and healthy Why Finland leads the field when it comes to winter cycling Check out opportunities for winter adventure cycling in Eastern Finland with Karu Survival. The end music for the episode, from the song “Cold Dead Eyes,” comes courtesy of Joensuu thrash metal band Killing Attack. You can find more of their music on Spotify. Special thanks to Tony Desnick of Cycling Without Age, Oskari Kaupinmäki of the City of Helsinki, Matti Hirvonen of the Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities, Timo Perälä of the Winter Cycling Federation, Markku Pyykkönen of the City of Joensuu, and Maria Halava-Napoles at the Finnish Consulate in New York. Find us on Twitter: @TheWarOnCars, Aaron Naparstek @Naparstek, Doug Gordon @BrooklynSpoke, Sarah Goodyear @buttermilk1. Email us: thewaroncars@gmail.com https://thewaroncars.org  

Brendan Donahoo is Secondary School teacher and father of two young boys. In this episode he shares some fascinating stories from dodging buffalos whilst cycling across Asia with his father, to the benefits of teaching beekeeping to 16 and 17 year olds.

A fascinating interview with Len Wholey, a Brookline Town Meeting Member (precinct 11), who is also on the Bike Advisory Committee and involved with making Brookline safer for bicycling. Hear about his efforts on the bridle path, a protected bike lane that will run on Beacon Street from Saint Mary's Street to Cleveland Circle, as well as his involvement with the organization Cycling Without Age. When people ask, what makes Brookline special, the answer is efforts like this from people like Len! Real estate questions? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** **Avi Kaufman, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com ** **Ron Scharf, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122 **

In der aktuellen Folge sind Ole Kassow und Pernille Bessone von Cycling Without Age zu Gast bei Reich durch Radeln. Die dänische NGO organisiert Radausfahrten und Radreisen für Altersheim-Bewohner. Vor sieben Jahren hat Ole Kassow Cycling Without Age in Kopenhagen gegründet. Schuld daran war Thorkilde, ein 95-Jähriger Bewohner eines Altersheims in Oles Nachbarschaft. Jeden Tag radelte er an Thorkilde vorbei, der saß dort auf einer Bank in der Sonne und hat grüßte die vorbeilaufenden Schülerinnen und Schüler und eben auch Ole. "Ich habe fieberhaft überlegt, wie ich ihn wieder aufs Rad bringe", erzählt Ole Kassow im Podcast. Heute organisieren die Freiwilligen von Cycling Without Age in 42 Ländern mit ihren roten Rikschas Ausflüge mit den betagten Senioren. Exakt 1.643 Chapter – so nennt die NGO die lokalen Gruppen – gibt es derzeit weltweit. Sie organisieren die freiwilligen Piloten der Rikschas in Kooperation mit den Altersheimen. Auf den Ausfahrten entstehen so langjährige Freundschaften, die Passagiere kommen mit Menschen außerhalb der Altersheime in Kontakt und fühlen sich für ein paar Stunden wieder frei und mobil. Highlights sind ohne Frage die mehrtägigen Radreisen, die erste führte von Kopenhagen nach Hamburg. In Österreich ist Cycling Without Age schon länger vertreten, den Anfang machte Lustenau. Es folgten Salzburg, die Steiermark, Tirol und erst vor einem Monat die Bundeshauptstadt. Bei ihrem Besuch in Wien nahmen sie Ole und Pernille Zeit für ein ausführliches Gespräch über die Initiative. Eines können wir versprechen: Die Begeisterung der beiden ist ansteckend! Links: Cyclings Without Age, weltweit: cyclingwithoutage.org Radeln ohne Alter, Österreich: radelnohnealter.at TedTalk Ole Kassow (2014, Kopenhagen): youtube.com/TedTalk_Kassow Mini-Reportage über eine Radreise: youtube.com/Finn   Über diese Folge: Interviewer: Matthias Bernold und Magdalena Jöchler Produktion / Schnitt: Magdalena Jöchler Über diesen Podcast: In unserem Fahrrad-Podcast "Reich durch Radeln" (RDR) beleuchten wir velophile Erfolgsgeschichten. Wir sprechen mit Menschen, die durch das Radfahren reich geworden sind. "Reichtum" – so wie wir das verstehen – kann Reichtum an Geld oder an immateriellen Werten sein. Das Team von RDR besteht derzeit aus Matthias Bernold, Klaus Brixler und Magdalena Jöchler. Die Musik stammt von MC Broko. Wir haben im ARGUS-Büro in der Frankenberggasse (oberhalb des Argus-Shops) unser Pop-Up-Studio eingerichtet, wo wir die meisten Interviews aufnehmen. Danke bei dieser Gelegenheit an ARGUS und das österreichische Fahrradmagazin Drahtesel, die uns diese Räumlichkeiten und ihre Infrastruktur zur Verfügung stellen. Wenn euch unsere Arbeit gefällt: liked uns und kommentiert Reich-Durch-Radeln auf eurer Podcast-Plattform. Wenn ihr die Interessen der Radfahrenden in Österreich unterstützen und über das Radfahren in Österreich auf dem Laufenden bleiben wollt, könnt ihr außerdem den Drahtesel hier abonnieren. Wir freuen uns über euer Feedback und eure Kritik. Bitte an ReichDurchRadeln@posteo.de

The Right To Wind In Your Hair! Blair Crawford speak to Dave Smith from Cycling Without Age, Wessex - a new chapter of a growing network volunteers making a huge difference to the lives of older people. FIRST BROADCAST: 18/07/19

Marieke Bink didn't think she'd head a business some time in her life. But after seeking a career change and moving from her hometown in Holland to Singapore with her family, she found herself becoming the CEO of Cycling Without Age, a social enterprise that helps the elderly improve their wellbeing. Here's her journey towards finding purpose in her work. We are the Freedom Founders podcast. Join us as we meet Asia's most exciting business founders, driven by a common desire to create their future on their own terms. Explore how they've grown their ideas into incredible ventures and discover tips to kick start your own journey today. FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE Facebook Instagram

Care for a ride? Kinesiology alumnus Carson Sage, founder of the Victoria chapter of Cycling Without Age, shares what inspired him to provide bike rides to seniors. Cycling Without Age is a service that helps them enjoy nature and fresh air as they are driven around the community in a rickshaw-like bike by volunteer cyclists. He talks about the benefits to both the users and the volunteers. He explains how he turned this project into a key component of his Kinesiology Master’s degree. Get on board and enjoy the ride! More on the Victoria chapter of Cycling Without Age: https://cyclingwithoutage.ca/victoria/

Edição de 21 de fevereiro 2019

Edição de 21 Fevereiro 2019

In this episode of Senior Beat, we speak with Mary Brown and Margie Zutter about Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County, an organization that links seniors with volunteering opportunities. Next we speak with Kate Shaw and the Cycling without Age program. Cycling without Age gives seniors an opportunity to explore the outdoors on a specially made passenger bicycle.

In this episode of Senior Beat, we speak with Mary Brown and Margie Zutter about Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County, an organization that links seniors with volunteering opportunities. Next we speak with Kate Shaw and the Cycling without Age program. Cycling without Age gives seniors an opportunity to explore the outdoors on a specially made passenger bicycle.

I recently made a personal pledge to stop reading the news because I just don’t feel good when I’m feeding my brain a constant supply of negativity. It’s been nearly two months and I can already sense how much more uplifted, hopeful and positive I feel. My only source of news now is the Good News Network, which I access through an app on my phone. The stories that Good News Network reports on are amazing, and they remind me that there is so much good in the world. Today’s guest will do the same.   Guest Bio Pernille Bussone is the Global Community Captain for Cycling Without Age, a movement started in 2012 by Ole Kassow in Denmark. Ole wanted to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. Cycling Without Age has now spread to all corners of Denmark, and since 2015, to another 41 countries around the world.   http://cyclingwithoutage.org/   Mentioned in this Episode Option B https://optionb.org/book Ole Kassow’s TedTalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6Ti4qUa-OU   Connect with the 60 Mindful Minutes podcast   Web: https://kristenmanieri.com  Email: Kristen@kristenmanieri.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/60MindfulMinutes Instagram: @kristenmanieri_ 

Cycling without Agewas founded in 2012 by Ole Kassow in Copenhagen. It now includes chapters in 35 countries, with approximately 150 chapters in the US. It was born of Ole's desire to return mobility to seniors in nursing homes. To let them feel "the wind in their hair".  It has also had some amazing unintended side effects! For the passengers getting back out into the community has: brought joy and a sense of "normality" back improved mood promoted new relationships For the volunteers (called pilots) this shared experience has: helped develop new purpose in their lives provided opportunity to learn history, from the people who lived it, in the place where it was lived provided priceless resources of wisdom (and friendship) To find out more about the program, list to Ole's TED Talk To find out how to start a chapter in your community or follow on social media, go to the website: Cycling Without Age (US and Canada) Cycling Without Age (International) Instagram: #cyclingwithoutage Facebook: Cycling Without Age

In today's episode we sit down with Ole Kassow.  Ole acted on an idea.  His idea turned into a movement.  Cycling Without Age  now has chapters throughout the world.  We all have ideas, but do we act on them?  Let Ole tell his story and it may trigger that action, that all ideas must have.

Welcome to the summer series of The Happy Startup School podcasts. We'll be shining a spotlight on the speakers and workshop leaders who will be at our Summercamp in September 2017. Our guest this week is Ole Kassow, founder of Cycling Without Age. Kat and Ole talk about managing real positive change, understanding the boundaries of society, persistence and optimism.

On todays program, lets attempt to avoid daily dystopia and return to 1955 with the Cycling Touring Club (now Cycling UK), on grand day out by train, and listen to some much-needed common sense about joined up transport, which was far more advanced in 1955 than now!If you're interested in cycle touring, why not consider getting involved with Wrenchworthy Bike Shed in Thornbury, the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club or even plan your own trip with friends over summer.Local news includes Julianne Bell, who died last Friday, who was a regular guest on 3CR, force behind Protectors of Public Lands, Save Royal Park and formidable opponent against East West Link, the resignation that bête noire of bicycle riders, Duncan Gay as NSW Transport Minister, first Yarra Bicycle Advocacy Committee Meeting for 2017 (8 February) and the launch of Cycling Without Age in Victoria (31 January) at Fairway Hostel, Sandingham.

Today we have Cheryl Zadrazil the president of the Fox Cities Greenways, Inc. FCGI advocates and provides resources to continue developing trails in the Fox Cities of Wisconsin. She talks about how she got involved, current projects/partnerships, and how to get involved. Fox Cities Greenways: http://foxcitiesgreenways.org/ Cycling Without Age: http://foxcitiesgreenways.org/cycling-without-age/ Photo Contest: http://foxcitiesgreenways.org/photo-contest/ Top Fox 5k run and bike ride: http://foxcitiesgreenways.org/trails/top-fox-5k-run-and-bike-ride/ What is a rickshaw? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickshaw For more information find us at www.menashalibrary.org, or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MenashaLibrary/

Its a stunning early summer morning when Val and Faith welcome Dorthe Pedersen and Nicolas of Cyclng Without Age to the studio. We share our bike moments and a little local news including the release of the Bike Law Book by the Victoria Law Foundation.Dorthe tells us all about Cycling Without Age, from it's inception in Denmark, to its spread around the world, their latest chapter in Tasmania and what they plan to do for the rest of their stay in Australia. Sharing stories as volunteers pedal those who've lost much of their own mobility is proving to be a winning combination, although as Dorthe and Nicolas have already discovered, the tagline "The Right to Wind in Your Hair" acquires an extra piquancy in Australia.We wrap up with a very short list of events leading up to Christmas, including FOJCX.

Cycling Without Age was founded by Ole Kassow; you can see his TED Talk HereThe supplier discussed in the episode is Christiania BikesThe Whanganui River has been granted the rights of a legal personLowe’s Hardware exoskeletonWhite Pomeranian PuppiesThis episode of Catastrophes Notwithstanding was recorded at the Forge Steamworks Studio in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Production Designer was Twig.