Jan 14 2012
One of the pitfalls of getting older is social and intellectual isolation. Often it happens after retirement when we lose our work connections. Sometimes the death of a spouse is the cause. Or, if we get physically or mentally frailer, we don’t have the confidence or the patience we once had, so we stay home. [...]
Dec 31 2011
“When that car was gone I used to look out in that empty space every day. That hurt, really. I was afraid I wouldn’t pass the test and I don’t think I could have taken that. That would’ve been really devastating.” That’s one of the voices from this week’s edition of Old Growth. Click here [...]
Dec 17 2011
“I am reducing my needs in my life, but my life is getting bigger. I feel happy with this choice and I will go for it as long as I can. But I can see that it is not for everybody. You can do a lot in your own community. People say, why do you [...]
Dec 11 2011
A 79-year old triathlete. An 81-year-old competitive swimmer. A 71-year-old runner. A 63-year-old runner and cyclist. In other words, Michael Pratt, Wilma Turner, Barb Saunders, and Lex Baas. They all live in Nelson and three of them competed in the B.C. Senior Games held recently in the West Kootenay. Athletes at the Mic A few [...]
Nov 28 2011
Joan Reichardt tells a story of a woman in her 80s, living alone and in near-poverty, who, if she wants to go anywhere or just get out of the house, is reluctant to ask anyone (friend, neighbour, family member) for a ride. She doesn’t want to impose. The only acceptable excuse to ask someone for [...]
Nov 17 2011
Old Growth, my radio series about life after 65, will be broadcast at 8:30 am Mondays, repeated 2:00 pm Thursdays, on the dates listed below, on Kootenay Co-op Radio at: 93.5 fm Nelson 107.5 fm New Denver 96.5 fm Crawford Bay Weekly links to podcasts will be posted here. 1. Offering Courage to the Young— [...]
Oct 12 2011
There are some things about getting old that have no bright side that I can find. One of them is the possibility of getting Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. But it is consoling to see people deal with a family member’s Alzheimer’s really well. Like Cal and Loree Renwick’s journey through the late [...]
Oct 04 2011
The title is a quote from John Cooper, the venerable Queen’s Bay painter. When the rest of the world gets too crazy, you can go home to your art, he says. Elder Artists For Episode 2 of Old Growth, I had a round table discussion with four elder artists: sculptor John McKinnon (62), performance artist [...]
Sep 29 2011
“It takes a lot of courage to get old.” says Jonathan Taylor. “It is that courage, to continue on in this world despite its difficulties, and despite the difficulties of an aging body and an aging mind, that older people can offer to the young people.” Jonathan is 70 years old. He lives in Nelson. [...]
