Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors

In this episode hosts Raeann Rideout and Sherry Baker speak with Bridgette Murphy, CEO of Age Well. Most seniors want to age in place, but navigating the latest tech can feel overwhelming and expensive. What if the answer isn't just innovation, but inclusive innovation? Bridgette reveals how Canada's leading aging tech network is empowering older adults and caregivers to co-create solutions that really work, and are affordable too. Imagine a world where smart gloves help Parkinson's patients stabilize tremors and regain daily independence, or AI-powered home sensors discreetly monitor safety without invading privacy. The opportunities are enormous, but only...

In this episode hosts Raeann Rideout and Pauline Luening speak with author and journalist Moira Welsh about her new book, 'The Astonishing Lives of Older Women'. They explore the financial realities faced by older women, including the gender pension gap, the impact of divorce, and innovative living arrangements that can provide companionship and financial relief. Moira shares stories of women who have navigated these challenges, and emphasizes the importance of planning for the future and the value of community and friendship in aging vibrantly.

Moira Welsh is a Toronto based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Toronto...

In this special episode we listen, learn, and share as we stitch together stories from an Anishinaabe view on Aging Well.

We are honoured to host this interview with our guests Alice Olsen Williams, a renowned artist and quiltmaker and member of Oshkiigmong Curve Lake First Nation, Dr. Nadine Changfoot from the Trent Centre for Aging & Society at Trent University in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong (Treaty 20), Ontario and co-host, Debra Sayewich, a member of the Wasauksing First Nation, Potawatomi Nation, Robinson Huron Treaty 1850 and a member of the Aging Vibrantly Podcast senior advisory committee.

In this episode...

In this episode, we explore how libraries go beyond just a place to borrow books. We dive into how they have become a central community "hub" - a free and welcoming space to read, study, work, access technology, socialize in programs and activities and to connect with others. You may be surprised to learn about the diverse programs and services libraries offer older adults to create connections, learning opportunities and a sense of belonging. We hope by listening to this lively discussion, you will be empowered with more knowledge on the role of libraries and librarians.

Until...

In this episode of Aging Vibrantly we learn about the Men's Sheds in Canada.

Men's Sheds provide welcoming spaces where men - often older or retired - get together in their community to share experiences and skills, discover new interests, make new friends, support each other and contribute to their communities.

For many men, aging and retirement can lead to loneliness and a loss of purpose, but Men's Sheds, a unique and growing movement, is addressing these issues among older men across Canada!

As men age, maintaining relationships and community connections becomes increasingly...

This is part 2 of our Aging Vibrantly episode on raising awareness on the issue of dementia in Canada.

We are honoured to be joined with 3 esteemed guests; Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Jane Rylett and Claire Webster, who share their wealth of knowledge in research; policy and practice to help us better understand Dementia. Dementia significantly impacts the lives of many Canadians, particularly for older adults and their caregivers. That's why this episode is so important. Canadians of all ages need to be knowledgeable about dementia, have access to information and support to lower their risk and acknowledge...

Dementia significantly impacts the lives of many Canadians, particularly for older adults and their caregivers. Canadians of all ages need to be knowledgeable about dementia, have access to information and support to lower their risk and acknowledge their role in combating stigma surrounding dementia.

In this episode we are joined with 3 esteemed guests; Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Jane Rylett and Claire Webster, share their wealth of knowledge in research, policy and practice to help us better understand Dementia in Canada.

We had such a comprehensive and informative discussion with our guests that we've decided to...

In this episode we talk with Carolynne Mahood, Founder of On Your Own Time about why age diversity and inclusion in the workplace matters.

Across Canada, many older adults who want or need to keep working are being overlooked, not because they lack ability but because of ageism. When older adults are excluded from meaningful work, it not only impacts their income and independence, it can also reinforce ageist stereotypes that contribute to social isolation, a known risk factor for abuse.

One approach to building age-inclusive, future-ready workplaces is to provide employers with tailored and...

On this episode of Aging Vibrantly, we demystify the world of wills and undue influence in estate planning.

Understanding the legalities of a will, undue influence and court proceedings can be complex. So, we speak to two lawyers, Joanna Weiss, and Emily Caza from Whaley Estate Litigation Partners (WEL Partners) to help us break down these issues and to clarify the following issues:

We all have a need for social connections, to talk to someone about our day, events in our lives, share stories or whatever is on our mind. Social connections, how we relate to and interact with others, are important to reduce social isolation and loneliness for all ages, but particularly for older adults as we age.

In this Episode of Aging Vibrantly, we will talk with France Connor, Manager of 'A Friendly Voice', that provides a free call-in service for adults over 55 years old who live in Ontario or Atlantic Canada. When an older adult calls the...

We live in a society that is increasingly separating individuals into age-based groups, which can lead to limited interaction and the potential for negative stereotypes and discrimination, particularly towards older adults. So how can we best address this to build connections and relationships between age groups and generations.

In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host April Struthers, feature the University of Toronto's Intergenerational Classroom, with guests Dr. Raza Mirza, professor and creator of the program, alongside with Florene Shuber a senior participant of the course, who is also a resident of Christie Gardens...

In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with Dr. Kirsten Madsen and Liza Franses about standing up against senior bullying and the development of Solutions: Everyone's Business. Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit.

We begin our interview with a brief background on the aim of the project, and evolution of the Toolkit, including the need and importance for the Toolkit, including the collection of data on the prevalence and nature of Senior to Senior bullying in Ontario, Canada that demonstrated seniors have experienced being bullied, engaged in bullying behaviours as well...

Are you providing or receiving care? In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, we speak with Amy Coupal, CEO of Ontario Caregivers Organization (OCO). Podcast host, Raeann Rideout and co-host Tom Warner, learned about the amazing work the OCO conducts to support Ontario's four million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours.

Our discussion led to understanding the current and future concerns and complexities, prospective caregivers are facing in Ontario and what may be needed support them, based on OCO's recent Preparing to Care Report. We also speak about the...

We are excited to launch Season 2 of Aging Vibrantly with an inspiring leader who is committed to 'making Canada the best place in the world to give and receive care! In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with James Janeiro, Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence (CCCE).

According to the CCCE, "Canada is facing a caregiving crisis that will only get worse without real action. A perfect storm is brewing, demand for care is growing, caregivers are aging, the number of available caregivers is shrinking"...

In Episode 2 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.

In part 2 of our interview, Ashton dives into how we internalize aging and explore the connection between ageism and elder abuse, tips for encouraging intergenerational conversations on aging and her advocacy work as co-founder the Old School Hub, and success stories of Ageism Campaigns, including Ageism Awareness Day, that...

In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, and co-founder of the Old School Hub.

In Part 1 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, Ashton imparts her insights on defining ageism, its prevalence, impacts and where it shows up in our lives from health, policy, and intergenerational dialogue. We learn to check our assumptions and do our own self reflection of internal...

In this final episode of Season 1 of Aging Vibrantly, we are putting a stop to frauds and scams targeting seniors.

Our host Raeann Rideout and co-host Mary Ennis, speak with Stephanie Senecal, the Senior Support Unit Coordinator from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with Karen Deredin and Bonnie Bednarik, who are senior volunteers at the CAFC, who share their wealth of information and their lived experience to help us gain a better understanding of how frauds happen and actions to take to prevent frauds and scams.

Every year, people of all ages fall victim to...

In this episode, Bridging the Gap : Building Generational Connections we explore intergenerational programs that promote understanding and mutual respect among generations, contribute to age friendly communities and have proven to work in addressing ageism. In fact, intergenerational programs are valued and celebrated across Canada and internationally with events held on Intergenerational Day in Canada each year on June 1 and during Global Intergenerational Week which is recognized this year from April 24 - 30, 2025.

Join us to listen to our senior expert on intergenerational learning, Sharon Mackenzie, an educator by profession and an advocate of intergenerational connections who shares her...

In this episode, our guest Olive Bryanton, is the epitome of the life-long learner. Motivated to learn with her unending curiosity and desire to advocate and improve the lives of older adults, we learn about her journey to going back to PEI University to complete her Phd. Floursishing from her research, peer mentoring endevours and organizational connections, led Olive to her current advocacy work in community and government, leadership roles on needs older women in rural areas and role model for other later life learners.

In this episode you will learn :

How Olive defines life...

In this episode, our guest Dr. Gloria Gutman, a pioneer in the work of elder abuse prevention, provides us with a better understanding of elder abuse, how to look for warning signs, who is at risk, and actions we can all take to take to prevent and safeguard against abuse as well shares her insights on what is being done in Canada to raise awareness of this important health and social issue.

In this episode you will learn:

Our guest Jennifer McCrae is a Credentialed Thanatologist, Certified Grief and Loss Specialist and End of Life Doula. We will talk about grief responses, healthy and unhealthy grieving as well as caring for yourself, caregivers and others as you move through loss and grieving.

In this episode you will learn :

· How grief is a natural response to any loss

· What is complicated grief?

· The difference between functional/healthy grief and complicated/unhealthy grief

· Understanding causes and recognising symptoms of complicated grief

· Strategies for famil...

Les gens pensent souvent qu'ils n'ont pas besoin d'une procuration; ils estiment que cela ne concerne que les personnes âgées. Pourtant, tout le monde devrait envisager d'en avoir une, surtout lorsqu'on est encore capable d'exprimer ses souhaits.

Nous allons discuter de ce qu'est une procuration, de ce qu'il faut savoir pour en choisir une, des rôles, responsabilités et obligations, des protections que vous pouvez mettre en place pour vous protéger, ainsi que des options à envisager si l'agent désigné n'agit pas dans votre meilleur intérêt.

À noter, chaque province et territoire...

People often think they don't need to have a Power of Attorney for Property, but in fact everyone should consider having one, especially when they are still capable of expressing their wishes.

In this episode, Power of Attorney for Property: Best Practices and Practical Considerations, our guest Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, engages with us in a lighthearted, yet serious discussion, on what you need to know about making a Power of Attorney (PoA).

In this episode you will learn:

In Episode 3, our guest Margaret MacPherson, speaks on having Supportive Conversations with older adults in your family or community who you may be concerned about regarding their safety and well-being, or living at-risk of harm. Listen to learn about "SNCit", a three-step conversation framework that will inform and empower you to have supportive conversations and strategies on how to overcome our hesitation to help and what to say when someone does not want help.

In this episode you will learn:

Welcome to the Aging Vibrantly Conversations to Empower Seniors podcast, the show where we amplify the voices of seniors.

Join Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, and special guests as they share insights about seniors' rights, ageism, frauds and scams, powers of attorney, mental health and wellness, intergenerational connections, and dispel myths about aging.

Each episode features an older adult who will impart their expertise and wisdom, to enhance our understanding of aging and living a full, safe and fulfilling life with respect and dignity.

This podcast is produced and edited by Todd Miller of T...