Zoomer Week in Review

Eldercare Evolved: AI Companions & Compassion

Exploring AI companions in eldercare: Meet VIV, offering conversation and compassion. We discuss the latest report from the National Institute on Ageing and the transformative role of technology, featuring Catherine Phee's experience with dementia. Is this the future? Dr. Adriana Shnall weighs in.

From Actor to Icon: Zelensky's Showman Journey

Dive into the captivating journey of Volodymyr Zelensky, from actor to wartime leader, as we discuss "The Showman" with Time Correspondent Simon Shuster. This intimate portrait traces Zelensky's evolution from the bright lights of variety shows to the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Explore how he transitioned from comedic actor to an iconic figure leading Ukraine's fight for its future. Join us as we unravel the personal transformation of President Zelensky and the pivotal moments captured in "The Showman."

UN Report finds Hamas likely committed rape during Oct. 7th massacre:

This week, the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict presented a report concluding that rape and gang rape likely occurred during the October 7 Hamas attack in Southern Israel. It also found “clear and convincing” evidence that hostages were raped while being held in Gaza and that those currently held are still facing such abuse. The UN was late to acknowledge these crimes and the fact-finding mission leading to the report took place largely because of the efforts of Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar Ilan University. I spoke with her when she was in town earlier this week.

The Rise of a 100-year-old social media star:

Social media star Mildred Kirschenbaum recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She’s been an online sensation since her 99th birthday when her daughter posted a video with her tips on living to her age. They were so popular that she wrote a book and Libby spoke with her ahead of the launch.

Older Zoomers Are Delaying Their Home Downsizing Plans:

There’s been a demographic shift when it comes to Boomers downsizing from their homes. In fact, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing, Seniors are now less likely to sell their homes before the age of 85, a big change from three decades ago. Boomers are not expected to downsize in a meaningful way until mid-2040. Better health and lack of housing are driving the trend. We reached CMHC Economist Francis Cortellino who authored a recent study that confirms the trend.

Toronto Funeral Homes Worried About Burial Shortages:

Death is often considered a taboo subject, but funeral homes in Toronto are sounding the alarm about a crisis: a lack of space to bury the dead. Some industry experts predict space will run out in a little as 10 years. The dire situation reflects the current housing crisis, where land is a premium. We reached Kim Hunter, Owner of Humphrey Funeral Home to talk about changes in the funeral industry.

Homesharing program pairing Students with Seniors:

An Ontario based company is making intergenerational living normal in Canada. SpacesShared is a home sharing platform that matches students with Seniors who have empty bedrooms and the company says it’s been overwhelmed by requests. With affordable housing more elusive than ever, this program is not only a win for students, but it creates some income and connections for Seniors who face isolation in growing numbers. We reached SpacesShared co-founder and CEO Rylan Kinnon.

New Cars Zoomers Love to Drive:

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has just named the 2024 car of the year. And the winner is: the Toyota Prius. And Toyota also claims other top spots. The awards were just handed out at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Jil McIntosh has been writing about cars for years for various industry publications and she was also a judge at this year’s car show. We reached Jil to find out what older drivers want in a car.

How Canadians Are Enjoying Sex:

On Valentine’s day this week, Sociologist Tina Fetner released a book on Canadian sexual practices based on the first ever survey of what Canadian adults do in the bedroom and who they do it with. It’s called "Sex in Canada: The Who, Why, When, and How of Getting Down Up North". And Libby started the conversation by asking how we are different from Americans.

Ageism in Politics:

This week a special counsel cleared U.S. President Joe biden of criminal wrongdoing in his handling of classified documents, But Robert Hur, who is associated with Donald Trump and has no neurological expertise, characterized the 81-year-old Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”. By that point the President’s age was already a widely debated campaign issue. Is that partisan politics or ageism? Libby reached Larry Haas- a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, in Maryland.

The King's Cancer Diagnosis:

There’s been an outpouring of sympathy and support since King Charles III revealed that he’s been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. At the age of 75, he was finally putting his own stamp on the monarchy after ascending the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth. Libby talked about the implications with Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-chief and Publisher of Zoomer Magazine/everythingzoomer.com

Reforming our system of clinical trials for Cancer Patients

In recent years, there have been huge innovations in cancer treatment that target the disease with ever increasing precision. Clinical trials are often the best or the only treatment option for cancer patients. But surgical oncologist Dr. Rebecca Auer argues that they are outdated and need to be reimagined to help thousands of Canadians.

What a new report tells us about Cardiac Arrest

A new report from the Heart and Stroke Foundation finds that this potentially fatal event occurring outside a hospital is far more prevalent than we thought. Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos tells us simple training could save lives.

Are you exercising right after the age of 50? 

 

Are you still sticking to your New year’s exercise resolution? And are you working out the right way? Author and personal trainer Igor Klibanov specializes in training people over 50 and as the title of his bestseller says: Stop Exercising! The Way You Are doing it Now”

Michael Levy's brother is still being held by Hamas. He shares his story:

Like so many around the world, and specifically Israel, just mention October 7th and the nightmare of that day replays in their minds many times each day. Michael Levy's brother was taken hostage by the terrorist group while attending the Nova Music Festival and his sister-in-law was murdered. He shares his story.

How accurate are the five love languages?

It’s been 30-plus years since a series of books titled The Five Love Languages came out. Not to help someone fall in love but to keep a relationship fresh and growing amid conflicts, demands, and just plain boredom of everyday life.

Dr. Emily Impett, a University of Toronto Mississauga psychology professor and her team of researchers were curious cupids who decided to check out the concept.

January 21 2024-National Non-Smoking Week & Ontario Launches New LTC Investigations Unit

National Non-Smoking Week

Quick quiz: What’s the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada? If you said tobacco then you’re right. With 46-thousand dying from it each year and National Non-Smoking Week upon us, Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society looks at how far we’ve come and also how much more we’ve got to go.

Ontario Launches a New Long-Term Care Investigations Unit

The province now has a team of 10 investigators designated as Provincial Offences Officers who have the authority to add more accountability in long-term care with the aim to help address the most serious forms of non-compliance.

Will these 10 make a difference? Jane Meadus is a lawyer at the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly.

Blue Monday and research about Seasonal Affective Disorder

Blue Monday has officially been called the most depressing day of the year. It was dreamed up to help advertisers cash in on everything from travel to gym memberships. But the broader Seasonal Affective Disorder is when the post holiday lull, stretched finances, and poor weather with less daylight all converge. We reached Laura Cavanagh Professor of Behavioural Sciences at Seneca College and a registered psychotherapist.

CARP's Survey shows Zoomers are hungry for travel

Travel bug got you planning a big trip? You’re not alone. A just-released survey by the Zoomer Advocacy group CARP finds a whopping 86 percent of older Canadians plan to book an international flight within the year marking a return to the first ‘normal’ travel season in three years. Rudy Buttignol, President of the Zoomer Advocacy group CARP joined us in the studio to break it all down.