Blog
Scaling New Heights & Unlocking Ageless Potential
Helen notes, “A third of the population in Canada is almost 65 and older. In the United States, ten thousand people turn 65 daily. We need to change the way we think about ageing and begin to think of it as the positive force that it is”.
Social Entrepreneur Helen Hirsh Spence
Host Kelli Phillips interviews Helen Hirsh Spence about why she was motivated to become a social entrepreneur and why she created Top Sixty Over at the age of sixty-seven. Helen discusses internalized ageism, gendered ageism, and longevity literacy.
Ageism and Politics
Dr. Ranganath puts Biden’s forgetfulness in context by explaining that the average older person may experience “retrieval failure” but that doesn’t signal cognitive decline.
Cross Country Checkup Guest
Thanks to the buzz about Biden’s age, there have recently been numerous articles about the topic, and CBC decided to focus on it for Cross Country Checkup on February 18.
Valuing the expertise and ingenuity of older adults
Helen emphasizes the need for a longevity focus, encourages an entrepreneurial mindset, and cautions against internalized ageism which undermines the potential of older adults.
What are your plans for the rest of your life?
No matter our current ages, all of us would be wise to get a head start on imagining the next stage (or stages) of our lives. With longer lifespans and health spans, that could mean another thirty years or so following your anticipated “retirement”.
Why?
What do you immediately think of when you hear or see the words ‘emerging market(s)’? There is a good chance you may think of developing countries or developing economies. There is another way to look at emerging markets. How about the growing global cohort of older adults and the benefits of marketing to that group?
Takeaways, Facts, Population Pyramid
Ideas to explore for classroom teachers.
Gendered Ageism: The Unaddressed Discrimination Practice
Mira Brancu, Ph.D. explores age diversity and gendered ageism with Top Sixty’s Helen Hirsh Spence and the five ways organizations can improve their DEI initiatives to address ageism. Ageism affects all genders but is often excluded from diversity initiatives.
The Longevity Dividend: Embracing 100 Years Of Life
Digital Accessibility Expert, Flora Bazie, chats with Helen Hirsh Spence about the Longevity Dividend and Embracing 100 Years of Life. Says Helen, “We [now] have a longevity dividend of about 30 years. Our grandchildren, because of medical and technological advances, and a much better understanding of nutrition and lifestyle, have an expected average lifespan of 100. What are we going to do with those years?”
Let’s rebrand what it means to age, Canada
Canada’s population of adults over 65 already exceeds seven million. These are the eople who unselfishly volunteer to do work that otherwise would require payment, who mentor and coach, and who make significant philanthropic contributions of skills and money.
The All-important factor: Personal Connection
As we age, we need to create new traditions and new meanings for our changing lives in order to feel fulfilled and relevant. The get-togethers of friends can be as simple as meeting to play cards, or discussing books or politics, but such gatherings are essential to us, especially in later life.