CABHI panellists Bianca, Adele and Helen offer insights, personal experiences, and research studies to help audience members grasp the concept of ageism, from defining ageism to explaining its many forms, the associated dangers, and how we can overcome it.

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”.

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.

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.

Helen emphasizes the need for a longevity focus, encourages an entrepreneurial mindset, and cautions against internalized ageism which undermines the potential of older adults.

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”.

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.

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?”

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.

Stu McNish chats with Helen Hirsh Spence about her ‘job’ at Top Sixty Over Sixty. Learn more about Helen and her “Third Act“ journey as an entrepreneur and how Top Sixty Over Sixty came to be.