UFV professor Shelley Canning became interested in the concept of ageism through years of experience as a clinician.
Canning initially was a cancer care nurse before moving on to nurse in the community. Most of her patients were older, but it took her a while to realize her experience and passion in working with them.
Now, Canning is a nursing professor at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and the director of the school’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging (CERA).
In November, she’ll share her research into ageism and health in Mission as a part of four workshops that CERA is running in collaboration with the Lifetime Learning Centre.
Canning says ageism is evident in the fearful way people talk about an aging society in phrases such as “a tsunami of older people” or “the greying of the country.”
“In seeing all the wonderful things that we can do, I’m also keenly aware of where we fall short and I really see ageism as a major hurdle for us as an aging society to try to deal with,” Canning said.
According to Canning, the lurking ageist approach in society and in healthcare needs to be addressed.
“Older people often have very negative experiences in healthcare and in society that are directly related to stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours,” Canning said.
Education and intergenerational relationships are two helpful ways to address ageism, Canning says.
“For the younger person in that intergenerational relationship, it’s key to dispelling some of that ageism that happens so early and is so hard to get rid of,” she said.
Lifetime Learning Centre executive director Diana Muntigl says Mission has been able to foster those relationships over the years through collaborations between Lifetime Learning and the Fraserview Learning Centre, where the organization is located.
“Whatever it has been, it’s been such a positive experience for everyone and our group always looks forward to being with students. And the students, over the years, have also felt the same way,” Muntigl said.
In addition to the ageism and health workshop, participants can catch three other CERA workshops at the Lifetime Learning Centre during the fall.
Michael Corman will hold a workshop on Oct. 4 to answer the question, “Do we need more doctors, nurses and paramedics?”. Andrea Hughes will offer a workshop on memory and the way it changes over time on Oct. 18 before Canning’s workshop on Nov. 1. Iris Lesser will wrap up the series of workshops by covering the benefits of outdoor activity on Nov. 15.
The Lifetime Learning Centre has collaborated with UFV on past initiatives, however, this fall marks the first time CERA is pooling its resources to provide a series of presentations throughout the Fraser Valley.
“We would like people to really take advantage of this — especially with the university participation,” Muntigl said. “We’ve done very many of [these types of programs] and there’s definitely a need in the community for them.”
This semester is the last for Mission’s Lifetime Learning Centre after the organization voted to dissolve back in June. Muntigl says the focus is on the remaining programs that will run through December.
UFV’s Mission campus is being revitalized with the education program expected to come to the location by next fall.
“I am hoping with the revitalization, from CERA’s perspective, that we find an opportunity to bring lifelong learning into Mission again in some way, that we’re able to use the energy I think is being generated and try to think more broadly about education and learning and how can we best meet the needs of the older adults that live in Mission as well,” Canning said.
Those interested in signing up for CERA workshops in Mission can register online at lifetimelearningcentre.org or by phone at 604-820-0220.