AGEWORKS – The Art of Ageing Forum, Niagara College – June 26 and 27, 2019
Physically weak. Past your sell-by date. Mentally slow. Technically challenged. Unfamiliar with social media. Totally focused on retirement.
These negative stereotypes are just some examples of ageism, a type of discrimination that involves prejudice against a particular age group -especially older individuals. Ageism has been a difficult problem in society for many years because it significantly affects many current and future older persons.
But these attitudes on ageing are beginning to change due to the fact that boomers – people between the ages of 55 and 75 – are now one of the largest, most influential and affluent demographic groups in Canada. And because of their sheer numbers, they are reshaping what it means to age. Because they are living longer and working longer, business professionals, academics and mindful consumers all need to learn how to better communicate with this age group to address its evolving needs.
To help them do so and to make a difference in reducing ageism attitudes and reshaping what it means to age, an innovative event – AGEWORKS: “The Art of Ageing Forum” – is being held on June 26 & 27 in the Niagara Region. This area is second only to Victoria for retirees, who are moving from the GTA but interested in continuing to live dynamic and interesting lives.
The Forum will showcase a diverse assembly of thought leaders, organizations and individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds who are all passionate about the subject of positive ageing. Their 12 intriguing and thought-provoking presentations will contain information and facts that will enlighten the audience about global trends, how ageing is changing and redefining business and society, to a better understanding and fresh approach to the “New Old” as notions about retirement begin to change. For further information about the presentations, please visit www.ageworks.co.
The idea to present “The Art of Ageing Forum” was initiated by AGEWORKS, a Canadian company that is committed to supporting the need to change the way society thinks about ageing through education and debunking myths about older people. They approached Niagara College to co-host the Forum because Niagara College is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and supports many age-friendly initiatives.
“The Art of Ageing Forum provides a unique opportunity for people to stimulate their minds and examine new ways to think about what it means to age,” says Marylou Hilliard, principal of AGEWORKS. “We invite people of all ages to come and share in these educational and motivational presentations. You can’t be an effective service provider or marketing communicator if you don’t fully understand the growing trends of the new older consumer”, she adds.
Location: Niagara College (Welland Campus) – 100 Niagara College Blvd, Welland ON L3C 7L3.
Space is limited. Only 300 tickets will be available each day. For ticket information, please visit www.ageworks.co.
For those coming from out-of-town, discounted rooms are available at the Niagara College – Campus Residence and Conference Centre for $84.95 per night. The booking code is on the website.
“We are proud to be a part of AGEWORKS’ exemplary forum, filled with sessions bound to challenge the status quo, leave you invigorated, intrigued and no doubt with a different view of ageing,” states Carolyn Triemstra, Dean of Niagara College’s Community and Health Studies division and host of The Art of Ageing Forum. “Niagara College is a strong advocate of lifelong learning, offering programs and services that support the needs of an ageing population and welcoming more older and second career adults to our campuses. In fact, earlier this year, NC was announced as Canada’s first college to become a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network, in recognition of the College’s commitment to ageing, and my division has naturally supported many age-friendly initiatives through much of our course work and community partnerships.”
AGEWORKS
AGEWORKS is a company committed to reducing the ageism stigma and debunking myths about older people in both the workplace and the marketplace. AGEWORKS not only raises awareness of issues associated with ageism but has introduced tangible initiatives to support companies who target older individuals, encourage and assist individuals who wish to reinvent themselves and celebrate the “art of ageing” through workshops, special events and forums.
-Submitted by Ageworks
