Shifting Holiday Traditions For many, the holidays arrive wrapped in nostalgia. Old music plays. Cherished ornaments come out of their boxes. Stories get retold, sometimes with more punch than the spiked eggnog. And still, for many people in later years, the...

  Study on Aging (CLSA) Its Purpose and Its Promise Have you ever received a phone call or been invited to answer questions about your health, memory, habits, or social life, and thought, “Is this really worth my time?” If you’re between the ages of about 50 and...

    International Day of OlderPersons – October 1 Mind:  Beyond Tokenism “The number of people over 60 has more than doubled in the past thirty years to 1.2 billion. By 2050, another 900 million older persons will be a part of our human family. This is a...

        A New Era in Intergenerational Learning – What Works?In a previous edition of Maturity Matters, we looked at some creative and impactful intergenerational programs that brought together different generations in new and innovative ways. We...

Clearing the Air On How We Celebrate World Senior Citizen’s DayAs I reflected on the possible topics for this month’s article, I thought about the annual and current health threats from the smoke of the hundreds of wildfires burning throughout our country right now. ...

When Summer Heats Up! My husband and I live on the West Coast in Canada.  By Canadian standards, we enjoy relatively temperate weather throughout the year – not significantly cold in the winter, and not unbearably hot in the summer…until the last few years.  While,...

Aging Without Apology Means Holding Space for the Whole StoryA few mornings ago, I caught my reflection and thought, "Good grief. When did that happen?" The emerging lines on my face, the unforgiving impact of gravity,  and the silver strands in my hair aren’t just...

Cultural Practices and Aging — From Traditions to TransitionsHave you ever wondered why people from different backgrounds approach life, family, community and aging in such distinct ways? Whether it’s how we celebrate, grieve, share meals, or care for our elders,...

How Tax Scammers Are Shifting GearsWhen a Knock at the Door Isn’t What It Seems You weren’t expecting anyone, but curiosity pulled you to the front entrance. Standing there was someone in uniform, flashing what looked like an official badge. Calmly—but with...

  Mind Your MusicYou’re going about your own business when a favourite old song suddenly begins to play.  You’re surprised at the lyrics you still remember, and warm memories come flooding in.  You smile, start moving to the music, and may even begin singing. We...