Zoomer Week In Review

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history 50 years ago, July 20, 1969, during a decade that was as much about the space race as it was music and changing social norms. Former Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk shares his recollections about the Apollo 11 landing and predicts where men and women will go next, and when! AND About 50-million people worldwide are living with dementia and Alzheimer’s is the most common form, a big conference in L-A has just concluded. Experts and scientists shared the latest findings on research in the field. The medical director of the Toronto Memory Program Dr. Sharon Cohen, joined us to share these findings with you.

So you’re finally taking that big trip on the bucket list only to find that you’re sharing your experience of ancient sites and breathtaking landscapes with hordes of other tourists. You may also be hurting the locals by using up their resources and pricing them out of the market. That was partly Libby's experience on a recent trip to Greece. It’s a fairly new phenomenon called "overtourism" and Libby checked in with Megan Epler Wood, Director of Harvard’s International Sustainable Tourism Initiative. And A new VisionTV series follows Zoomers and their children on their adventures of a lifetime, it’s called 50 Ways to Kill Your Mom. The concept is simple: celebrities take their parents on challenging, thrill-seeking inter-generational adventures and document it all in a reality TV series. Libby talked with Jon about his road trip with his mother.

The internet CAN be the wrong place to look for love is you get caught in a romance scam, now among the biggest threats online for seniors looking for human connection. It ranks up there with the more reported on scams like the CRA Scam, where an agent posing as an employee of with Canada Revenue Agency demands money for unpaid taxes. Durham Regional Police Sgt. Deb Anderton is an expert in these matters. Christine Ross reached her by phone. AND It's a memoir of mental illness from a unique perspective. For 10 years author Susan Doherty volunteered with severely schizophrenic and psychotic patients at Montreal's Douglas institute. Libby Znaimer talked with her about "The Ghost Garden."

Companies don’t give ageism the same attention as other forms of bias according to Forbes Insight survey. And the numbers suggest that age discimination is alive and well in the U-S with 2 out of 3 employees over 45 have witnessed age discrimination. Author and executive coach Bonnie Marcus is currently writing a book about women over 50 in the workplace. Christine Ross reached her by phone. And Zoomers are the happiest according to a new national poll. The Happiness Index by market research firm Leger, asked Canadians across the country to rate their level of happiness on a scale of one to 10 and note which factors they believe influence their happiness the most. Those over 55 who earn a higher income are happiest but also indicates that money is not a factor to their happy state. Christine Ross reached Leger Executive Vice President Dave Scholz.

This week the federal government unveiled its long-awaited dementia strategy which focuses on prevention and help for caregivers. But it will take more research to conquer the disease and that's why Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging received 46-million dollars to investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dementia. Dr. Howard Chertkow is leading more than 300 researchers in this effort. He dropped by our Liberty Village studios to tell Libby Znaimer about it. And The alternative meat market is booming, with plant-based fake meats taking over grocery stores and fast food restaurants. Part of the appeal is that eating less red meat can reduce health risks such heart disease. But nutritionists say ordering a meatless burger at a fast food chain might not be that much better for you. The nutritional profiles are strikingly similar, both pack the same amount of sodium, calories and fat content. And in all cases the meatless version were more expensive in most fast food menus.

Marie Henein is one of the most renowned lawyers in the country. Recently she took on the government, successfully defending former Vice-Admiral Mark Norman on breach of trust charges. But it was her defense of former CBC host Jian Ghomeshi that put her in the national spotlight. After that activists tried to stop her from speaking on campus… accusing her of promoting rape culture... which why she is the perfect person to speak on Democracy and Freedom of Speech at ideaCity. Libby and Marie chatted ahead her appearance there. And The job only pays $10,000 a year, but it is a huge honour. In his first 3 months as Toronto's Poet Laureate, Albert Moritz has written verse to mark everything from a high school graduation to the anniversary of the Yonge Street van Attack. He may be new as the laureate but he's written more than 15 books of poetry. He joins Libby in studio to discuss.

The report of the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women was released earlier this week and the most startling conclusion was that the violence against these women amounts to a genocide. The prime minister was heckled when, at first, he refrained from using that word. Within 24 hours, he said he accepted the finding. Many others do not, and the use of this term has caused more debate than the actual recommendations. Libby Znaimer reached renowned Human Rights Lawyer and former Justice Minister Irwin Cotler in Montreal to discuss. And It's been called a tsunami and a rising tide. That's the prediction for the burden of Alzheimer's Disease as the baby boom generation ages. Dr. Carmela Abraham has been researching Alzheimer's for nearly 40 years. While the focus of much of the work has been on the amyloid plaques believed to cause the disease, Dr. Abraham is taking a different approach - one that may someday prevent Alzheimer's. Libby spoke with her ahead of her talk at ideaCity.

It’s a philosophical question as much as a practical one: Can money buy health? It’s the subject longevity and wellness guru, Dr. Mark Liponis, will tackle at IdeaCity later this month. And his experience makes his perspective truly unique. AND More and more patients are choosing medical assistance in dying as a means to end their suffering and to have what can be considered a good death. But the family home is often not the right place and neither is the hospital. Assisted Dying Resources Centres is a new charity stepping in to fill the void. Libby talked to CEO Tom Foreman.

More than half of Canadian households maintain a garden and we spend about 4 billion dollars doing it. But this season's weather is throwing a curve. With heavy rains and floods and cold that won't quit, Libby reached out to Gardening guru Mark Cullen for some advice. And It's something every level of government has promised to do and almost everyone would agree with: making our environment accessible for people with disabilities. But even if goodwill is there, the execution has been slow. That's why Man in Motion Rick Hansen is launching a new campaign to raise awareness. Libby chatted with him when he was in town.

May is Vision Health Month. Have you had your eyes checked lately? There's a lot to look out for beyond seeing if you need stronger readers... as Libby found out for herself... Dr. Ritesh Patel of the Ontario Association of Optometrists dropped by to talk about it And Has the legalization of marijuana made you canna-curious? Zoomer Media has teamed up with entrepreneur Derek Riedle of "Civilized" to answer all our questions.

We talk to the inimitable Dr. Ruth Westheimer about the documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" about the tiny Jewish grandmother who became an unlikely pop culture icon. It's not just about sex. For, Westheimer this was the right time to open up about her past as an orphan of the Holocaust. AND Many of you are probably enjoying or about to enjoy a special Mother's day brunch. And chances are, the way you raised your kids is different from the way they in turn are raising theirs. From helicopter mothers, to snowplows and lawnmowers, the landscape is changing. Erica Diamond is an entrepreneur and parenting expert.

For 34 years the iconic comic strip ran in nearly 1400 newspapers becoming a humourous touchstone for women in a changing times. The real Cathy Guisewhite stopped by the studio to talk about her new book “Fifty Things that aren’t My Fault.” AND Paul Ehrlich’s 1968 book “The Population Bomb” gained wide acceptance with the dire prediction that millions would starve as we competed for scarce resources. Two new works explode that idea. Empty Planet by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson argues that the coming Global Population Decline is a bigger threat. Population Bombed! Exploding the Link Between Overpopulation and Climate Change takes aim at the idea that a growing population can only result in unsustainable increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Their argument is that ingenuity and economic development will provide the answers. The Global Warming Policy Foundation published the book. Libby talked to its Director Benny Peiser when he was in town.

"If You Can Read my Mind" is a song you, and many Zoomers, listened to growing up, and can still be found here on AM 740, but it's also the title of a new documentary about the life, career, influence of the Orillia-born superstar. On the line to talk about it with fill in host Bob Komsic are writers and directors Joan Tosoni and Martha Kehoe. And - What's the first thing you do when you forget something? Do you ask 'What was I looking for?' or 'What did I come here for?' Does it worry you? Or do you brush it off with a smile and call it a senior moment? A new American study has demonstrated that the secret to restoring memory loss, at least temporarily, could be through a series of brief, painless electric pulses to your brain. The study's author, Aneesha Nilakantan of Northwestern University's Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimers Centre, joined Bob Komsic on the line.

More and more older Canadians are interested in medical cannabis because of its potential to ease pain and improve cognitive function. CARP - a new vision of aging - is partnering with Spectrum Cannabis ... a wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation. They will offer tailored educational initiatives for the more than 320-thousand CARP members ...who will received a 20% discount on strains that carry the ''CARP Recommended'' seal. Libby talked with Hilary Black, Chief Advocacy Officer at Spectrum Cannabis And - He’s led orchestras around the world and been a vital part of our sister station The New Classical FM for decades. Now Kerry Stratton is learning to conduct his life with ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Libby visited him and his wife Elizabeth ahead of a special concert in his honour.

She’s a beloved politician, a trailblazing woman and now a cover model at the age of 98... She’s on the cover of the May issue of Zoomer Magazine and has the distinction of being the oldest cover subject ever. Libby talked with the indomitable Hazel McCallion. And - Comedians Steve Martin and hometown guy Martin Short have no intention of retiring although their show alludes to it in the title: “Now you see them soon you won’t.” Libby chatted ahead of their show at the Sony Centre.

In a first in North America, every resident of Nova Scotia could soon become an automatic organ donor. The province is proposing legislation, to adopt ‘presumed consent’ around organ donation, which means everyone is deemed a donor unless they opt out. Families will continue to be consulted about their loved ones' wishes and those under 19 and people without decision-making capacity would be exempt. It’s a system that has worked well in places like Spain and the Netherlands. Libby talked with Dr. Stephen Beed, medical director of Nova Scotia's Legacy of Life and critical care organ donation program. And - 90 percent of women will have to manage their own finances at some point, because they become widowed, divorced, or have never married. “Bank on Yourself” is a primer on how to prepare. Authors Ardelle Harrison and Leslie McCormick dropped by our studios.

Imagine if new information doctors learn from treating a cancer patient here could be immediately available to help tailor a treatment for someone in St. John or iqualouit? That’s the idea behind $150 million item in Last week’s pre-election budget. The money will create a Marathon of Hope Cancer network in the name of Terry Fox so cancer centres, from coast to coast, can share data to personalize therapies using the newest “Precision Medicine”. Libby talked with Dr. Victor Ling President and Scientific Director of TFRI about what it will mean for patients. And - Buffy Sainte Marie is an iconic Canadian singer author and activist famous for her peace anthem “Universal Soldier.” The song was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of fame in 2005. Now the writer is about to receive the same honour. Libby chatted with Buffy Sainte Marie after she got the news.

For years, daily low-dose aspirin was being prescribed as a magic bullet to prevent heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular disease. Older Canadians were advised to undertake this regimen whether they had heart problems or not. Now there is evidence that the risks outweigh the benefits. The American Heart Association released the new guidelines and Libby reached Dr. Marc Ruel at the Ottawa Heart Institute to discuss. And - call it a manual with everything you need to know to push back against ageism. Author Ashton Applewhite says she wanted to erase many of the myths about later life. Libby reached her in NYC.

An unprecedented one-in-six Canadian adults is living alone - Whether by choice or circumstance. Statistics Canada found more than a quarter of Zoomers over 65 are solo dwellers - a number that’s actually declining in part because men are living longer. Nora Spinks CEO of the Vanier Institute of the Family unpacks the trend. And - Can you spot a real from a fake? Apparently, many of us can NOT! A recent survey conducted by Interac found 96 per cent were unable to identify a scam. And the Competition Bureau of Canada says Canadians lost 97 million dollars to fraud last year. That’s why officials are bringing us up to speed on the new and ongoing scams during this Fraud Awareness Month. Libby chatted with Sgt. Guy Paul Larocque of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

First he became the world’s leading advocate of the slow movement. Now best selling author Carl Honore’s new book Bolder is a call to action for us all to redefine aging, which is our philosophy here at Zoomer Media. He joines Libby to talk about it. And – Although Zoomers have the potential to age better than ever before, older parents are also feeling the financial squeeze. A new study by RBC finds a staggering number are still financially supporting children into their mid 30’s. Libby speaks to RBC VP of Retirement Strategies Rick Lowes to find out more.