Zoomer Week In Review

Ontario residents were shocked rocked by Patrick Brown’s resignation as head of the Ontario PC party after receiving allegations of sexual misconduct. He’s just one of the politicians forced out for that reason. Libby talks to crisis communications expert Allan Bonner to get his take. Plus – It’s been recognized as an epidemic as real as diabetes or opioid addiction. Recently, British Prime Minister Teresa May appointed a Minister for Loneliness to tackle the scourge of social isolation. Libby talks to CARP’s VP advocacy Wanda Morris to get her perspective.

Three years ago, author John Leland started following the lives of 6 New Yorkers over 85. What emerged were stories focusing NOT on declining health, but rather on the things they can still do that are rewarding. He has put what he learned into his new book “Happiness Is a Choice You Make” and he joined Libby to talk about it. Plus – Are you ready for self driving cars? Or looking to buy the latest luxury vehicle on the market? With the Detroit Auto Show underway, Libby talks to car consultant Denis Desrosiers about the latest automotive trends for the Zoomer demographic.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. The number of divorces among baby boomers in long term marriages represented close to half of all divorces in Canada ten years ago. Bob talks to Toronto lawyer Rick Pettica, to learn more about the so-called “Grey Divorce” and why the number tends to rise in January. Plus – Like something from science fiction, inventors are creating robots to be partnered with seniors to help improve social and physical well being. US based science writer Gene Demaitre has just returned from the annual electronics show in Las Vegas and joins Bob to share what he’s seen.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Do you plan to downsize and sell your home this year? Bob talks to Royal LePage real estate specialist Rick Pecman to get some tips on the current housing and condo market. Plus – It’s Alzheimer’s awareness month. And a staggering half-million Canadians are currently living with dementia and that number is expected to soar with an aging population. Bob talks to Baycrest’s Head of Neurology, Dr. Morris Freedman to get an update about the disease, and to find about his recent research project.

It’s time again for New Years resolutions and 96 year old Hazel Mccallion, former Mayor of Mississauga, recommends thinking BIG when setting goals. Plus, we wrap up 2017 with our year end Zoomer Panel.

The holiday season is meant to be an uplifting time of year surrounded by family and friends. But it can be emotionally challenging and lonely for seniors, especially those with specialized and complex needs. Toronto home care agency Circle of Care, part of Sinai Health System provides support for people who are isolated. To find out how to make a difference, not just at Christmas but year round, Libby speaks with Carey Lucki, the CEO of the Circle of Care. Plus – What will you serve at your Christmas holiday feast? As consumers, we are apparently becoming increasingly mindful about our food choices. Libby talks to nutrition expert Shannon Crocker about our changing eating habits and emerging trends

The new documentary “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas” explores the ultimate yuletide irony – that many of most iconic Christmas songs were written by Jews. From White Christmas to Winter Wonderland to the Christmas Song – the film explores the reasons behind the phenomenon. Libby sat down with the man behind the documentary, veteran filmmaker Larry Weinstein. Plus – How long have you had to wait for medical treatment that you needed? The Fraser Institute is out with its annual report called “Waiting Your Turn” and it shows wait times going up! You can expect to wait more than 41 weeks for a hip replacement but if you need cancer treatment you will access it in just three weeks. Libby speaks with the report’s author, Bacchus Barua, in Vancouver.

The numbers confirm a trend we’ve been telling you about for awhile. Zoomers are working well past the traditional retirement age! Libby talks to Halifax resident, and CARP board member, Bill VanGorder about how he makes it all work. Plus – He’s not retiring, but the man who launched the first billion dollar fundraising campaign in Canadian healthcare is leaving his job – Libby talks Paul Alofs, the outgoing President and CEO of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

It could be the end of seniors’ discounts in the public sector. The City of Kingston is looking at eliminating discounts on services like bus rides and recreation programs, and London will definitely scrap its seniors price break on transit come the new year. Libby talks with Kenneth Wong, Professor of Marketing and Business Strategy at Queens University to get his take. Plus – The prestigious C.D. Howe Institute recently called on the government to revisit a policy it reversed after the last election: raising the age of eligibility for old age security to 67 from 65. CD Howe says it’s necessary because aging Boomers are breaking the bank. Intergenerational expert David Cravit disagrees and joins Libby to explain.

Authorities in the United States have lowered the guidelines for diagnosing hypertension. It means that another 30 million Americans will be considered to have high blood pressure, which already afflicts half of U.S. adults. Libby talks with Dr. Chi-Ming Chow, staff cardiologist at St. Michael’s hospital to find out what it means for Canadians. Plus – Orhan Pamuk, the Nobel-prize winning Turkish writer, collected objects to showcase the events in his novel “The Museum of Innocence” while he was writing the book. Two years later, he opened a physical museum of the same name, in a 19th century building in Istanbul. Libby talks with him to learn more about it.

This week marked both Remembrance Day and Holocaust Education Week. As we get further away from the two World Wars, the question of how to pass on this history becomes more urgent. Scott Masters, a teacher at Toronto’s Crestwood Preparatory College devised a unique solution. He is behind a widely acclaimed oral history project that pairs veterans with students who interview them and then edit, digitize and post the material. Arielle Meyer, the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor interviewed 94-year-old Charles Scot-Brown, a Captain with the 51st highland division who landed on the beach at Normandy on D-Day. Plus – With all hoopla around the legalization of recreational marijuana, it’s still not easy to get medical cannabis. Libby talks with Brent Zettl, CEO of Cannimed Therapeutics about the impact on patients.

It sounds like something out of a novel. Controversial writer and broadcaster Tarek Fatah is well known as a passionate secularist who takes on radical Islam. While visiting India, he started hosting a TV show. It became a huge hit, but that led to a plot to assassinate him, and Indian police have recently arrested a second suspect associated with this plot. Libby talks with Tarek about the whole strange saga. Plus – What can we learn from the happiest places on earth? Explorer and educator Dan Buettner shares some lessons from two years of research.

It’s become something of a tradition: newly minted federal party leaders coming to speak to the CARP AGM. After all, the older demographic votes in overwhelming numbers. At 38, Conservative Party of Canada leader, Andrew Scheer is the youngest of the three. He dropped by the studio to talk with Libby before addressing the group. Plus – How to get the government working for Zoomers! Libby talks to CARP’s VP Advocacy Wanda Morris about the organization’s priorities for the coming year.

One of the NHL’s top players of all time, Ken Dryden takes on a new challenge with the release his book “Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador” by advocating to make Canada’s favourite sport safer and reduce brain injuries. He joins Libby to talk about it. Plus – The explosive allegations against Harvey Weinstein sparked an online movement with tens of thousands of women coming forward with their stories of harassment. But does the #MeToo mark a watershed moment or a celebration of victimhood? Libby talks to British academic and author Dr Joanna Williams.

Gordon Lightfoot helped define the folk-pop sound of the ‘60s and ‘70s, but he’s not known for being an open book when it comes to talking about his personal life, until now. Libby speaks with Nicholas Jennings, the author of Lightfoot. The first biography of the legendary troubadour. Plus…. This year’s flu vaccine is now available, Libby talks to Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Medical Director at Public Health Ontario, about why it is especially critical for Zoomers.

Genetic testing has opened vast new possibilities for curing disease, but it has also raised ethical questions and started to be used as a kind of entertainment with mail-order tests. Libby continues her conversation with health professor Timothy Caulfield on his new tv series “A User’s Guide to Cheating Death.” You can watch it on Monday nights at 9pm on VisionTV. Plus – She’s enjoyed huge success and faced daunting challenges. That’s why at just 40 years of age, Canadian Opera Singer Measha Brueggergosman – a has penned a memoir, called “Something is Always on Fire.” She joins Libby to share some of her life stories.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. The Iconic founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner has passed away. Suffice it to say, Hugh Hefner changed the way society thought about sex, but, you may be surprised to learn how he influenced Zoomer Media founder, Moses Znaimer! Plus – As the Province of Ontario looks to resolve its hospital bed shortage, which some say have reached crisis levels, Bob talks with Natalie Mehra, the Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, to get her insight.

He’s famous for taking on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, to debunk faddish and sometimes dangerous health trends promoted by celebrity culture. Health law professor Timothy Caulfield is investigating everything from ancient therapies to the latest in plastic surgery in his new series airing on our sister station VisionTV. He dropped by our studios to talk to Libby about A User’s Guide to Cheating Death. Plus – He’s a true, Canadian hero – Libby catches up with the man in motion himself, Rick Hansen, as he hits the town for the Invictus Games, the commonwealth competition for wounded soldiers.

Dr. Vivien Brown, author of A Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging: 7 Proven Ways to Keep You Vibrant, Happy and Strong joins Libby to share her best tips for healthy aging. Plus – There’s both good and bad news about Zoomers’ financial health. Libby talks to Nora Spinks, CEO of the Vanier Institute of the Family, to get a snapshot of the latest census on money, work and wellbeing for the demographic.

When a debilitating condition prevented her from playing the complex pieces she is famous for, Canada’s First Lady of Guitar, Liona Boyd, opted to reinvent herself rather than give up music. Now she has a new memoir “No Remedy for Love.” Libby talks to her about how she turned adversity into a new opportunity. Plus – The economy is going gangbusters, but when it comes to personal finances…not so much. Nearly half of Canadians live paycheque to paycheque and many who no longer collect that paycheque are still in debt. Libby talks to Laurie Campbell, the CEO of Credit Canada Debt Solutions.