St. Thomas professor wants to focus on the pros of aging

A St. Thomas University forum is looking to change the way we discuss an aging population here in New Brunswick when headlines often reflect a declining birth rate and an increasing median age.

But gerontology professor, Bill Randall wants to change the way we talk about aging.

"There is this sense that aging is not a journey to be embraced but something to be feared, postponed, a problem to be solved," he said.

After reading a headline about the federal and provincial government having to 'combat New Brunswick's aging population, Randall decided there needed to be a focus on the positives of aging because it isn't a burden.

"Aging tends to be viewed in society in large part as a downer. A journey not to discovery but rather disease, illness, disability and death," said Randall.

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He said many of his students have stories of delight when talking about their grandparents and other older people in their lives. But when students of his would tell their friends they're taking gerontology, they'd often hear back, 'well that's depressing'.

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Terry Seguin talks to a STU gerontology professor about changing the conversation surrounding New Brunswick's seniors and elderly."In First Nations circles older adults have been revered, sometimes as elders, as keepers of the stories, of knowledge," said Randall.

His hope is the forum on Nov. 5 can discuss some of the positives of older members in society, discussing what they have to offer and not just about a burden on the health care system.