Supportive Conversations with Margaret MacPherson

Welcome to Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario’s podcast, Aging Vibrantly, Conversations to Empower Seniors. Where we amplify the voices of seniors who impart their expertise and wisdom, to enhance our understanding of aging issues and ways of living a safe and fulfilling life with respect and dignity. I am Raeann Rideout host, and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario.

Co-host April Struthers, organizational consultant, social change agent, author in the field of adult abuse prevention at Wit Works.

Margaret has been involved with and led anti-violence initiatives and social change projects for over thirty years. Margaret works closely with the Centre for Research to End Violence Against Women and Children on a number of initiatives including the adaptation of Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF) as a national campaign on abuse of older adults called It’s Not Right!, Neighbours, Friends and Families for Older Adults.

Main Topics in Episode 4:

Talk about It’s Not Right (INR) campaign and framework.

INR is about relationships and the people closest see warning signs but are not sure what to do, most often involves family

INR teaches how to: Recognize; Respond & Refer

INR educates the public and at organizational level. What is the training and who is it for?

Our goal – no small feat – is to train everyone!

There are resources and tools for communities, organizations and individuals

There are print materials, online videos and presentations

We promote and distribute our tools through the provincial and territorial Elder Abuse Networks

In 2009 there was a focus on what could be done, warning signs in a potential abusive situation prior to police being called. There can be many forms of abuse happening behind closed doors. Recognize – what are the signs?

Your gut instinct may say something is not right or you are concerned

We recognize signs in existing relationship

There are many types of abuse: financial; physical; social isolation. How do we respond to the warning signs? How do we start a conversation?

Ground yourself first and remember that you cannot rescue or solve the problem

Do not take control and start telling a person what to do

Think about the goal of the conversation:

Opening the door to offer support

Remember they feel shame and don’t want to be judged

Soft approach expressing your concern

Check – Am I supportive? While not avoiding or being intrusive, exploration.

It’s a negotiation, figure out when to lean in and lean back

Prepare yourself, this is not a resolution, it’s a conversation, be curious

The conversation framework is called SYNC IT

See it – step towards the person

Name it – name the concern and warning signs, step in

Check it – Are you ok? Are you safe? step back

If you enjoyed the show like, share it and leave a review! Please join us ????, 2025 for Part 2.

Resources:

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario Network

EAPON

April Struthers, Co-Host

https://witworks.ca/

Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite: Part 2

Raeann Rideout, host, and co-host April Struthers, continue their stimulating conversation with guest Ashton Applewhite on Ageism. Ashton shares her powerful insights on how we internalize aging and inspires listeners to embrace aging and call out stereotypes and age-based assumptions. We learn how ageism and disrespect are key drivers of the mistreatment of older adults and through shifting ageist attitudes and behaviours, we can help to create communities where older people feel safe, valued and respected, and elder abuse is prevented before it occurs. We all have a role to play in consciousness-raising to create a more age-just society. Ashton leaves listeners with practical tips for encouraging more intergenerational conversations on aging and tips for empowering older adults to stand up for their rights and others to stop ageism.

Our Call to Action is for listeners to check out the Old School Hub to learn more about ageism.

We are all growing older, so let's change your future now. We can all be part of the movement to end ageism.

To listen to the first part of this episode click here.

Keep up with Ashton Applewhite @thischairrocks on Instagram
X: @thischairrocks

Facebook: @ThisChairRocks

Instagram: @thischairrocks

YouTube: /ashtonapplewhitevideos

LinkedIn: /ashton-applewhite-64658

RSS: https://thischairrocks.com/feed/

Website: https://thischairrocks.com/

Episode Resources:

Find out more about the The Old School Hub

This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism

TED Talk Ashton Applewhite

This Chair Rocks tackling Ageism Through Consciousness Raising

Read the Report: The Decade of Healthy Aging

New Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA) Report : Shaping the Future: A National Forum’s Call to Action to Eliminating Ageism in Care and Support

Stay Connected:

Explore more about Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario on our website,
Learn more on ageism, access resources on abuse prevention and protecting the rights and dignity of older adults or book a speaking engagement/ training session.

Watch this episode on YouTube: (link)

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @EAPreventionON

Don’t forget to subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Title: Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite : Part 1

Episode 1 & 2 topic: Ageism

Welcome to Aging Vibrantly, Conversations to Empower Seniors, an Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario podcast, where we amplify the voices of seniors who impart their expertise and wisdom, to enhance our understanding of aging issues and ways of living a safe and fulfilling life with respect and dignity.

In this episode, Raeann Rideout, host, is joined with her co-host April Struthers to interview guest Ashton Applewhite for a lively discussion on Ageism. We discuss the prevalence of ageism, its impacts, the need for more intergenerational dialogue and her advocacy work in creating a social movement to dismantle ageism and embrace a world of all ages, including Ageism Awareness campaigns that are growing the conversation and resulting in positive social change.

Ashton is an internationally recognized expert on ageism, the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and co-founder of the Old School Hub. She welcomes people of all ages to learn about ageism and how to break down the barriers.

Main Points in Episode 1:

World Health Organization (WHO)

Global studies indicate, one in two people are ageist.

We all are biased, stereotypes begin at an early age

WHO found health and lifespan can be expanded by understanding ageism

Awareness of ageism has increased; WHO report

A world for all ages, any age judgment is ageist: ‘too young or too old’

Defining Ageism

Give age too much power to shape our impressions

No prejudice is rational - No ‘ism’ should not be tolerated

Ageism is in language we use everyday, need to avoid young and old language

Of all “isms”, ageism is the least explored or studied

Discriminating against our future older selves

Heterogeneity in society - age at different rates, are shaped by our unique differences which makes us more unique as we age

Challenge now is to change how we Think, Feel and Act about aging

Ageism

Most tolerated ‘ism’’

Trying to be inclusive without being ageist

Once you see ageism in yourself, you see ageism in other places

Ageism is embedded in our social economic structure

Social change is slow and hard

Progress is being made in changing attitudes and behaviours

October 19th is now recognized as Ageism Awareness Day, a National Anti-Ageism Campaign

If you enjoyed the show like, share it and leave us a review!

Please join us for Part 2.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @thischairrocks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThisChairRocks

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thischairrocks

YouTube: / ashtonapplewhitevideos

LinkedIn: / ashton-applewhite-64658

RSS: https://thischairrocks.com/feed/

Host,

Raeann Rideout host and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario.

www.eapon.ca

Co-host,

April Struthers, an organizational consultant and author in the field of adult abuse prevention at Wit Works.

https://witworks.ca/