Latter years - decisions

Legal Aid NSW and the Benevolent Society have published a guide for seniors on planning their future. It's called Speaking for myself. It includes information about powers of attorney, enduring guardianship issues and making wills, among other issues.

Why we should embrace our age

A wonderful post by Loretta Laroche. This article first appeared in Huffington Post. Loretta is full of joy and practical wisdom, including practical tips on aging well by:

• making each day feel like a new beginning
• reinventing yourself on some level so that you don’t become your own “Groundhog Day”
• spend time in community with others
• become more involved in the pursuit of altruism
• find the bless in the mess
• laugh as often as possible
• keep a positive outlook: “if you think the worst and get the worst, you suffer twice; if you think the best and get the worst, you only suffer once.”

Loretta has a PBS special about "juicy living, juicy aging" -

How will local government cope with ageing communities?

The purpose of the Local Government and Ageing Project was "to identify the magnitude of costs for Local Government of an ageing population, including the size of any financial impact, the range of council services affected, and potential impacts on council's revenue raising capacity as a result of population ageing.  The study also documented the growing social and economic contribution older people are making to their local communities. "

A tool kit is available.

Older Australians vulnerable to fraud

A recent survey by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has indicated that older people are more vulnerable to fraud than the general population. See the full report on the AIC website.

Global Age-friendly Cities

The World Health Organisation has an active ageing framework. "Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age." This mission would apply equally well to the services for 50+ years in a public library. Building on this framework, WHO published a Global age friendly cities guide in 2007 which includes some goals that could also articulate quite effectively the goals of libraries in serving older people:

"In an age-friendly city, policies, services, settings and structures support and enable people to age actively by:

• recognizing the wide range of capacities and resources among older people;
• anticipating and responding flexibly to ageing-related needs and preferences;
• respecting their decisions and lifestyle choices;
• protecting those who are most vulnerable; and
• promoting their inclusion in and contribution to all areas of community life."

References:

• Active ageing: a policy framework. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2002 (http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_nmh_nph_02.8.pdf)
• Global age-friendly cities : a guide. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2007 (http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Global_age_friendly_cities_Guide_English.pdf)

Interacting with library collections

One really interesting development comes from the DOKLAB (DOK public library in Delft, Netherlands).

DOKLAB Project P from DOKLAB on Vimeo.

How many ways could this type of technology be used to allow older library clients to:

• contribute their own photos or memories to the library collections
• curate their own stories using material already in the library collection
• add information to what is already known about photos and images
• explore technology without needing to master a mouse or keyboard
  

I think it would be very interesting to collect the migration stories from a local community in this way, after all 25% of Australians were born overseas ... that's a lot of stories to tell.

Growing older?

Day 13/30 #blogeverydayinjune #blogjune

The more astute reader will realise Day 12 is missing ... (oops) ... but here we are again, considering the startling fact that in Australia over the next decade 25% of teachers will retire. There are similarly large figures of library workers projected to retire. This raises a number of issues for public libraries:

• local studies expertise - is it possible to be mentored by / shadow an experienced local studies librarian and assimilate years of knowledge and experience?
• children's librarians - this highly creative area demands a range of performance skills, boundless energy and enthusiasm and is sometimes subject to burnout ... will we have enough experts to keep offering the highly valued baby bounce and rhyme times, storytimes and other programs in future?
• a lot of library work is quite physical ... how will an ageing workforce handle shelving and other tasks?
• can an ageing library workforce keep pace with the rapid development of technology?

I think library workers are creative, flexible and accept that theirs is a lifelong learning profession ... I just hope we have the numbers to keep it all going.

The challenge of blogging daily

When I decided to participate in the #blogeverydayinjune (#blogjune) internet meme this year, I never imagined how hard it would be to find daily inspiration for a topic and the discipline to sit down and write about it. I've opted for a scattered array of ideas around ageing communities and public libraries, a narrow topic but a vital one as our population in Australia ages.

Young for life

Day 11/30 #blogjune

There is a great initiative in Singapore, an annual Active Ageing Festival coordinated by the Council for Third Age (C3A). It is their goal to "introduce seniors to a variety of activities and experiences that will lead them on the journey to an active lifestyle."

Are there opportunities for public libraries to initiate their own local active ageing festivals? There are many health care providers, physical activity opportunities, clubs and organisations seeking to engage with seniors and a combined annual event could create quite a bit of momentum in a community.

There is a great example of a library based festival: The Hills Shire Library Service in Sydney's west won an award in 2010 for its "Festival of Active Living" at the Castle Hill Library. "The three-day Festival included hobbies, health and wellbeing and lifestyle options and talks by gardening guru Sandra Ross, meditation expert Kevin Hume, media personality Ita Buttrose and author Mary Moody... Objectives of the festival were: to change perceptions about libraries and increase awareness and usage; open opportunities for seniors to remain active and enhance their quality of life; to help build a vibrant, healthy and active community; and to provide avenues for seniors to connect and be part of their community.”

Grey nomads and flying pigs?

Day 10/30 #blogjune

A colleague sent me a link to this intriguing blog, Pigs will fly. It is an Australia-wide network that focusses on "small business, tourism and community information that we hope helps concerned Australians balance the ‘sustainability quadruple bottom line’ of socio-cultural, economic, environmental and governance elements that we deal with on a daily basis."

Of particular interest to me is their focus on the 'grey nomads', retirees with an interest in travel in the Australian outback. They connect grey nomads with skills and property owners in outback Australia in need of an experienced electrician, plumber, painter, builder/carpenter.

Picture credit: Doing the grey nomad thing in style by JohnBanbury

How are public libraries meeting the needs of grey nomads?

• is wifi free or low cost?
• do you have to be a local resident to use the public access internet and pcs?
• can they borrow from your library?
• is a temporary membership available?
  
• is the library advertising at the local tourist information office?
• does the library have local tourism information available?
  

Healthy ageing - stay physically active

Day 9/30 #blogjune

As the excellent folk at Better Health Channel have said, "Physical activity (exercise) can help older people maintain independence, recover from illness and reduce their risk of disease. Muscle mass and bone strength can be improved with regular exercise. Walking, swimming, dancing and cycling are all good forms of exercise which can also be sociable"

So where do libraries fit into this picture?

• DVDs (tai chi, yoga, zumba, stretching, dancing, seated exercises, pilates.... )
• classes - why not have a tai chi class in the library or offer a 'try before you buy' seniors session for a variety of activities
• festivals of healthy ageing featuring health providers
  
• community directories listing physical activity options for over 50's

Recycled careers?

Day 8/30 #blogjune

One of the challenges facing any professional is remaining relevant and 'at the top of their game'. In the library profession, one that is dominated by technology, there is an ongoing need to maintain and develop skills.

This article: How to Remain Relevant When You’re Over 40 includes some tips that have particular application for knowledge workers:

1. Community building.
2. Information processing.
3. Bridge building.
4. Manage your personal brand.
5. Commit to life-long learning.

Good advice for librarians ... but perhaps also good advice for libraries?

Grandma's Superhero therapy

Day 6/30 #blogjune

"A few years ago, French photographer Sacha Goldberger found his 91-year-old Hungarian grandmother Frederika feeling lonely and depressed. To cheer her up, he suggested that they shoot a series of outrageous photographs in unusual costumes, poses, and locations. Grandma reluctantly agreed, but once they got rolling, she couldn't stop smiling." Source: Grandma's Superhero Therapy

I would love to see a library use photos like this in their marketing to older people!

Reflect: libraries and ageing well

Day 5/30 #blogjune

There are many opportunities for public libraries to support the many interests and life stages we experience as we age, here are just a few examples:

Collections:

• This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity / Susan Moon
• Rules for Aging: A Wry and Witty Guide to Life / Roger Rosenblatt
• Healing Walks for Hard Times: Quiet Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Get Your Life Back / Carolyn Scott Kortge
• Your life matters / Petrea King
• Gifts From the Heart : Meditations on Caring for Aging Parents / Bonni Goldberg and Geo Kendall
  
• Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life / Marc Freedman

Programs:

• Creative writing and memoir writing workshops
• Philosophers club
• Author talks
• toolkit for Friends groups on attracting and keeping baby boomer volunteers
  

Bridging the generation gap in the workplace

Day 4/30 #blogjune

The idea of "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" has been largely debunked. Research shows that while age is not a determining factor in digital lives, the key factors are familiarity and experience using technology. Yet there are some different ways of approaching work and this video highlights how often technology can be a point of difference. This can be a particular challenge in the libray workforce, as early adopters of technology in a heavily tech based industry with an ageing workforce.

Books on prescription

Day 3/30 #blogjune

There is an exciting new project in development in the Central and Western areas of NSW where a Library Development Grant of $71,000 will be used to establish an innovative program called Books on Prescription to help local people with common mental health disorders.

"Books on Prescription schemes are a form of Bibliotherapy, which, when high-quality books are used, can bring many of the benefits of conventional medication without the potential side-effects associated with drugs, and often achieves good results more quickly." Source

It's fairly rare for public libraries in NSW to have close working relationships with GPs and mental health workers in their communities so this project will look to examples in the UK where Books on Prescription programs have proved very successful for inspiration.

A Place for Us? Baby boomers, their elders, and the public library

Day 2/30 #blogjune

This looks like a very interesting research proposal from Canada, to take a closer look at the role public libraries play in the lives of older people who are also carers for a family member.

"The key research questions this study will attempt to answer are:

• What role does the public library play as a place in the lives of baby boomers who provide care and/or companionship to elders?

• What are the characteristics, needs, and behaviours of this growing segment of the population served by public libraries?

The exploratory nature of the research questions suggests that a qualitative methodological approach to research design is appropriate."

Read more:
Wendy Robbins, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
A Place for Us? Baby boomers, their elders, and the public library: a proposal for the Research round table

Blog every day in June! 1/30

Day 1/30 #blogjune

I've decided to join library colleagues everywhere around Australia who have taken up the challenge to blog every day in june #blogjune .... so here we are on day one.

I'm interested in five themes for healthy ageing - neatly summarised from Dan Buettner's TEDx talk by Garr Reynolds as

I think these five themes may offer a framework for public libraries in planning collections and services for older people and supporting healthy and fulfilling ageing in their communities.

Are we the champions?

One of the challenges facing many people as they age is hearing loss. This week the news broke that Roger Taylor, drummer for the legendary band Queen has severe hearing loss. "Taylor revealed that he has joined the ranks of Who guitarist Pete Townshend and former Genesis drummer Phil Collins as the latest casualty of mega-volume stadium concerts."

It's food for thought ... after all, how well do public libraries meet the needs of clients experiencing degrees of hearing loss?

• Are hearing aid loops available in meeting spaces and at customer service points?
• Are quiet study rooms available away from the noise of the busy library floor? (yes, that's right public libraries can be noisy places)
• Does the collection include information about hearing loss and local support groups and services?

And here is a clip of Queen performing "We will rock you".

Challenging the ageing stereotype - with dance!

Sarah Paddy Jones is not only a Guiness book of records holder, she's also a grandmother and didn't take up salsa dancing 'til she was older. She was discovered on a Spanish TV show called "Tu Si Que Vales" ...