Building Bridges: Intergenerational Classrooms
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
Release Date: 08/20/2025
A Friendly Voice: Just a phone call away
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We all have a need for social connections, to talk to someone about our day, events in our lives, share stories or whatever is on our mind. Social connections, how we relate to and interact with others, are important to reduce social isolation and loneliness for all ages, but particularly for older adults as we age. In this Episode of Aging Vibrantly, we will talk with France Connor, Manager of 'A Friendly Voice', that provides a free call-in service for adults over 55 years old who live in Ontario or Atlantic Canada. When an older adult calls the toll free number at 1-855-892-9992 they...
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Building Bridges: Intergenerational Classrooms
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We live in a society that is increasingly separating individuals into age-based groups, which can lead to limited interaction and the potential for negative stereotypes and discrimination, particularly towards older adults. So how can we best address this to build connections and relationships between age groups and generations. In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host April Struthers, feature the University of Toronto’s Intergenerational Classroom, with guests Dr. Raza Mirza, professor and creator of the program, alongside with Florene Shuber a senior...
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Kindness is Contagious : Standing up Against Senior Bullying
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with Dr. Kirsten Madsen and Liza Franses about standing up against senior bullying and the development of We begin our interview with a brief background on the aim of the project, and evolution of the Toolkit, including the need and importance for the Toolkit, including the collection of data on the prevalence and nature of Senior to Senior bullying in Ontario, Canada that demonstrated seniors have experienced being bullied, engaged in bullying behaviours as well as witnessed bullying behaviours between...
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Preparing for Caregiving
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
Are you providing or receiving care? In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, we speak with Amy Coupal, CEO of Ontario Caregivers Organization (OCO). Podcast host, Raeann Rideout and co-host Tom Warner, learned about the amazing work the OCO conducts to support Ontario’s four million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. Our discussion led to understanding the current and future concerns and complexities, prospective caregivers are facing in Ontario and what may be needed support them, based on OCO’s recent Preparing...
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Transforming Care with a National Caregiver Strategy for Canada
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We are excited to launch Season 2 of Aging Vibrantly with an inspiring leader who is committed to ‘making Canada the best place in the world to give and receive care! In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with James Janeiro, Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence (CCCE). According to the CCCE, “Canada is facing a caregiving crisis that will only get worse without real action. A perfect storm is brewing, demand for care is growing, caregivers are aging, the number of available caregivers...
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Re-Release: Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite: Part 2
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In Episode 2 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of . In part 2 of our interview, Ashton dives into how we internalize aging and explore the connection between ageism and elder abuse, tips for encouraging intergenerational conversations on aging and her advocacy work as co-founder the , and success stories of Ageism Campaigns, including Ageism Awareness Day, that are...
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Re-Release: Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite : Part 1
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of , and co-founder of the Hub. In Part 1 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, Ashton imparts her insights on defining ageism, its prevalence, impacts and where it shows up in our lives from health, policy, and intergenerational dialogue. We learn to check our assumptions and do our own self reflection of internal ageism. Ashton informs us of the...
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Putting a Stop to Frauds and Scams Targeting Seniors
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this final episode of Season 1 of Aging Vibrantly, we are putting a stop to frauds and scams targeting seniors. Our host Raeann Rideout and co-host Mary Ennis, speak with Stephanie Senecal, the Senior Support Unit Coordinator from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with Karen Deredin and Bonnie Bednarik, who are senior volunteers at the CAFC, who share their wealth of information and their lived experience to help us gain a better understanding of how frauds happen and actions to take to prevent frauds and scams. Every year, people of all ages fall victim to fraud. Data from the...
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Bridging the Gap : Building Generational Connections
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this episode, Bridging the Gap : Building Generational Connections we explore intergenerational programs that promote understanding and mutual respect among generations, contribute to age friendly communities and have proven to work in addressing ageism. In fact, intergenerational programs are valued and celebrated across Canada and internationally with events held on Intergenerational Day in Canada each year on June 1 and during Global Intergenerational Week which is recognized this year from April 24 - 30, 2025. Join us to listen to our senior expert on intergenerational learning, Sharon...
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Inspirations for Lifelong Learning
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this episode, our guest Olive Bryanton, is the epitome of the life-long learner. Motivated to learn with her unending curiosity and desire to advocate and improve the lives of older adults, we learn about her journey to going back to PEI University to complete her Phd. Floursishing from her research, peer mentoring endevours and organizational connections, led Olive to her current advocacy work in community and government, leadership roles on needs older women in rural areas and role model for other later life learners. In this episode you will learn : How Olive defines life...
info_outlineWe live in a society that is increasingly separating individuals into age-based groups, which can lead to limited interaction and the potential for negative stereotypes and discrimination, particularly towards older adults. So how can we best address this to build connections and relationships between age groups and generations.
In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host April Struthers, feature the University of Toronto’s Intergenerational Classroom, with guests Dr. Raza Mirza, professor and creator of the program, alongside with Florene Shuber a senior participant of the course, who is also a resident of Christie Gardens, a retirement and Long-term care home where the course is hosted.
We explore a new and novel approach of Intergenerational Classrooms which breaks down barriers between generations, offers a safe space to discuss ageism and allows students to explore aging from a viewpoint that considers the perspectives of both older and younger generations.
You will be inspired about the impacts this program has had on enriching the lives of students, seniors and teachers, opening doors for students to pursue careers in the field of aging, as well as the relationships that emerged through the intergenerational engagements and most impressive of all the transformational learning experiences.
Learn more about how you can be part of joining the intergenerational network across the country.
Until next time - Stay Vibrant!
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References & Resources:
Intergenerational Classroom building bridges across generations. Presentation
https://sagelink.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Raza-Mirza.pdf
Media Interviews
New University of Toronto course is building bridges across generations. September 11, 2023
https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/news/building-bridges-across-generations/
This retirement home is redefining what it means to grow old. Globe and Mail Jan. 13, 2025.
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/adv/article-this-retirement-home-is-redefining-what-it-means-to-grow-old/
An intergenerational classroom is bridging generation gaps. Toronto City News. Dec. 2023
https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2023/12/05/an-intergenerational-classroom-is-bridging-generation-gaps/Video
Intergenerational classroom giving university students and seniors a unique learning experience. Nov. 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erBpyvnh4Qs&t=1s
Other Programs:
Intergenerational programs offer seniors and students ‘good medicine’. Canadian Affairs. June 5 2025
https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/06/05/intergenerational-classrooms-and-care-homes-offer-seniors-and-students-good-medicine/
TRENT UNIVERSITY - Intergenerational Classroom: A New Approach to Addressing Ageism. October, 2024
https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/university/1/1103531/intergenerational-classroom-a-new-approach-to-addressing-ageism.html#:~:text=October%201%2C%202024,t%20going%20to%20be%20enough.%22
Resources:
Connecting generations: planning and implementing interventions for intergenerational contact. WHO October 2023
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240070264
This guide, developed for the campaign, builds on the evidence in the global report on ageism that interventions for intergenerational contact is one of three strategies that have been proven to work in addressing ageism, together with policy and law and educational interventions.
Changing the Narrative: Ending Ageism Together
On the same pAGE – intergenerational toolkit that brings people of all ages together to discuss their experiences with aging and ageism is an opportunity to find common ground.
Intergenerational Conversations on Ageism.
https://changingthenarrativeco.org/intergenerational-conversations/
Old School A Hub for Age Equity & Ageism Awareness
online resources about ageism in multiple languages.
https://oldschool.info/
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About Our Guests:
Dr. Raza Mirza is the director of National Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization with HelpAge Canada and Assistant Professor at University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash (IN WHEN TASH) Faculty of Social Work’s Institute for Life Course and Aging. His areas of expertise and teaching interests include medical decision-making, aging-in-place, and factors such as social isolation and loneliness influencing late-life social, mental and physical well-being. He was this year’s recipient of CanAge’s Dr. Elizabeth Podneiks Award for Elder Rights in Canada which he received at the National World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event. And most importantly and why we have Raza with us today, is he is responsible for designing and instructing a University Intergenerational Classroom that is hosted at Christie Gardens Residence in Toronto.
Florene Shuber, is an advocate, retired lawyer, teacher/educator, and was a principal of the Montessori Teachers’ College and Montessori Dementia Program.
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Credits:
Producer: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts
Podcast Coordinator: Lisa Widdifield
Co-Host: Pauline Luening, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee
Orginal Music: Redpath Audio
We want to thank HelpAge Canada for their financial support to produce Season 2 of the Aging Vibrantly podcast.
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If you prefer to watch the interviews, full episodes are available on Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario’s YouTube Channel.
Be sure to check our website eapon.ca to learn more resources on abuse prevention and protecting the rights and dignity of older adults.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as constituting or implying endorsement by EAPO of any entity, product, service or organization mentioned, referenced, or linked