Rethinking Aging: A Call for Reflection and Inclusion

In a culture that often prioritizes youth, a growing conversation is emerging about the realities and opportunities of aging. The latest episode of Pathways to Stillness on CHCO-TV, a series dedicated to exploring mindfulness and meaning for residents of Southwest New Brunswick, tackles this issue head-on, reframing aging as an evolving narrative rather than a period of decline.

Hosted by Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon, a gerontologist and Tai Chi instructor based in St. Andrews, alongside co-host Vicki Hogarth of CHCO-TV, the episode examines the societal structures that shape our perceptions of aging and calls for a shift toward greater inclusivity and understanding.

A Changing Demographic and a Shifting Perspective

With life expectancy on the rise, Canada is seeing a demographic shift that challenges traditional views on aging. “The fastest-growing age group is people over 100,” Dr. Irwin-Kenyon noted, emphasizing that longevity brings new questions about meaning and purpose beyond work and family.

Yet, as people live longer, agism remains a persistent issue. “There's even a word for it—ageism,” he pointed out, underscoring the biases that often frame older individuals as less capable or relevant. Hogarth added a personal reflection on society’s discomfort with physical changes. “I know that I’m at an age now where wrinkles are starting to set in and I need reading glasses... and that’s scary. While it is a privilege to grow old, it still comes with its challenges,” she admitted, highlighting the deeply ingrained fear of declining physically and mentally.

Aging as a Narrative, Not a Number

Rather than viewing ageing as a process of loss, the episode encourages a different perspective—one that sees life as an unfolding story. “You have a physical story, but you also have a social story, an inside story,” Dr. Irwin-Kenyon explained. By embracing this narrative approach, individuals can reclaim control over their experience of aging, seeing it as a period of reflection and growth rather than limitation.

This shift in mindset, he suggests, can be supported by stillness practices such as Tai Chi. “With stillness practice, you can step back and take a broader view of who you are,” he said, reinforcing the idea that mindfulness can serve as a powerful tool in navigating the later stages of life.

Breaking the Silence on Death and Dying

The episode also tackles one of the most avoided topics in Western culture—death. Dr. Irwin-Kenyon recalled teaching a university course on death and dying, which, to his surprise, was one of the most popular courses among young students. Many, he said, were drawn to the subject because they had experienced personal loss and found that their families avoided discussing it.

“They told me, ‘Nobody wants to talk about this at home, but I want to talk about it,’” he said, illustrating the societal discomfort surrounding mortality. He also shared the reflections of students who found meaning in life by confronting their fears about death. “I found new meaning in my life by going through these awful experiences,” one student told him.

Embracing Aging as a Privilege, Not a Burden

As the conversation wrapped up, Pathways to Stillness reinforced a central message: aging is not something to be feared but embraced. Dr. Irwin-Kenyon pointed to Indigenous traditions as a source of inspiration, noting that “in the First Nations tradition, old people are not called old. They’re elders.” This distinction reflects a deeper cultural value—one that recognizes wisdom, experience, and the contributions of older generations.

For those feeling uneasy about getting older, the episode offers practical guidance: find moments of stillness, embrace the present, and challenge societal narratives that diminish the value of later life.

A Call for Civic Engagement

Dr. Irwin-Kenyon provided viewers with a weekly exercise to try at home and provided an email address for viewers to share their experiences, which he will address on the next episode. By fostering conversations around agism, mental well-being, and the power of narrative, the series contributes to a broader civic discussion—one that moves beyond fear and embraces aging as an integral part of the human experience.