Zoomer Week In Review

More than half of Canadian households maintain a garden and we spend about 4 billion dollars doing it. But this season's weather is throwing a curve. With heavy rains and floods and cold that won't quit, Libby reached out to Gardening guru Mark Cullen for some advice. And It's something every level of government has promised to do and almost everyone would agree with: making our environment accessible for people with disabilities. But even if goodwill is there, the execution has been slow. That's why Man in Motion Rick Hansen is launching a new campaign to raise awareness. Libby chatted with him when he was in town.

May is Vision Health Month. Have you had your eyes checked lately? There's a lot to look out for beyond seeing if you need stronger readers... as Libby found out for herself... Dr. Ritesh Patel of the Ontario Association of Optometrists dropped by to talk about it And Has the legalization of marijuana made you canna-curious? Zoomer Media has teamed up with entrepreneur Derek Riedle of "Civilized" to answer all our questions.

We talk to the inimitable Dr. Ruth Westheimer about the documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth" about the tiny Jewish grandmother who became an unlikely pop culture icon. It's not just about sex. For, Westheimer this was the right time to open up about her past as an orphan of the Holocaust. AND Many of you are probably enjoying or about to enjoy a special Mother's day brunch. And chances are, the way you raised your kids is different from the way they in turn are raising theirs. From helicopter mothers, to snowplows and lawnmowers, the landscape is changing. Erica Diamond is an entrepreneur and parenting expert.

For 34 years the iconic comic strip ran in nearly 1400 newspapers becoming a humourous touchstone for women in a changing times. The real Cathy Guisewhite stopped by the studio to talk about her new book “Fifty Things that aren’t My Fault.” AND Paul Ehrlich’s 1968 book “The Population Bomb” gained wide acceptance with the dire prediction that millions would starve as we competed for scarce resources. Two new works explode that idea. Empty Planet by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson argues that the coming Global Population Decline is a bigger threat. Population Bombed! Exploding the Link Between Overpopulation and Climate Change takes aim at the idea that a growing population can only result in unsustainable increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Their argument is that ingenuity and economic development will provide the answers. The Global Warming Policy Foundation published the book. Libby talked to its Director Benny Peiser when he was in town.

"If You Can Read my Mind" is a song you, and many Zoomers, listened to growing up, and can still be found here on AM 740, but it's also the title of a new documentary about the life, career, influence of the Orillia-born superstar. On the line to talk about it with fill in host Bob Komsic are writers and directors Joan Tosoni and Martha Kehoe. And - What's the first thing you do when you forget something? Do you ask 'What was I looking for?' or 'What did I come here for?' Does it worry you? Or do you brush it off with a smile and call it a senior moment? A new American study has demonstrated that the secret to restoring memory loss, at least temporarily, could be through a series of brief, painless electric pulses to your brain. The study's author, Aneesha Nilakantan of Northwestern University's Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimers Centre, joined Bob Komsic on the line.

More and more older Canadians are interested in medical cannabis because of its potential to ease pain and improve cognitive function. CARP - a new vision of aging - is partnering with Spectrum Cannabis ... a wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation. They will offer tailored educational initiatives for the more than 320-thousand CARP members ...who will received a 20% discount on strains that carry the ''CARP Recommended'' seal. Libby talked with Hilary Black, Chief Advocacy Officer at Spectrum Cannabis And - He’s led orchestras around the world and been a vital part of our sister station The New Classical FM for decades. Now Kerry Stratton is learning to conduct his life with ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Libby visited him and his wife Elizabeth ahead of a special concert in his honour.

She’s a beloved politician, a trailblazing woman and now a cover model at the age of 98... She’s on the cover of the May issue of Zoomer Magazine and has the distinction of being the oldest cover subject ever. Libby talked with the indomitable Hazel McCallion. And - Comedians Steve Martin and hometown guy Martin Short have no intention of retiring although their show alludes to it in the title: “Now you see them soon you won’t.” Libby chatted ahead of their show at the Sony Centre.

In a first in North America, every resident of Nova Scotia could soon become an automatic organ donor. The province is proposing legislation, to adopt ‘presumed consent’ around organ donation, which means everyone is deemed a donor unless they opt out. Families will continue to be consulted about their loved ones' wishes and those under 19 and people without decision-making capacity would be exempt. It’s a system that has worked well in places like Spain and the Netherlands. Libby talked with Dr. Stephen Beed, medical director of Nova Scotia's Legacy of Life and critical care organ donation program. And - 90 percent of women will have to manage their own finances at some point, because they become widowed, divorced, or have never married. “Bank on Yourself” is a primer on how to prepare. Authors Ardelle Harrison and Leslie McCormick dropped by our studios.

Imagine if new information doctors learn from treating a cancer patient here could be immediately available to help tailor a treatment for someone in St. John or iqualouit? That’s the idea behind $150 million item in Last week’s pre-election budget. The money will create a Marathon of Hope Cancer network in the name of Terry Fox so cancer centres, from coast to coast, can share data to personalize therapies using the newest “Precision Medicine”. Libby talked with Dr. Victor Ling President and Scientific Director of TFRI about what it will mean for patients. And - Buffy Sainte Marie is an iconic Canadian singer author and activist famous for her peace anthem “Universal Soldier.” The song was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of fame in 2005. Now the writer is about to receive the same honour. Libby chatted with Buffy Sainte Marie after she got the news.

For years, daily low-dose aspirin was being prescribed as a magic bullet to prevent heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular disease. Older Canadians were advised to undertake this regimen whether they had heart problems or not. Now there is evidence that the risks outweigh the benefits. The American Heart Association released the new guidelines and Libby reached Dr. Marc Ruel at the Ottawa Heart Institute to discuss. And - call it a manual with everything you need to know to push back against ageism. Author Ashton Applewhite says she wanted to erase many of the myths about later life. Libby reached her in NYC.

An unprecedented one-in-six Canadian adults is living alone - Whether by choice or circumstance. Statistics Canada found more than a quarter of Zoomers over 65 are solo dwellers - a number that’s actually declining in part because men are living longer. Nora Spinks CEO of the Vanier Institute of the Family unpacks the trend. And - Can you spot a real from a fake? Apparently, many of us can NOT! A recent survey conducted by Interac found 96 per cent were unable to identify a scam. And the Competition Bureau of Canada says Canadians lost 97 million dollars to fraud last year. That’s why officials are bringing us up to speed on the new and ongoing scams during this Fraud Awareness Month. Libby chatted with Sgt. Guy Paul Larocque of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

First he became the world’s leading advocate of the slow movement. Now best selling author Carl Honore’s new book Bolder is a call to action for us all to redefine aging, which is our philosophy here at Zoomer Media. He joines Libby to talk about it. And – Although Zoomers have the potential to age better than ever before, older parents are also feeling the financial squeeze. A new study by RBC finds a staggering number are still financially supporting children into their mid 30’s. Libby speaks to RBC VP of Retirement Strategies Rick Lowes to find out more.

This week, the provincial government announced sweeping changes to modernize Ontario’s 60 billion dollar health care system. It’s creating a new super-agency by consolidating local and provincial health networks like Cancer Care Ontario, to create a central agency. Libby speaks with Christine Elliott, Minister of Health for Ontario, on what the changes mean for Zoomers. And – As the federal government prepares to pardon Canadians for simple pot possession….Chris James, the owner of a former Toronto pot dispensary, is suing the province for damages, after the Ford Tories capped the number of retail pot licenses at just 25. Chris James joins Libby to talk about it.

Have you ever received really bad customer service but you weren’t sure how to “fight back”? There’s a new way to resolve consumer complaints that takes the guesswork out of filing your grievance. Libby talks with founder and CEO of myresolver.ca, James Walker. And – Remembering a pioneering fashion icon. 85-year-old designer Karl Lagerfeld died this week, and was working until almost the end of his life. Libby talks with Zoomer Magazine editor-in-chief and veteran fashion journalist Suzanne Boyd.

With a federal election just 8 months away, the Trudeau government’s final budget is expected sometime next month. The Zoomer Advocacy group CARP has spent this last year calling for critical changes needed for older Canadians like financial security, healthcare and housing support. The man who will deliver the budget, Finance minister Bill Morneau, visited our Zoomer Radio studios this week. And – Table tennis CAN be a low impact sport with many health benefits for older Canadians. But a Toronto senior athlete is taking it to the next level. We’ll introduce you to the 75 year old who’ll compete in next year’s table tennis world championship. You may already know him…Libby talks with former city councilor Gordon Cressy.

Ground-breaking Canadian research is radically changing the way we think of vascular disease. For the first time ever, the connections between heart conditions, stroke and cognitive decline have been mapped, proving they’re more deeply connected than researchers knew. The Heart and Stroke Foundation calls it a troubling wake up call. Libby talks to director of Toronto West Regional Stroke Centre and U of T professor, Dr. Leanne Casaubon. And – We remember the remarkable life of Kitty Cohen, whose infectious spirit made her a celebrity. The 106-year-died this week. Her active life serves as a lesson to us all on how to embrace aging.

Six months into the job, Canada’s new minister for seniors has crisscrossed the country on a listening tour. Libby caught up with Minister Filomena Tassi to hear what older Canadians are saying as her government prepares to deliver its final budget before the fall election. And – Thousands of Canadian paramedics are being trained to deliver palliative care. The initiative is meant to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and offer access to urgent end-of-life care. Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement is one of the organizations funding the program. Libby talks to CEO Jennifer Zelmer.

Be honest, have you ever lied to your doctor? It turns out a disturbing number of patients are not forthcoming with their physicians. Many say they just don’t want to be judged or lectured, and some doctors say this disturbing new information, published in the American Medical Association Journal, is a wake up call for both patient and physician. Toronto doctor Iris Gorfinkel joins Libby to talk about it. And – January seems to be the month for self improvement. There’s VEGANUARY, DRY-JANUARY and now, many are buying into a wildly popular decluttering program, spearheaded by organizing guru Marie Condo whose drastic tidying tenets have inspired legions of followers. Libby talks to KonMarie method practitioner Ivanka Siolkowsky.

Canada’s new food guide hasn’t been made public yet but already it is getting kudos for abandoning beef and dairy as separate categories in favour of “protein foods.” The document was first published in the ’40’s and last updated in 2007. Dietician Rosie Schwartz likes what she’s hearing and argues the government recommendations should be based on science and NOT influenced by powerful rich food companies. And – Technology meets the road at this year’s popular International Car Show in Detroit. Libby talks to consultant Dennis Desrosiers, an industry insider, to find out what vehicles are capturing the interest of Zoomers at the marquee car event.

Death is often a taboo subject but NOT for an Ottawa-based Doctor who talks openly about it with his patients. His new computer algorithm can predict the end of life in years, months and even weeks. Libby talks to Dr. Peter Tanuseputro, the doctor behind this end-of-life-calculator to learn the benefits and potential drawbacks. And – The next 3 months are the busiest for Canadians leaving the cold weather for sunnier climates. But this year, more and more are following the lead of Zoomers ..who have led the way in swapping ‘fly and fry’ vacations for food and culture trips. Libby find out more from Zoomer Magazine Editor Vivian Vassos.