by Gillian Ranson
ON POINT PRESS: A UBC PRESS IMPRINT
2022/$22.95/196 pp.
When does aging actually begin? This question has stayed with me since my first-year biology professor started the class by stating “aging and death begin the moment we are born.” I’ve wondered about that ever since—aging is a fact of life, but it’s easy to deny, for awhile, until one day it isn’t. So, for everyone who is interested—and that should be all of us—Gillian Ranson’s book about aging comes as a welcome and informative guide.
Ranson, a professor emerita of sociology at the University of Calgary, explores aging through conversations with 100 women and men who are part of the “boomer” demographic (those born between 1946 and 1965, making up 25 per cent of Canada’s population). Although her title suggests the book is solely about “boomers,” it will be of interest beyond that cohort.
Ranson divides her findings into three parts. The first examines who the boomers are—people that grew up in a postwar time when economic security allowed parents to focus on the nuclear family instead of larger groups such as kin, friends and communities. As a result, closer ties all but disappeared as individuals moved across the country or around the world for work—with the unintended consequence of reaching old age in isolation without the relationships necessary for well-being. The nuclear family, in fact, does not suit us well when it comes to older age and the need for close social ties. In contrast to earlier family or other cultural family forms, elders such as aunts and uncles are often “the forgotten kin.”
Part two focuses on lessons learned from the pandemic, revealing the shameful inadequacies and abuses of institutional care in Canada—Alberta included. Part three then pivots to reimagine aging. According to Ranson’s research, most people want to age in place, but this requires the intentional application of extensive existing research supporting improvements in the quality of homecare. For health and well-being, consistent relationships are desperately needed. At the same time, Ranson’s findings, and the people she interviewed, could inspire individuals to confront aging in new ways. There’s a lot to learn as she engages with diverse Canadians to learn how personal life transitions, health status and energy changes contribute to what lies ahead. Philip, who is in his early 70s, opines that, “You can be so busy that you don’t take any time to figure out where you’re going, or where you should be going.” Melanie explains aging as “treading water” when she wonders about “what’s going to happen next, and am I going to be prepared to deal with it?”
Aging can be much better managed both personally and systemically, concludes Ranson. Her book has lessons for us all.
Jane Ross is a writer and speaker in the Battle River region.
