Over the last several years the Board of Directors of GANS have worked diligently to find new and inventive ways to reach our membership and general population when the numbers at events started to decline. GANS held more intimate events like Networking Tuesdays and Lunch & Learns. Unfortunately people just did not attend these events.  We also  attempted to host a conventional style conference as well as an unconference, both of which were cancelled due to lack of registration.   We polled our membership for what they would like to receive from us, and responded with a website and members forum, both of which were not well utilized. GANS also lifted the membership fees for everyone to encourage more interest in the Association. When the fees had to be reapplied after two years, GANS was faced with the reality that very few members (<25) were willing to pay for membership.

As a result, of this, we realized that the time had come for GANS to dissolve as we could no longer ask the board members to continue putting forward time and effort. We put dissolution to a vote with the membership and they have  passed the special resolution for dissolving the Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia. The application shall be completed and submitted to the Registry. The remaining funds in GANS’ coffers were project funds received from the Department of Seniors and will be returned to them as per the Registry guidelines.

The decline in engagement has baffled the Board of Directors. As a group we felt that and still feel that aging is one of the biggest policy and community issues facing this province that has yet to be addressed. In the year 2012 this province does not have a dementia strategy and is faced with some of the highest alternative level of care rates in the country and there is not public discourse to have these and so many more issues addressed in a fair and systematic way.

It  is our hope that the void that is created by the dissolution of GANS is quickly filled with a ground swell of committed and concerned citizens who will voice the concerns of an aging population and advocate for those who have lost their voice. People who will ensure that every senior has enough, is treated with respect, and no one lives in fear in their home wherever that may be. There cannot be complacency with regard to the experiences of seniors in our province. There continues to be a great need for a spotlight and voice on  the lived realities of seniors.

Aging is the single unifier between every single one of us. We are all growing older and it is our wish that every single citizen in this province maintains their dignity and pride.

Thank you for your support over the past 35 years.

 Board of Directors

Gerontology Association of Nova Scotia 1977-2012

Olga Kotelko is an athlete who excels in a number of track and field events, winning medals and beating the competition in contests all over the world.

She can also bench press weights that would challenge any man.

She’s been a runner for many years.

One other thing: Olga Kotelko is 92 years old.

She has the physique, the strength and the stamina of someone 20 or more years younger.

She is so extraordinary that scientists who study the mysteries of aging are trying to unlock the secret of her longevity.

In our First Hour, a documentary portrait of Olga the Magnificent by John Chipman and a conversation about the secrets of aging or not.

Click here to listen to the broadcast.

J. Desveaux

Jeanne Desveaux, a Halifax lawyer specializing in elder law will be on hand to explain some the issues around this topic. This talk is free and light refreshments will be provided.

Time: 1:30-3pm

Date: November 28, 2011

Place: Royal Bank Theatre, 1st flr, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St, Halifax.

This session is part of  the Let’s Talk About Staying Healthy in Mid Life and Beyond which will run monthly until June of 2012.  GANS is pleased to work with the HEALTH committee on this series of talks, which are made possible in part by support from the Evelyn Negus Fund and At Home Homecare.

“Intergenerational relations in changing times”

Join us as we hear insights from author Ingrid Arnet Connidis, Ph.D.

Dr. Ingrid Arnet Connidis is an internationally acclaimed social gerontologist. She is Professor of Sociology at the University of WesternOntario and currently a visiting professor at St. Thomas University, New Brunswick. In her quantitative and qualitative research she hasexplored various facets of aging and family relationships including work-family balance, sibling ties, family ties across generations, thefamily ties of gay and lesbian adults, and step relationships.

To register please contact:

Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University by Nov. 29, 2011 at (902) 457-6546  or email at  nsca@msvu.ca

Thursday, December 1

4:30 – 6:00pm

Mount Saint Vincent University Faculty Lounge

Seton Academic Centre RM 404

(Meet & greet between 4:30 – 5:00pm Light refreshments will be served)

Why leisure? Why it’s important for me? You’ll have the opportunity to learn from others and share experiences. Set goals and become better equipped todeal with the stresses.This two session workshop will be offered in conjunction with the Take Action program for those living with chronic health conditions.

Workshops will be held at the Canada Games Centre, Clayton ParkTuesday, November 22 & 29, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

To register call the Northwood Community Centre at 454-3351 or the Canada Games Centre 490-2581. Please leave your name and contact information.

Light refreshments will be provided

All are welcome to attend this exciting panel discussion on Dementia Care. ThePanel will include Dr. Chris MacKnight, Department of Geriatric Medicine, CapitalHealth, a pharmacist, social worker, and nurse practitioner. NSGNA members willalso need to vote on a number of resolutions at our AGM.
For more information, please visit the NSGNA website
or contact Dana McNamara-Morse
Phone: (902) 847-1940 Email: dmcnamaramorse@avdha.nshealth.ca

Holiday Inn Harbourview (McNab Room)

101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, NS
Date: Monday November 7th, 2011Time: 4:30 – 8:00pm
A three course meal is included in the registration fee:
NSGNA Members $35
Non-Members $45

Conference themes

• Challenging Behaviours
• Pain Management in the older Person
• Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
• Care by Design Model

Date: November 4, 2011

Place: Ramada Park Place Hotel, Dartmouth

For the conference brochure, click here.

The Time Frames Program is a brand new 10-week long program that provides a vehicle for adults 55 and older with disabilities and seniors to express themselves through community based arts programs while at the same time addressing various issues facing the communities that they are a part of. In effect, this program is a community development program for under served communities that tap into the lived experiences of community elders. There will also be an inter-generational component in the program. Elders and youth will collaborate on community based art projects that address identified needs or issues within a community.

Dates: Thursday September 15th – November 17th, 2011

Times: 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Location: Seniors Lounge, Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola Street

Participants can register by mail by sending in the registration form to the address on the form, or on line here.