—<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n**00:00:04 Announcement**<\/p>\n
Blue Sky on CBC Radio 1. We\u2019re coming to you from the traditional territories of the **Dene**, **Cree**, **Saulteaux**, **Dakota**, **Lakota**, and the homeland of the **M\u00e9tis**.<\/p>\n
**00:00:18 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
We are all getting older, and as our population ages, many people are trying to figure out how best to use technology to support aging adults to live longer, fuller lives. Japan has long been looked to as a leader in technology, but it also has a rapidly aging population. So today on *Blue Sky*, we\u2019re going to talk about the lessons Canada can learn from Japan when it comes to aging. We\u2019ll also hear about some of the technologies already being used in our province to better support aging adults.<\/p>\n
**00:00:48 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
And of course, we want to hear from you. What does aging well look like for you? Have you embraced any technologies that have allowed you or a loved one to stay in your home longer? Call us at **1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221** or email **bluesky@cbc.ca**. Tonight, the University of Regina **Centre on Aging and Health** is hosting a public lecture. The topic is *Live Long, Die Short*.<\/p>\n
**00:01:21 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
*Subtitle: Aging at the Intersection of Technology, Philosophy, and Purpose.* The person giving that lecture is in our Regina studio right now. **Dominic Carter** has just flown in from Japan. He\u2019s a long\u2011time resident there and a consumer researcher whose business connects people who want to invest in technologies that help people live and age better. Tonight, he\u2019ll be talking about the lessons our country can learn from Japan. But first, he\u2019s graciously agreed to be our guest this noon hour.<\/p>\n
**00:01:51 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, welcome to Saskatchewan and welcome to *Blue Sky*.<\/p>\n
**00:01:55 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Thank you for having me.<\/p>\n
**00:01:56 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
And also joining him in the studio is **Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**. He is the Director of the Centre on Aging and Health at the University of Regina. Thomas, thanks for being with us, and welcome to *Blue Sky*.<\/p>\n
**00:02:09 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
Thank you very much for having me.<\/p>\n
**00:02:11 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, I\u2019m starting with you. Paint us a picture of what\u2019s going on in Japan right now regarding people and aging.<\/p>\n
**00:02:22 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Sure. One thing a lot of people may not realize is that Japan has the oldest population that has ever existed in the history of the world. At this point, about **30%** of the population is over the age of 65. So, in Japan we\u2019re dealing with completely unprecedented issues: how do we successfully manage a population like that? We\u2019re learning as we go.<\/p>\n
**00:02:52 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
So far, I think we\u2019re doing a pretty good job\u2014but Japan is a little further ahead than most of the rest of the world. The issues Japan is dealing with now are the issues countries in Europe and North America will deal with in due course.<\/p>\n
**00:03:09 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
And how does what Dominic just described compare with what\u2019s happening here in Canada\u2014particularly in Saskatchewan?<\/p>\n
**00:03:23 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
In Canada, the proportion of older adults in the general population is not quite as high as in Japan\u2014about **20%** here. Still, people 65+ are the fastest\u2011growing demographic. We project that in about 40\u201345 years, **one in four** Canadians will be over 65. So the numbers are rapidly increasing, but we\u2019re not yet at Japan\u2019s level.<\/p>\n
**00:04:06 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s talk about whether we\u2019re prepared for this. Having lived in Europe and now North America\u2014and looking at Japan\u2014I understand different cultures approach aging very differently. Dominic, how is aging thought about in Japan?<\/p>\n
**00:04:26 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
In Western culture, we tend to worship youth. As the years go by, it\u2019s quite normal to do extreme things to \u201cturn back the clock.\u201d Japan isn\u2019t really like that. On the whole, people accept aging as a natural process.<\/p>\n
**00:04:56 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Certainly, people don\u2019t want to look older than their age. If I\u2019m in my mid\u201160s, I don\u2019t want to look older than someone else in their mid\u201160s\u2014but I don\u2019t need to look 40 when I\u2019m 65. There\u2019s generally an acceptance of aging as a natural process and less of a perception that aging is a \u201cproblem to fix.\u201d In the West, we\u2019re very focused on fixing things.<\/p>\n
**00:05:32 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Do you think that acceptance helps Japan approach an aging population\u2014perhaps \u201cmanage\u201d it better?<\/p>\n
**00:05:43 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
I think it does\u2014it helps manage expectations. People expect the changes that come with aging and work hard to stay healthy. In fact, the average age at which people go into care in Japan is significantly later than in many countries, partly because people take care of their health. There\u2019s also a sense of shame in asking for help\u2014not necessarily a good thing\u2014but people do cooperate to make it as easy as possible for society to manage.<\/p>\n
**00:06:29 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
I want to include our listeners. What does aging well look like for you in Saskatchewan? Have you embraced technologies that have allowed you or a loved one to stay in your home longer? Call us at 1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221 or email **bluesky@cbc.ca**. Dominic, on what you just said\u2014<\/p>\n
**00:07:00 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
\u2014I\u2019m interested in why people go to hospital or into care later. You mentioned people seem to take more care of their health. Why is that?<\/p>\n
**00:07:11 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
They\u2019re healthier on average. And families take a greater role than in many Western countries in caring for their elders. In Japan, you\u2019ll often have caregivers in their late 70s caring for people in their 80s. You might see a wife caring for her husband, for example. So we have people we\u2019d consider \u201celderly\u201d doing quite heavy physical work\u2014helping with lifting, bathing, getting dressed, and so on\u2014when in our societies we might think they\u2019re due for care themselves.<\/p>\n
**00:08:01 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Thomas, what are you seeing? We\u2019ve talked about the \u201csandwich generation\u201d\u2014people raising kids while caring for parents. Are we really that different?<\/p>\n
**00:08:21 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
In some ways, yes. Most caregivers in Canada\u2014and in Saskatchewan\u2014are not as old as Dominic described; most are adult children of the care recipients. We also see a lot of women in nursing homes compared to men, in part because women live longer. And attitudes differ: during the pandemic, we saw social media posts implying older adults were expendable. I doubt we\u2019d see that in Japan. I hope attitudes are changing here, but Japan likely values older adults\u2014their contributions and wisdom\u2014more than we do.<\/p>\n
**00:09:57 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, this brings us to the philosophy behind aging. Your presentation tonight is about **ikigai**\u2014personal purpose\u2014and **pin pin korori**\u2014\u201clive long, die short.\u201d How does this fit with what Thomas just said about different views on aging?<\/p>\n
**00:10:21 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
We can look at Japan\u2019s ideal of aging through *pin pin korori*. A good example is the late **Queen Elizabeth II**: she lived to a ripe age, met the new prime minister, then took what might have been her first \u201csick day\u201d in decades, and shortly after, passed away. She was fully engaged in life and service until the end. In Tokyo, you\u2019ll see people in their 80s working in ramen or Chinese restaurants\u2014still very much \u201cin it.\u201d *Pin pin korori* is: I\u2019ll keep going, and one day I\u2019ll die\u2014and it will happen quickly.<\/p>\n
**00:11:24 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
**Ikigai**, on the other hand, is what makes you want to live like that. It\u2019s whatever gets you up in the morning. It doesn\u2019t have to be grand. In the West, we often think we need big life goals, or our lives have no meaning. In Japan, it can be modest: tending a bonsai, caring for a pet, practicing calligraphy. It\u2019s small, habitual engagement\u2014a modest form of happiness that\u2019s still central to how many Japanese think about living.<\/p>\n
**00:12:38 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
I\u2019d love to hear our listeners\u2019 **ikigai**\u2014your personal purpose. What gets you up in the morning and keeps you going? Our number is 1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221, and our email is **bluesky@cbc.ca**. Anecdotally, my father (who had dementia) passed away; my mother has Parkinson\u2019s and dementia. It seemed both declined when their purpose disappeared. My dad retired and did less socially; my mom collapsed after his death. I can relate to purpose being helpful. Dominic, your research talks about this\u2014why is purpose so important?<\/p>\n
**00:13:36 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
When we think about technology, adoption can be challenging among older adults. What we\u2019ve found is that people with strong purpose\u2014**high ikigai**\u2014are more inclined to age **with** technology. If we envision a future powered by technology, it also has to help us live happier lives and support our **ikigai**.<\/p>\n
**00:14:17 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
How can technology do that\u2014help adults have a sense of fulfillment?<\/p>\n
**00:14:23 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the question. When people hear \u201cage tech,\u201d they think mostly of care\u2014care homes, assisted living. That\u2019s important; caregivers have tough jobs and there are many misses technology can help prevent. But why should \u201cage tech\u201d exclude tools that help us avoid loneliness, be entertained, or pursue our hobbies? Technology should extend our engagement in what we love for as long as possible. It\u2019s not just about compensating for physical issues; it should also help us fulfill our purpose.<\/p>\n
**00:15:44 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Thomas, what are you seeing in Saskatchewan on technology and prevention?<\/p>\n
**00:15:54 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
If I may speak more broadly: one of the biggest problems we face is **dementia**\u2014including Alzheimer\u2019s\u2014and our efforts to find a cure. Unfortunately, there\u2019s no cure on the horizon. I\u2019m 63; I don\u2019t expect to see one in my lifetime, and perhaps not in yours. But technology can address problems associated with dementia or frailty. For example, **self\u2011driving vehicles**\u2014likely available in the next few years\u2014could safely take people from A to B when they can no longer drive due to cognitive or visual impairments. Caregivers might monitor or approve trips and know where the person is. There are many such examples.<\/p>\n
**00:17:34 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
And prevention? My parents were very lonely\u2014socializing is vital for people with dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s. What tools help prevent or delay it?<\/p>\n
**00:18:00 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
Prevention tools include **diet**\u2014what\u2019s good for your heart is good for your brain (a Mediterranean\u2011style diet is preferred; high saturated fat is not). **Exercise**\u2014safe and appropriate\u2014is another. **Sleep** matters. **Education and cognitive engagement** are also important, but it has to be continuous, not a single crossword puzzle in the morning. Keep your brain active throughout the day.<\/p>\n
**00:19:01 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
How can technology support that prevention?<\/p>\n
**00:19:09 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Think **connectedness**. Any technology that helps us connect will help with dementia, because isolation is harmful. Smart speakers are one example\u2014but we need solutions that are truly **user\u2011friendly**. From experience with my mother (who had dementia), I tried a smart speaker so she could say, \u201cCall Dominic,\u201d and it didn\u2019t really work as hoped. We need to design for human factors. There\u2019s also a company called **Xenia** that makes video programming designed to be pleasing and soothing for people with dementia\u2014bringing stimulation instead of staring at a wall.<\/p>\n
**00:20:39 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Has COVID\u2014and the loneliness it brought\u2014helped boost some technology?<\/p>\n
**00:20:50 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
Yes, to some extent. We saw **simplified tablet interfaces**\u2014large on\/off buttons connecting people with family\u2014developed and adopted more during lockdowns. Technology was especially important then because it allowed people to connect.<\/p>\n
**00:21:30 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
We\u2019re going to take a short break. A reminder: call **1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221** or email **bluesky@cbc.ca** with your questions or thoughts. [News break follows.]<\/p>\n
**00:21:55 Theresa Kliem (Host) [after news]**<\/p>\n
You\u2019re listening to *Blue Sky* on CBC Radio One across Saskatchewan. We\u2019re talking about what aging well looks like for you, and the technologies you or your loved ones have embraced to stay at home longer. Email **bluesky@cbc.ca** or call **1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221**. Our guests are **Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos** (University of Regina) and **Dominic Carter**.<\/p>\n
**00:22:25 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, I\u2019ve read\u2014and you mentioned\u2014that older adults in Japan are more open\u2011minded to tech and enjoy better quality of life\u2014physically and cognitively\u2014for longer than many Western counterparts. We talked about philosophy; is that the only reason?<\/p>\n
**00:23:05 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Not the only reason. In **Confucian\u2011influenced cultures**, respect for elders remains strong. Japan is, in many ways, still a traditional culture. Culturally, aging is valued. People live healthy, active lives; that leads to better outcomes. There\u2019s also a greater sense of personal responsibility for health, so people look for tools that help them maintain it.<\/p>\n
**00:23:47 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s bring in a caller. **Maria in Swift Current**, you have some thoughts on today\u2019s topic.<\/p>\n
**00:23:53 Maria (Caller)**<\/p>\n
Hi. You\u2019ve talked about how Japan is accepting of aging, but we still often frame aging as a \u201cproblem.\u201d We\u2019ve extended life, but there are environmental and social consequences. We\u2019ve also built a society that segregates families. I get frustrated when we keep looking to technology for solutions\u2014industry helped create some of these problems. We need an honest look at society, not just faith that we\u2019ll \u201cinvent our way out\u201d of this.<\/p>\n
**00:25:42 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Maria, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Thomas, your reaction?<\/p>\n
**00:25:52 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
I agree with part of what she said. In the West, older adults are often isolated and discouraged from staying involved. Until a decade or two ago we had mandatory retirement. But I don\u2019t think **technology** is the sole cause of isolation\u2014there are broader stereotypes and expectations at play. Technology can isolate (e.g., spending too much time on our phones), but it can also connect. No technology is inherently good or bad\u2014it\u2019s **how we use it**. Our goal is to use it optimally to better people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
**00:27:18 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go to Saskatoon to learn how technology is helping residents of **Sherbrooke Community Centre** and **Central Haven Special Care Home**. Our next guest is **Deb Schick**, nurse and leader of professional practice at Sherbrooke, and administrator of Central Haven. Deb is on the line.<\/p>\n
**00:27:50 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Hello, Deb, and thank you for joining us on *Blue Sky*. Perfect timing\u2014we\u2019re in the middle of talking about how technology can help people who are aging. How are you using it to help residents of Central Haven?<\/p>\n
**00:28:06 Deb Schick (Sherbrooke\/Central Haven)**<\/p>\n
At Central Haven and Sherbrooke, we\u2019re an inclusive community working hard to reduce stigma for people with dementia. We\u2019re **unlocking doors**\u2014most are now unlocked\u2014so people have free access to the larger community. Sherbrooke is a large building with lots happening: an art studio, an aviary, music all the time. We want people to experience all of it. We use **bracelets** linked to door\u2011alert systems. If someone needs extra support to avoid going outside alone, the system alerts a phone or notifies a nurse or care aide when someone is near a door or goes outside. We can then redirect them safely or take them for a walk\u2014whatever they want. This has opened more of the community to our residents. Some also use **GPS** devices\u2014those need to be charged daily, but many families find them helpful so loved ones can experience the outside community safely.<\/p>\n
**00:30:00 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve also talked about isolation, especially during COVID. How are residents using technology to communicate with loved ones?<\/p>\n
**00:30:12 Deb Schick**<\/p>\n
Many residents have **iPads**, and we have facility iPads, too. If family lives outside Saskatoon, they can **FaceTime**. Some residents use **text\u2011to\u2011speech apps**: they type what they\u2019d like to say, tap a button, and the device speaks for them. Regaining that voice is huge.<\/p>\n
**00:30:52 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
One more question before our next caller. My mother has Parkinson\u2019s and dementia; she feared and resisted newer technology. How do you help people get comfortable using it?<\/p>\n
**00:31:14 Deb Schick**<\/p>\n
We\u2019re lucky at Sherbrooke\u2014we have a great group of **Grade 6 students** who help elders with technology and build comfort using it. They\u2019re remarkably capable and generous with their time, and our elders love it.<\/p>\n
**00:31:43 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Intergenerational learning\u2014wonderful. Deb, thank you so much.<\/p>\n
**00:32:02 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Deb Schick is a nurse and leader of professional practice at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon. Let\u2019s go to **Ruth in Waldheim**, who has a story to share. Ruth, thanks for calling *Blue Sky*.<\/p>\n
**00:32:23 Ruth (Caller)**<\/p>\n
My mother\u2011in\u2011law in Manitoba was very tech\u2011averse. Her hearing was so bad that phone calls were frustrating\u2014she had to guess what we said, and she couldn\u2019t go out to do banking. Phone banking didn\u2019t work either because she couldn\u2019t hear. We set her up with a **hearing\u2011assist handset** that had great reviews, and it has been a **life\u2011changer**. Now she can do online banking, and when we phone, she can actually hear us. There\u2019s also a **boost button** if it\u2019s hard to hear. It\u2019s made such a difference\u2014otherwise it\u2019s very isolating when you can\u2019t hear.<\/p>\n
**00:34:38 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Ruth, thank you so much for sharing, and all the best to your family. Dominic, we\u2019ve heard great examples from Ruth and Deb. Before we talk about prevention and falls, in general\u2014what kinds of technologies are most readily accepted by older adults?<\/p>\n
**00:35:12 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Probably the most successful \u201cage tech\u201d device today is the **smartphone**. Many older adults in Japan use smartphones well into their 80s and 90s. They may not use every app, but **LINE**\u2014similar to WhatsApp\u2014is ubiquitous, and many older adults use it daily. Hearing the callers reinforces that we need **community** around us as we age to help with tech. There are many good solutions already; adoption often fails not because of the tech, but because people lack someone patient and willing to teach and keep supporting them. It\u2019s always **people + technology + community**. Technology alone is never the solution.<\/p>\n
**00:36:34 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Thomas, we heard Ruth mention falling. I slipped on the ice today myself. My mom, with Parkinson\u2019s, has fallen at home. What technologies are you seeing in Saskatchewan to help people age better\u2014especially preventing falls and getting help if they happen?<\/p>\n
**00:37:05 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
Starting with **after a fall**: there are **in\u2011home sensors** that detect falls. If someone falls, a voice asks, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d\u2014then asks again. If there\u2019s still no response, it **calls for help**. We\u2019ve seen cases where people fall and aren\u2019t found until the next day\u2014these systems can prevent that. In long\u2011term care, we\u2019re using **computer vision** to analyze how people **walk**. These technologies are becoming remarkably accurate at predicting who is at higher risk of falling so we can act earlier.<\/p>\n
**00:38:16 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
**Prevention** measures are often low\u2011tech: install **grab bars**, use **wider steps**, and wear the **right shoes\/soles** to reduce slipping. Fitness matters\u2014fitter people are less likely to fall and less likely to be badly hurt if they do. **Nutrition** matters too; mitigating **osteoporosis** lowers the risk of fractures.<\/p>\n
**00:39:34 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Back to philosophy\u2014**ikigai** and **pin pin korori**\u2014because we received a lovely email that ties this to technology. **Louise** writes: \u201cI\u2019m enjoying your program as I cook dinner. My husband and I are in our 70s and, with our son, run a mixed farm. I\u2019m taking advantage of technology to finish an online history degree\u2014I started university in the \u201970s, and I\u2019m trying to finish in my 70s.\u201d Dominic?<\/p>\n
**00:40:09 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
That\u2019s awesome. Technology should help us do what we want to do\u2014not only keep us safe but keep us **engaged**. An elderly Japanese gentleman recently told me, while holding his smartphone, \u201cTechnology is there to help me be more human.\u201d His phone had more apps than mine! Any technology that helps us be more human is something people will want to use\u2014we won\u2019t have to push them. Tools that help us pursue our **ambitions in our 70s** will succeed.<\/p>\n
**00:41:39 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Can you share examples of technologies becoming more common in Japan\u2014robots or otherwise?<\/p>\n
**00:41:58 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Japan is strong in **robotics**. You can buy **companion robots** online or in department stores. The cultural concept of **kawaii**\u2014cuteness\u2014matters: these devices (think baby\u2011seal\u2011like robots with big eyes) create an immediate emotional connection. Over time, sensors\u2014now incredibly advanced, including **radar\u2011based vitals**\u2014are integrated. Soon, companion devices will also provide helpful **health information** about the person interacting with them. In Japan, we often start with tech that **touches the heart**\u2014delight first, data second.<\/p>\n
**00:43:33 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
As we approach the end of the show: if you have questions or want to share what aging well looks like for you\u2014or technologies you\u2019ve embraced\u2014call **1\u2011800\u2011716\u20112221** or email **bluesky@cbc.ca**. Thomas, let\u2019s come back to Saskatchewan. What are you working on right now?<\/p>\n
**00:44:10 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
Our biggest project focuses on detecting **pain behaviours** in older adults with **severe dementia** who cannot communicate their pain. Pain can go unrecognized for days, leading to unnecessary suffering. We\u2019re improving a **computer\u2011vision system** that detects pain behaviours during daily routines in long\u2011term care and **alerts nursing staff** when behaviours spike. Staff know this is important, but facilities are often **under\u2011resourced**\u2014they lack time to check as often as needed. This technology brings caregivers **to the right person at the right time**.<\/p>\n
**00:45:27 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Could this also help with staffing shortages in care homes?<\/p>\n
**00:45:42 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the main reason we\u2019re developing it. The technology doesn\u2019t need to be better than humans\u2014just **as good**, consistently. Staff already know about the problem of unrecognized pain, but they don\u2019t have time. When I suggest processes, they ask, \u201cWhat should we stop doing to do this?\u201d They\u2019re strained. Technology can help bridge that gap.<\/p>\n
**00:46:18 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, we\u2019ve been talking about purpose. How do we involve older adults not just as users, but as **co\u2011creators** of this technology?<\/p>\n
**00:46:39 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly our approach in Japan\u2014building **user communities** and getting to know people\u2019s lives and challenges. The question isn\u2019t \u201cWhat tech should we build?\u201d but \u201cWhat bothers you most? What would you like to change?\u201d Then we design to those needs. **User\u2011first** is the only path to success; otherwise, we risk imposing solutions that make sense to younger designers but not to older users.<\/p>\n
**00:47:43 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Thomas, looking ahead\u2014where do you see the intersections of aging and technology heading next?<\/p>\n
**00:48:05 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see deeper **collaboration** between **health professionals** and **engineers\/software technologists**\u2014equal partners developing prevention and care technologies that meet clinical reality and resource constraints.<\/p>\n
**00:48:44 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Dominic, for people who want to learn more, where should they go?<\/p>\n
**00:48:53 Dominic Carter**<\/p>\n
Search **\u201cDominic Carter Japan\u201d** to find my website or LinkedIn.<\/p>\n
**00:49:02 Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos**<\/p>\n
And tonight\u2019s lecture is at the **University of Regina Theatre** in the **Riddell Centre**. It starts at **6:30 p.m.** Dominic will speak for about 40 minutes, followed by Q&A.<\/p>\n
**00:49:19 Theresa Kliem (Host)**<\/p>\n
Perfect. Thank you, Dominic and Thomas. I\u2019ll end with an email from a listener: \u201cOlder people need to socialize and keep active. We have an organization called the **Saskatoon Seniors Fitness Association**. We keep ourselves active and healthy. My subgroup, **Track and Field**, meets at least twice a week to run and walk together.\u201d Thank you for that note, and thanks for listening. I\u2019m **Theresa Kliem** here on *Blue Sky*. Have a great rest of your day. Bye for now.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
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<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>In March I visited Regina to share how Japan\u2014the world\u2019s oldest society\u2014uses technology, design and culture to help older adults live not just longer, but better. While there, I joined CBC Radio One\u2019s Blue Sky with host Theresa Kliem and Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, Director of the Centre on Aging and Health at the University of Regina, for a conversation about what Canada can learn from Japan\u2014and the practical innovations already underway in Saskatchewan. Why look to Japan? Japan faces the realities of advanced aging sooner than most countries (about 30% of the population is 65+). The response isn\u2019t only technological\u2014it\u2019s cultural. Ideas like ikigai (everyday purpose) and pin pin korori (\u201clive long, die short\u201d) encourage people to stay engaged and active right up to the end. That mindset, combined with family involvement and personal responsibility for health, means later entry into institutional care and wider use of everyday tech among older adults. What we discussed on CBC\u2019s Blue Sky Purpose drives adoption. People with strong purpose adopt tech that clearly enables what matters\u2014connection, learning, hobbies, and mobility. The best \u201cage tech\u201d helps us be more human, not merely monitored. Connection […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agetech"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=431"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":496,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431\/revisions\/496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/the-carter-group.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}