Organizers promise an enjoyable and informative experience on June 5 at Collège Boréal for people in their prime who are interested in making the most of their retirement years.
A Pathway to Aging and Well-being is an event being organized by the Sudbury/Manitoulin chapter of the Retired Teachers of Ontario/Les enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l'Ontario, which is best known by the acronym RTOERO.
The morning and afternoon sessions are not just for retired educators. Space is limited and anyone can register to attend, said Evelyn Dutrisac, a member of the organizing committee and political advocacy co-ordinator.
Dutrisac, a former city councillor who represented Ward 4, said she is thrilled Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge, a national seniors’ advocacy organization, has agreed to be one of the presenters.
Watts, a board member of Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, is the author of "Let's Talk About Aging Parents: A Real-Life Guide to Solving Problems with 27 Essential Conversation."
She is also a member of PACE Independent Living, a housing and services non-profit which provides care to persons with physical disabilities.
Affordable housing, independent living and finding ways for seniors to stay in their own homes are some of the issues that will be discussed, said Dutrisac.
She expects animated discussions about other issues such as mental health, loneliness and isolation, addictions, discrimination against seniors, medical-assisted death and affordable burials.
Joining Watts on the panel of guest speakers will be Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, the medical director of North East Specialized Geriatric Centre, Barbara Nott, the chair of the city's Seniors Advisory Panel, and David Pearson, senior science advisor for Science North.
There are about 35,000 people 65 or older living in the City of Greater Sudbury, which is about 20 per cent of the population.
"We advocate for active living as we age," said Juliette Lavoie-Gaboury, the media relations contact for RTOERO District 4.
"Established in 1968, District 4 has 1,700 members. Two years ago, we allowed other people to join our organization. We have opened membership up to university and college teachers and anyone who worked in education such as secretaries or school bus drivers.”
RTOERO has evolved into a national organization with 85,000 members. Working educators and family members can also apply for membership.
"We are community-minded and we want to ensure the quality of life for our members and for all older adults in the community," added Dutrisac who got actively involved in RTOERO after the death of her husband a couple of years ago.
Member perks include access to an extended health insurance which pays for expenses not usually covered by government health insurance plans and travel health coverage.
"These are not-for-profit plans so the prices are lower and that's why so many people join,” said Lavoie-Gaboury.
Members receive the RTOERO magazine quarterly, district newsletters and invitations to special events and seminars.
At the annual general meeting at the Caruso Club on May 21, retired educator and community leader Joe Drago was honoured by District 4 with its highest award, named for the late Guill Archambault, a former chapter president.
"He was honoured for his work with Hockey Canada and the arts in Sudbury," said Lavoie-Gaboury.
At that same gathering, community volunteers were lauded for their contributions and the local Parkinson's disease support group received a donation.
The national RTOERO office in Toronto allocates grants of $4,000 for community projects, and the local chapter has received these grants several times.
One grant was used to develop the Keeping Seniors Warm project, a clothing collection program that is now administered throughout northeastern Ontario by United Way.
District 4 is using another RTOERO grant for its memory mapping project. Ten educators were invited to share their life experiences. These interviews were recorded and edited into 15-minute features. Excerpts will be shared at the June 5 event and longer versions will air on Eastlink in the fall.
RTOERO is a bilingual organization but the Pathway sessions, which run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be held in English. Attendees will be offered light breakfast and lunch. There is free parking available.
Registration is $20 for members and $30 for non members.
For more information, send an email to [email protected] or visit the RTOERO District 4 website.
Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer. Prime is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
