Review and Reflection on Dr. Jerome Singleton’s Innovation Infusion Section
Introduction
On November 13th, 2014, Dr. Jerome
Singleton gave a presentation on the topic “Leisure and Aging 2015: Economic
and Social Cost of Exclusion”. He provided the audience with a balanced
combination of theory and practice to explore this topic. He started by
introducing the global perspectives on leisure and aging before focusing on how
leisure services are offered for elders and how they have evolved. His
presentation sparked great discussion on the topic from both faculty members
and students.
Reflection from Faculty
Members
Leisure for Seniors in Training
Dr. Singleton reminded us that we are all seniors in
training and that the success of that training will largely be defined by the
role of leisure in our lives. Leisure can be viewed as a self-defined
experience that can result in improved social, physical, and emotional health
at all stages of the lifespan. He noted that as we transition through different
stages of the lifespan we add and drop leisure activities due to the demands of
a particular stage. For example, for youth and adolescent there are many
structures (e.g., school) that can provide opportunities for a broad leisure
repertoire; however, as we transition into early and middle adulthood, we are
likely to drop the activities that depended on that structure and replace them
with less structured leisure and eventually the leisure of our children.
Dr. Singleton noted that as we age, our leisure
choices might once again be influenced by the structures that exist around us
and are provided for us (e.g., leisure programs at seniors centers and care
facilities). Unfortunately, the options provided are often based upon
assumptions about older adults and thus may not be fulfilling or meaningful to
the participants. Leisure leaders can play a vital role in the successful aging
of our population but to do this we must change the discourse of aging and move
away from our preconceived notions of what it means to be old.
--Aggie Weighill
Don’t Assume I Want to Lawn Bowl.
As I push up the glasses on my nose, it is my first
week of joining the new club, “the permanent glasses club”, I am not quite
ready to embrace the concept yet, but I must admit, I am aging. According
to Singleton, I do not know why I should be so surprised, I have been aging
since the day I was born but somehow it seems to have become very apparent to
me in recent days.
Who knew that as I aged, communities would seek after
me as a commodity and an asset that they see as valuable to enhancing their
community resilience. I am also considered an economic generator,
according to Singleton, and one that communities across the globe are paying
close attention to. The baby boomers’ pocket books, education, health,
community service, civic responsibility, leisure literacy and independence are
all qualities to be valued. However, what is a bigger indicator of our
aging process is our families, our partners and whether or not we have had children.
It is an indicator of how, where and when we will spend our leisure over
the next season of time.
Singleton challenged the students: have you considered
working in this sector? if not, why not and if no, you are missing the greatest
opportunity this next decade will celebrate.
And by the way, ask me if I want to lawn bowl, do not
assume that is my leisure interest, I might be out hiking with my grandkids and
traveling with my spouse!
--Joanne Schroeder
Thoughts from Students
We Need Programs Beneficial for Seniors Now and
Sustainable for the Future.
Population growth projections in BC are predicting
that in 2041 there will be 6 million residents in the province and a third of
them will be over the age of 60 (BC Stats, 2013). This makes Dr. Jerome
Singleton’s presentation extremely important to anyone working in the tourism,
recreation or health field. For me, the biggest takeaway was the discussion
about the economic versus the social benefits. Dr. Singleton discussed how in
the recreation and tourism field we feel the need to justify programs based on
the social benefits, and providing social justice for those who may be
underserved, such as seniors, but this is contradictory to the neoliberal
values of society today. He suggests a new perspective that by justifying
service provision through the economic benefits the social benefits will still
occur. We are all “seniors in training” and it is important to set programs in
place that are going to beneficial to seniors now and sustainable over the
coming year as the number of seniors grows.
-- Caleigh Ellis
An Innovative way to look at the topic of Leisure and
Aging
Dr. Singleton’s lecture on leisure and aging from an
economic perspective was very informative and really interesting. I
particularly liked his way of approaching this important issue in leisure
research in a funny and engaging way that made me think about the topic and the
ways we approach this issue. It was very interesting that he explored the issue
from an economic point of view instead of the usual social standpoint. Dr.
Singleton’s lecture presented the current sustainability issue related to
demographic change in an innovative and very engaging way, which makes it a
great Innovation Infusion.
--Maren Schullerus
The Senior Industry is Worth Our Investment and
Commitment.
On the same day of Dr. Singleton’s presentation, I saw
a news piece about the senior care industry Expo in Hangzhou, East China’s
Zhejiang Province. In the coverage, senior people were experiencing all kinds
of adaptive technologies, such as a wheelchair which can be used to climb
stairs, and motor cars specially designed for the elders. According to the
report, the senior care industry in China has contributed 8% of the country’s
GDP. Estimation is that by 2050, it will ramp up to 33%.
Apparently, seniors are a great economic generator. Just
as Dr. Singleton said, the economic benefit will drive the social benefits. With
these new technologies, senior citizens will get around more conveniently and have
more easy access to leisure activities. They will feel less left behind and
more integrated into society, which enhances social harmony and sustainability.
Even though the remarkable economic growth is good, I am more delighted to see
the increased life quality of elderly people and the increased care about them
from society. The senior industry is an industry with great humanity as well as
economic benefits. It’s worth our investment and commitment. The more we
contribute today, the more we will be given back someday. Remember everyone is
a Senior in Training, according to Dr. Singleton.
--Xinting Liang (Wendy)
Conclusion
Dr. Singleton’s presentation shed light on the topic
of leisure and aging, made us aware of the reality of aging and provided a new perspective
on it -- economic. As the elderly population grows, there will be more products
and service for seniors needed. Seniors should be seen as an asset instead of a
burden for our communities. Dr. Singleton’s passion on this topic reminds us
that society must be more and more aware of the need of sustainable programs
beneficial for seniors.