Zoomer Week In Review

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. How can University music students and retirement home residents live a mutually beneficial, harmonious life together? Bob finds out from Heather Gingerich, the designer of an exciting, new program that aims to do just that! And – The criteria required for Doctors to help their suffering patients end their lives was questioned in court recently. Bob talks with Shanaaz Gokool, CEO of Dying with Dignity, about this landmark case, and how it will affect future decisions.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. The Royal family continues to be a source of fascination and fodder, which is part of the reason why Queen Elizabeth and her newly retired husband, Prince Philip grace the current cover of Zoomer magazine. Bob talks with Deputy Editor of Zoomer Magazine, Kim Izzo to get the inside scoop about the Royals. And – A Solar eclipse came to North America, where for a short time the sun will disappear. In fact, all of North America will be able to see a partial eclipse! Bob talks to astronomer and York University professor Paul Delaney to learn some fascinating facts about this phenomenon.

Does your waist measure more than half your height? A new study says this measure is more important than what the scale says and they’ve coined a new word to describe it: “overfat.” To find out what it means for us, Libby talked to obesity specialist Dr. Sean Wharton, Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic in Burlington, Ontario. And – Jack Rabinovitch, businessman, philanthropist, founder of the Giller Prize, passed away recently. Libby talked about him and his legacy with his long-time friend, cartoonist Terry Mosher, who draws under the pen name Aislin.

A recent State Farm survey singling out older drivers as a danger has sparked a storm of criticism. Libby is joined by CARP’s VP Advocacy Wanda Morris to talk about it. And – A recently released 2016 StatsCan census revealed that for the first time in Canada, single-person households have become the most common living arrangement. The trend, like all the other key changes in the way we live was driven by Zoomers. Libby talks to Laurent Martel, Director of the demography division at Statistics Canada.

Ontario’s College of Nurses has just revoked Elizabeth Wettlaufer’s license even though she is already serving a life sentence for murdering eight patients. But could they have acted sooner to prevent the tragedy? Libby talks to Jane Meadus of the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly. And – 35% of all dementia cases can be prevented by following some simple rules about the way we live. That was a headline in a recent landmark study in The Lancet. But neurologist Dr. Antoine Hakim was ahead of the curve. He joins Libby to talk about his new book Save Your Mind.

What does it mean to be Black in the GTA? The answers are in a new landmark survey called the Black Experience Project. Libby talks to the project’s Director of Outreach and Engagement, Marva Wisdom. Plus – Are you trying to watch your weight by drinking diet drinks or using a sugar substitute in your coffee? A new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal finds that it may actually lead to weight gain! Libby is joined by Dr. Meghan Azad from the University of Manitoba.

Are you being sent for an ECG heart test as part of your annual physical? A new study says many of these tests are completely unnecessary. Libby gets all the details from the study’s lead author Sacha Bhatia, Director of the Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV) at Women’s College Hospital. And – The Bank of Canada has raised interest rates for the first time in 7 years. Does that mean we should make changes in our portfolios? Author and Investment Advisor Gordon Pape joins Libby to talk about how this will affect you.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Ontario’s assisted dying law is supposed to improve access for grievously ill patients while easing the moral burden on physicians who object to referring patients for assisted death. But is it working? Dr. James Downar, from Dying with Dignity Canada, the University Health Network, and Sinai Health System, joins Bob to talk about it. And – Libby has talked about home co-ownership on this show before, but what if there was an easier way to find someone to co-own your home with? Bob talks to Lesli Gaynor, a real estate agent who has a unique way to make that happen.

Is there a connection between grilling meat on the barbecue and cancer? Dr. Vikki Ho from the Université de Montréal joins Libby to talk about it. And – How much did that Canada Day party you threw set you back? That’s the starting point for a TD study that compares Canada 150 to our centennial back in 1967. TD Senior Economist Brian DePratto joins Libby to explain.

In this episode of The Zoomer Week in Review, host Libby Znaimer talks about the shocking statistic – 1 in every 2 Canadians will get cancer in their lifetime.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer While banks may be telling us that they have our best interests in mind, their employees are spinning a different tune. Bob talks about it with Wanda Morris, the VP Advocacy of CARP, and member of the Ontario Securities Commission Seniors Expert Advisory Committee. And – June is World Elder Abuse Awareness month. Bob talks with Rochella Vassell from Elder Abuse Ontario, about what they’re doing to recognize this very important issue.

What would the Canadian National Anthem sound like in Yiddish? We made it a sesquicentennial project to find out. And – The author of an unexpected best-selling book about your stomach is coming to ideacity this year. Giulia Enders joins Libby to give a sneak preview of her talk about gut health and awareness.

What is the future of food? Libby talks with Dr. Irwin Adam ahead of his ideacity appearance to find out.

He’s best known for his iconic role in MASH. But Actor Alan Alda’s lifework is communicating science! Libby talks to him about his new book “If I Understood you, would I have this look on my face?” ahead of his ideacity appearance in mid-June.

It’s difficult to diagnose and can be hard to treat. Libby talks to Dr. Vett Lloyd of Mt Allison University about how you can protect yourself from Lyme Disease this season. And – What is the future of food? Libby talks with Dr. Irwin Adam ahead of his ideacity appearance to find out.

It’s not rare to see patients lying on gurneys in hallways and closets, waiting to be seen by hospital physicians. In fact, it’s become the norm. Libby talks to Ontario Medical Association President Elect Nadia Alam to get her take on the matter. And – He’s best known for his iconic role in MASH. But Actor Alan Alda’s lifework is communicating science! Libby talks to him about his new book “If I Understood you, would I have this look on my face?” ahead of his ideacity appearance in mid-June.

Libby continues her interview from last episode with Toronto City Councillor Norm Kelly. He’s had a very successful career, but why has his popularity soared now that he’s in his 70’s? Libby finds out. And – Globe and Mail columnist Andre Picard has released a new book on the state of health care in this country – It’s called “Matters of Life and Death: Public Health Issues in Canada”. Libby sat down with him to find out all about it.

City Councillor Norm Kelly is likely best known for his reputation as the ‘six dad’ for his fervent advocacy on behalf of the city of Toronto, both on social media, and in real life…and he’s lending his credibility to promote the upcoming Becel Ride for Heart. Libby talks with him to find out more. And – May marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania. Kim Izzo has written the historical fiction, 7 Days in May, that follows the lives of four people, all of whom have connections to the fateful trip of the RMS Lusitania in 1917. Libby talks to her about her personal connection to the tragedy, and about her inspiration to write the book.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Stats Canada released new statistics this week, showing that there are more adults 65-plus in this country, than there are children under the age of 16. Bob talks with generational author Peter Shurman to learn more. And – The Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto is gearing up for its annual fundraising walk. Bob is joined by CEO, Cathy Barrick, to find out all the details.

New information has come to light about what the allies knew regarding Nazi Death Camps and when they knew it. Libby finds out all the details for Dan Plesch, the British historian who unearthed the information. And – In a world full of distractions, have we lost the ability to be alone? Libby talks with award winning author Michael Harris about his new book, “Solitude A Singular Life in a Crowded World.