It is difficult to ignore the manner in which the media draw attention to Canada’s changing demographic profile. The anticipated grey tsunami is portrayed as an added expense for family members (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2017) and as straining the budgets of governments (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2015). Alongside such fearful predictions, another message is being put forward, which is that old age need not be dire, as individuals can age successfully. However, older Canadians are told that they must stay healthy if they are to achieve this state. Healthy aging, a pivotal marker of aging successfully, is encouraged by exercise, diet, and keeping mentally alert (see, for example, Health Canada n.d.). Hoping to counter the negative image of older persons, the Ontario government is using television and print advertisements to suggest that one can age with confidence. Tellingly, the word “senior” does not appear in these ads. They provide information to help older people lead a healthy, active, and engaged life (Ontario Ministry of Seniors Affairs n.d.). By implication, individuals who do not act upon these recommendations run the risk of aging badly and ending up as a burden on others and society itself. The government’s approach not only discounts the socio-economic factors and systemic oppressions that affect individuals, it also endorses a certain mode of embodiment—a privileged type of mind-body relationship—and implies that people should be able to exert some control over their bodies.

Lanoix, M. (2020). Dancing in and out of control. In K. Aubrecht, C. Kelly, & C. Rice (Eds.), The aging-disability nexus (pp. 65–82). UBC Press.