Dr. David Suzuki talks with Irene Borins Ash as she cuts the ribbon to launch the Aging Is Living - A New Perspective exhibit during last year's OLTCA/ORCA convention and trade show. The exhibit will be at Ryerson University May 1 - 15. (Photo credit: Irvin Rubincam)
Photography and text exhibit celebrates long-term care
Irene Borins Ash hopes to challenge perceptions on aging
Monday April 14, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
Irene Borins Ash says a meeting with resident Ann Seaton is the inspiration for her upcoming photography and text exhibit.

“Because of her the light went on,” recalls Borins Ash whose exhibit, Aging is Living, A New Perspective, showcases the positive side of long-term care.

Borins Ash first met Seaton while collecting work for an earlier photo and text exhibit on positive aging.

She had wanted to include a perspective from someone living in long-term care and visited Seaton who was living at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto.

Seaton said her time at the home was "some of the best years of her life," and although she was confined to a scooter, with the help of Wheel Trans she was able to continue leading an active life as she had done before.

Having worked with seniors her entire career, Borins Ash was intrigued by Seaton’s outlook.

Stories like Seaton’s contradicted mainstream media and the public's conception of age which, Borins Ash believed, deserved more attention.

Borins Ash first began to question healthy aging while working as a social worker and visiting seniors in their their homes.

She says experiencing seniors that were joyous and seniors that were depressed lead her to question what factors lead to positive aging. 

Also a trained tapestry artist, Borins Ash says pictures have always helped her convey ideas. She began taking photographs of senior citizens in hopes of displaying the creativity and courage they possessed. 

Borins Ash’s experience with Ann compelled her to create a new photography and text exhibit about aging in long-term care, which she presented to Gilbert Heffern at the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA). Heffern, director of communications and public affairs, was impressed with Borins Ash’s earlier work and thought the project was a great idea.

Borins Ash travelled across the province, meeting and interviewing a diverse range of residents living in homes.

The result is an exhibit featuring poetry, art, photographs and testimony of writers, painters and musicians pursuing their dreams while living in long-term care.

Borins Ash says the supportive environment of long-term care can help foster creativity and that she met many inspirational residents.

She hopes the project will raise awareness about the realities of long-term care and take away the fear of aging.

The exhibit, co-sponsored by the OLTCA will be on display at Ryerson University from May 1-15.

To see Irene’s work or to learn more about the upcoming exhibit, visit www.ireneborinsash.com.

Seaton was highlighted in Borins Ash's first book, Treasured Legacies — Older and Still Great, published by Second Story Press 2003.

A second book showcasing the 25 seniors who are part of the exhibit and their personal and family decisions to enter long-term care will be published by The Dundurn Group early this fall.

Do you know of a resident who shares Seaton’s positive outlook on long-term care? To share your story, contact the newsroom at (800) 294-0051.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at (800) 294-0051 or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca