Now retired for almost 4 years, M.Fortier has a bachelor’s degree in biology and has made a career in the marketing domain. In addition to participating in the core CLSA study since the very beginning, he also participates in the additional studies related to sleep, mobility and brain imaging. At the age of 65, M. Fortier shared with us his vision of aging.
Q: What do you hope the CLSA will accomplish?
I hope the study will help understand the evolution of aging. It is important because we need to understand its impact on healthcare needs and the population in general.
Q: How do you tackle healthy aging? What is your philosophy on aging in a healthy way?
I consider aging to be a question of perception. We create what we think of ourselves and what our vision of aging should be. For example, I live in the “ghetto” of McGill, a hip, lively and active neighbourhood. A lot of young families, professionals and students fill the streets around us. Living in this environment helps keep my spirit young! My philosophy on aging is one thing, but it is the ability to put it into action the is most important. I think we need to live life in the present, not compare ourselves to or think about the past, but really live in the present moment – create memories everyday rather than remembering only the past. It can also help to avoid looking in the mirror. I won’t be as fixated on my wrinkles! It is also important to not have any regrets. These ideas are all related to the fact that we need to make the most of the present moment without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future by comparing ourselves to others.
Q: Why do you believe that it is important to study aging and health?
I think it is important because we need to study how health and aging are related. We need to understand how we can ensure a good quality of life as we age and how we can maintain our independence.
It is also very important to understand the needs related to aging, whether it is the transportation system or housing needs. For example, being a house owner is a big responsibility. What measures are being taken to help seniors transition from homeowners to home renters? All these elements are important contributors to our quality of life. It is important for political decision makers to really understand the needs of the population to make good decisions and promote healthy aging.
To age well, we need to pay attention to them!
Q: As we age, we sometimes need to take care of those closest to us and deal with chronic health problems. Is this something you are experiencing?
I have experience as a care giver. It is not as a physical helper, but as the person responsible for managing finances and daily tasks.
I cannot take all the credit, since my partner is the one that mainly takes on this responsibility. However, I am there as a support. It is a big responsibility, and you need to have a good character. If not, it can impact your own health. It is not for everyone. In our experience, a positive personality and patience helps manage the responsibility in our daily lives. This experience can also be amazing and remind us to enjoy the phase of life we are currently in.
Q: What motivates you to continue to participate in the CLSA?
My education in biology led me to be interested in research and how it can contribute to the health of the population. In fact, throughout my career in marketing, we have studied people, their habits and their values as well as how this information could be turned into successful marketing campaigns. This way of thinking really inspires me and gives me a more analytical perspective on healthy aging. I like to participate in research because I feel I can contribute to something positive for the aging population.
