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Solutions had the privilege of speaking to Dr. David Suzuki, renowned environmentalist, geneticist, and recent top-10 nominee for CBC’s The Greatest Canadian. Dr. Suzuki is best known for bringing science out of the lab and into the public eye through his tireless message of environmental responsibility. However, behind the public figure is a private family man with strong ideas to share about aging and eldercare. |
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I believe balance exists within human beings as well as the environment. For me, the key to my survival and well-being is my relationship with my family. My wife’s mother and father live in an apartment upstairs in our house. When they retired, I built a special addition and we invited them to live with us. When my parents were alive, they lived only a few blocks away and were constantly at our place. My children have been
unbelievably fortunate to have grown up with both sets of grandparents in the same city and in their lives.
Q: With respect to aging, what are some key advances in our knowledge of genetics, medicine and health that affect how we age?
I really decry the idea that through genetics we are going to find the keys to aging and live to 150. It’s nonsense. We have created a society where it is very difficult for many elders to live much past retirement with a great deal of dignity. I think rather than worrying about lengthening life, we need to focus on the quality of life that our elders are currently living and giving them a meaningful role. Since so many children are without grandparents, I think it would be great to have ways for elders to be “surrogate grandparents,” whether it’s caregiving or teaching them. Elders have a lot of stories to share. When they go to old-age homes, elders end up line dancing or doing jigsaw puzzles. We sometimes treat them like they’re brain dead. They deserve a place in society that gives them meaning, dignity and purpose.
Q: You’ve travelled quite a bit with your work. What differences do you see in how elders are viewed and cared for in different cultures? What can we learn?
In First Nations communities, if you go to any feast or celebration, the elders are like rock stars. They really have a place in the community. The kids respect them, treating them as aunts or uncles. Elders are led to the best seats, they always give the opening prayer, and they are given the first plates of food. They are valued. In traditional societies, elders are revered. I think, by comparison, it’s terrible how we can treat our elders in our society.My background is Japanese and I was raised that, no matter what, you respect elders for their long life, experience and knowledge. When my in-laws were about to move in, I was actually surprised at the pressure I got from friends against having them there. They would say, “Are you sure you want to do that? Isn’t it asking for a lot of work and trouble?” They were very well meaning, but it really brought home that it’s just not what’s done in our society. It’s not considered normal.
Q: Your family was, obviously, a very powerful influence …
My parents used to say “leave some for tomorrow,” “live within your means,” and “help other people.” I think we’ve lost touch with these values, and our elders are the key to reclaiming these values. My father died at 85, and while he was ill, my wife would bring over slides and photos. Each time he would say “What adventure did you bring me today?” We shared stories and memories. We didn’t worry about the closet full of clothes that needed to be sorted or the cars in the garage or the house he was living in. We talked about family and friends and the things that make our live so much richer, not about “stuff.” I think the relentless pursuit of money and things not only impacts our planet a great deal but also helps us lose focus on what is important.
Q: With medical advances come a rapidly growing elder population. What do you foresee for the quality of people’s lives in the future?Each of us is so dependent on the health of the environment, the cleanliness of the air we breathe, and the existence of all the species on this planet with us. I’m concerned about the quality of everybody’s lives in the future. What we can take from elders is what they know about the past and how the environment used to be. I’ve been everywhere—the Amazon, the Serengeti, Papua New Guinea—and it’s universal. Elders have memories of a world that was radically different. My father had memories of incredibly plentiful fishing around Vancouver and that has changed dramatically. Elders are living records of what has happened to the planet and we need to hear from them.
Q: What would you say to someone dealing with an ill spouse or parent for the first time?
It’s a tough full-time job, but you have to muster all the patience, love, compassion and strength that you can. And ask for help wherever it’s available. Find out about people dealing with the same problems and get advice. Find respite care if it’s possible.My mother had Alzheimer disease. I remember coming home and my father was beside her, exhausted and weeping. I would say, “Dad, I have the money, why don’t we get someone in and take some of the pressure off you?“ But he believed with all his heart that because she had spent her entire life caring for him it was time to return the same gift. It was very difficult for him. I think people shouldn’t be too proud to accept help if it’s available.
Q: Do you have any plans for retirement or for your upcoming years?
I have been trying to retire for about 15 years, but my work keeps pulling me back. I have a lot to do. For me, retirement means opening a whole world of other things I want to do. I have actually just acquired a pretty extraordinary, revolutionary microscope. I have built an addition to my cottage on Quadra Island and I’ve built a lab for this microscope. I’d like to study tidal pools. I would like to study Spanish because I’m down in South America so much. Also, I’d like to take courses in geology. There’s so much more to learn.
Q: How do you take care of your own health as you age?
Exercise is my medicine. I’m travelling, working and eating in restaurants or having large home-cooked meals so much, it can be very easy to overeat and get “flabby.” No matter where I go, I try to carve out time at the gym or to do some sort of exercise every day. It’s my salvation.