Ronni Bennett

There’s such a disconnect between our own experience of aging and the way it’s portrayed in literature and media. Most of what we read about aging is written by younger people, and it’s all about disease and decline. So back in 2003 Ronni Bennett, a retired radio and television producer, decided to launch a blog where she could explore what it’s really like to get old. For seventeen years, her Time Goes By blog was the place to go for articulate, honest, insightful discussion of the experiences and issues we face as we age. With grace, humour, compassion and uncommon candor, she covered it all: ageism, health, politics, culture, caregiving, relationships. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and COPD, she took us with her on her journey, working through all her challenges and dilemmas with a clear eye and no self-pity. Ronni Bennett was a role model of integrity and intellectual honesty. When she passed away on October 30, 2020, she left behind a huge community of bereft readers. There’s a gaping hole in our lives now where Ronni Bennett’s blog used to be.

We’re accustomed to hearing other people speak for seniors, for better or worse: healthcare professionals, gerontologists, caregivers, journalists, adult children. It’s only recently that we seniors have begun speaking for ourselves. Blogs can be an ideal vehicle for this: an accessible, easy-to-use tool that lets us voice our opinions, combat ageism, share experiences and build community. But so far, seniors are not making good use of blogs. The internet is awash in blogs, but fewer than 1% of all bloggers are aged 65 and over. As for the elderblogs that are out there, what are they like? Well, a slew of them dish out tips on fashion, travel, anti-aging products, reverse mortgages, investment advice and the like, the same old stuff over and over. Many of these blogs are set up to generate revenue and treat seniors as consumers. Then there’s another large group that are like diaries: people sharing their day-to-day lives, with plenty of detail about family events, aches and pains, gardening, traveling, political views, dealing with the pandemic. Lots of pictures of grandchildren and pets. These can be pleasant and entertaining, sort of like chatting with a neighbour. But mostly we discover that other people’s lives are just as boring as our own.

It’s so important to hear strong senior voices speaking for ourselves about the issues affecting us, with insight, wisdom and compassion. Where are those voices?