Angus Hamilton, 94, offers a tip: 'Get off your butt and get moving!'

Five social work students from St. Thomas University have produced a project attempting to prove one thing: aging isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The project, which the students researchedin conjunction with the Atlantic Institute on Aging, is called Silver Linings.

And for student Allyson Picot, the silver liningwas a shift in perspective.

"A lot of people don't look forward to aging," Picot said."But I think now that my view's shifted, it's something that you can look forward to and there's a lot of positive things that have happened with aging."

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The project consisted of interviews with a dozen people between the ages of 60 and 94. Subjects were asked questions about their successes, challenges, physical health and connection with the community, with an eye to changing assumptions that aging is something to be feared.

Lori Shannon and Picot reviewed the 20-minute presentation huddled over their editing station in St. Thomas University's media lab.

One senior Shannon found fascinating was 94-year-old Angus Hamilton.

"He has his own apple orchard, he drives, he was a veteran of [the Second World War]," said Shannon. He has no time for foolishness, and he'll tell you so."

Hamilton's no-nonsense attitude shone through on tape.

"Moaning and groaning are a complete waste of time. If there's one sure thing, 'get off your butt and get moving,'" Hamilton said in a clip used in the project.

I'm not dead, yet

Shannon said she was surprised most by how many things seniors were involved in; from helping people fill out complicated formsand teaching computer skills, to transporting those less able. She said she ended up wondering who would do all the things seniorsdo if they did not step forward.

Allyson Picot said the philosophy of Sandi Jamieson, who was diagnosed with a chronic disease and then helped people with the same disease, affected her.

"It kind of changed her entire view on life," Picot said.

"And she was one of the ones that really, never take things for granted, and [believes that] you can help other people, so she's helped other people through her illness. And I think that was one of the ones that really resonated."

Amanda Weeks learned a lot from the seniors she interviewed.

"Each person reminded me of what it means to truly be happy, healthy and successful none of which come from material goods," said Weeks.

The students will present their video to the seniors who took part on Monday at 3 p.m at the Ville in Marysville.