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Did you know that seniors are the largest and fastest growing segment of Internet users looking for romance or companionship online? Or that 85 per cent of older adults believe sex is an important part of their lives and is not just for younger people? Yet, sexuality and aging has been a topic that seniors and health-care professionals don't often discuss openly.

To break the silence, leading researchers, educators, policy makers and health-care providers will explore the topic of sexuality and aging at a one-day symposium on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Grand Richmond Ballroom, 600 Highway 7 East, Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Panelists will present research findings on older adults' sexual health and well-being, discuss seniors' sexuality and aging educational best practices for long-term care providers, and talk about the challenges of creating social programs such as speed dating services to help seniors find new romantic partners.

Ryerson University Professor Janet Lum, co-chair of the Canadian Research Network for Care in the Community, will present an overview of sexuality and aging. Other panelists include:

* Merryn Gott, Chair, University of Auckland's School of Nursing, New Zealand; 
* Michael Bauer, Lecturer, La Trobe University's Division of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia;
* Bill Ryan, Adjunct Professor, McGill University's Department of Social Work, Canada;
* Peggy Brick, Author and Educator, Consortium of Sexuality and Aging, United States;
* Devan Nambiar, Education Coordinator, Rainbow Health Ontario, Canada;
* Michele Cauch, Community and Corporate Development Officer, St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre, and Founder, SageHealth Network, Canada.

For a full agenda and speaker line-up, visit: http://www.ryerson.ca/crncc/sexualityandaging.html

The symposium is organized by the Canadian Research Network for Care in the Community (CRNCC) based at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, in partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association. CRNCC is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Ryerson University.

Note: Professor Janet Lum and CRNCC manager Quest Atkinson, as well as some panelists, are available for media interviews prior and during the symposium.

WHAT:	Keep on Rockin': Sexuality and Aging symposium
WHEN:	Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE:	Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Grand Richmond Ballroom
	600 Highway 7 East
	Richmond Hill, Ontario

MEDIA CONTACT:

Suelan Toye
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x 7161
stoye@ryerson.ca