Through Changing Lenses

As we mark five years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Through Changing Lenses invites viewers to reflect on the impact of retirement, old age, aging, and COVID-19 on the social identity of older persons in Ontario, Canada. The photographs and narratives were contributed by participants (aged 70+) residing in Ontario between December 2022 and May 2023 as part of my dissertation project and are accompanied by participant-chosen pseudonyms, ensuring anonymity while honouring each unique voice. By employing photovoice, a method that views photographs as both a storytelling tool and a vehicle for advocacy and social change, participants documented their lived experiences, offering personal insights, reflections and actionable recommendations to social policymakers and future social science researchers.

This installation stands as a call to action to challenge ageist societal sentiments that have gained salience during the pandemic and are increasingly normalized in everyday life and institutional decision-making in ways that perpetuate inequality. Notably, it challenges the shallow caricatures and narratives that depict older persons as fragile, dependent, or a “burden,” instead recognizing their agency and role as critical contributors to the social fabric of society. The photographs, stories, and recommendations shared highlight the resilience, creativity, and challenges experienced by older persons, illuminating the dynamism of later life in Ontario as well as offering tangible pathways to combat ageism and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Hermanpreet Singh BA, MSW
PhD (Graduand)
Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Windsor