Anthropology, Life Histories, and the Aged: The Toronto Baycrest Centre

Abstract

This article describes and analyzes the accomplishments of a group of aged Jews residing at the Toronto Baycrest Centre, a multilevel geriatric facility. A project that began as an informally planned program to keep the participants socially engaged and active led to the publication of their memoirs, From Our Lives [5], with financial support from the Canadian government. The value of the memoir activity for the group and for the community is outlined. The article concludes with a general discussion of the importance of replicating such activities not only with elderly Jews but also among other groups of elderly persons.