Irene Borins-Ash

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rene Borins Ash - is a social worker, photographer, speaker and author who helps people 50 and beyond develop a healthy attitude towards aging despite life’s difficulties. She earned a M.S.W. at Yeshiva University in New York City in 1987 and she is a Registered Social Worker.

Irene has worked in several health care facilities in Toronto including York Community Services, the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Providence Centre and St. Clair West Services for Seniors. While working, Irene met hundreds of seniors.  Some were depressed, leading painful existences, but others were dynamic, filled with vitality and truly revolutionary in their approach to life.  There were voices to be heard and for Irene, previously being a tapestry weaver for 25 years, turning to the camera to tell those stories and capture the inner essence of each person was a natural progression.  Irene’s first book was entitled “Treasured Legacies:  Older & Still Great” Second Story Press, 2003 and told the stories of people aging well despite life’s difficulties.

Irene’s second book, which is entitled “Aging Is Living: Myth-Breaking Stories From Long Term Care” Dundurn Press, will be available in March, 2009 sponsored by the Ontario Long Term Care Association.  People living in long term care homes are invisible and forgotten members of our society and most of the focus of the media regarding nursing homes is negative. But there is a very real and positive side to life in long term care and the new book will tell the other side of the story.

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