It’s Not Just the Quantity, It’s the Quality
A recent study reveals that while life expectancy has increased–thanks in large part to medical advances–it is reaching its limit. Researchers suggest shifting the focus from lifespan to healthspan, with a sharper focus on the biology of aging.
Caring About Caregiving
Health care providers, and other field professionals, recommend five books on caregiving—for the many who find themselves caring for family members, yet have no medical training or experience.
Take a Vacation from Aging? Not Really.
According to new research, travel can provide numerous health benefits, including alleviating chronic stress, and boosting physical exertion and mental engagement. And we’re not talking about time travel! Experts posit that engaging both mind and body is critical to healthy aging and, potentially, delaying age-related decline.
Could ‘Dog Years’ Be Converted into a New Measure of Time to Defy Aging?
A global research initiative called The Dog Aging Project is embarking (pun intended) on a vast health study that brings together dogs and their owners, scientists, veterinarians and others to learn more about factors affecting canine health, longevity, and aging. Read on to learn more about the effort or to see if your dog qualifies for participation.
Advance Planning Is Critical in the Path to Aging Well
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Ben Franklin
According to the New York Times article, “Going Solo: How to Plan for Retirement When You’re on Your Own,” about 60 percent of solo agers— older people without dependable assistance from adult children or other family—have not developed a plan for addressing financial, medical, and estate issues should their health falter. While it can be difficult and emotionally fraught, it is critical to outline a detailed roadmap for decision-making and handling affairs, for so many reasons, including peace of mind. And, this is true for all older folks, not just those living alone. As another quotable icon (Winston Churchill) said, “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.”
#TalkAbout Ageism
Ageism not only impacts older adults, but can have a negative effect on younger folks too, particularly women. Check out how @asaging is raising awareness of the ways age-focused bias can compromise mental and physical health, financial security, and personal interactions, and what you can do about it.
Better Living Through Chemistry
Can a magic pill render age and aging irrelevant? The New York Times reports that Rapamycin, prescribed to organ transplant patients to suppress their immune systems, is now being explored by a much broader group for the purpose of extending healthy years and delaying age-related diseases. Health advocate and anti-aging influencer Dr. Peter Attia is one of the champions for the substance being hailed as the “gold standard” for extending life.
Glass Ceilings, Walls, and Floors
The Stanford Center on Longevity is taking a year-long, deep dive into the impacts of living in an ageist society, as well as potential solutions and innovations. The project’s second webinar, “Ageism & Women,” discusses gendered ageism and how it undermines women’s careers, health, societal dynamics, and everyday lives. To register for the October 8th program, click the link below.
The ABCs of DNRs
What Does DNR Stand For? In theory, DNR means Do Not Resuscitate, and is a medical order stating that CPR, and other resuscitative measures, should not be performed. But in reality, it is not that simple. When it comes to end-of-life decisions, there are gray areas, family dynamics, and medical miscalculations.
Ageism’s Roots Run Deep
The Stanford Center on Longevity is taking a year-long, deep dive into the impacts of living in an ageist society, as well as potential solutions and innovations. The project kicks off with the September 26th webinar, “How Ageism Affects Our Lives,” which examines the deep roots of ageism in the U.S., and its influence across work, healthcare, and community. To register for the program, click the link below.
The Brilliance of Jean Smart
All hail Jean Smart. At the 2024 Emmys, the inimitable and talented, and sexy 73-year-old Smart won “Lead Actress in a Comedy Series” for her role as the inimitable, talented, and sexy 70-something-year-old Deborah Vance on “Hacks.” In the third season of the show, Vance pursues her dream job—host of a late-night talk show, and Variety writes, “This sets up an astoundingly rare situation for a television comedy – a female character over 70 aggressively and strategically going after a traditionally male-identified and very public position.”
The Wrinkle in How We Discuss Aging
We wholeheartedly agree the term “anti-aging” has outlived its merit, exacerbating our culture’s unhealthy and unacceptable embrace of ageism. One wrinkle: we also support— conceptually and literally— the beauty industry. Read Next Avenue’s article to better understand the multiple issues, viewpoints, and contradictions inherent in wanting to improve one’s appearance, while not appearing ageist.
The Complexity and Empowerment of Deciding When It’s Time to Go
Finding peace in controlling your own destiny can be powerful. But when it comes to choosing when and how to die, not everyone has the privilege of making those choices . In his short documentary for the New York Times, Guillermo F. Flórez focuses on an 86-year-old woman in Spain who is ready to leave, while those around her struggle to understand.
These Aren’t Your Father’s Grandparents
Forget babysitting or spoiling the grandkids, today’s grandmas and grandpas are forging a different path: joining their young descendants in embracing adventure travel. As older adults are increasingly fitter, and for longer periods of time, they’re bonding with their grandchildren while trekking, hiking, and scuba diving.
Are Aging Bursts the New Growth Spurts?
Everyone is familiar with the concept of growth spurts – short periods of rapid physical growth among maturing children and adolescents. Interestingly, Stanford University recently identified another kind of swift corporeal change common to humans – the aging burst. Research found that aging is not, in fact, a gradual process. Rather, older adults experience accelerated maturation cycles at two distinct times, typically occurring at 44 and 60 years of age.
Teaching Communities How to Address the Loneliness Epidemic
The U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation an urgent public health concern, noting it impacts half of all American adults, with younger and older cohorts experiencing the most severe effects. The nonprofit, CoGenerate, is offering an innovators’ program designed to teach communities how to bring the two age groups together to bridge the loneliness gap. Apply to be part of the free, 5-week learning experience (applications due September 6).
Negotiator in Chief Lands Lower Costs for Senior Drugs
In addition to successfully negotiating the recent release of hostages unlawfully held in Russia, the Biden administration completed an unprecedented agreement to lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. NPR reports that the first tranche of negotiated medications include crucial diabetes, cancer, blood clot, and arthritis treatments. The expected savings to taxpayers and Medicare will total billions.
A Horror Movie About Ageism in the Workplace–And No, It’s Not a Documentary
A new movie focused on ageism in the workplace melds sci-fi and horror as protagonist Demi Moore pursues cloning science to create a younger and more perfect version of herself. Covered by The Hollywood Reporter, the film also stars Randy Quaid and is directed by Cannes Award-winner Coralie Fargeat.
Eat Your Way to Extra Years
Buck your preconceived notions of aging with the Buck Institute’s Live Better Longer Community Seminar Series. The monthly conversations with geroscience experts examine the innovations and interventions extending human healthspan. Next up: Eat Your Way to Extra Years: Nutrition and Healthy Aging, September 4.
With Age Comes Wisdom–For Real
However, studies show that aging and cognitive decline are not necessarily synonymous. In fact, mature adults tend to gain greater leadership qualities. Spotlighting several studies, Fortune reports on key advantages older people have over those years younger, including broadened and more reasoned perspective and even resiliency. Case in point: One study of 1,000 people aged 18–76, revealed that during the early days of the pandemic, older adults reported more resilience than younger people.