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.

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.

“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.” 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 lot has been said about age in the past few months with a harsh spotlight cast on President Biden. The prevailing theme is that assumed age-related decline is worse than assumed criminal record.

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.

“A rose is a rose is a rose,” wrote author Gertrude Stein in her 1913 poem, “Sacred Emily.” Her point: It is as it appears. Any word can be substituted for “rose” and the construct will hold true. Just as, old is old is old. It is what it is. Period. Yet, our ageist society has essentially banished the word from common parlance.

“The Unstoppables” is a New York Times series on prominent creative people over the age of 75 who continue to pursue excellence. Read what Giorgio Armani, Paul Theroux, Lauren Hutton, and others have to say about what inspires them to work at an age when others are content with gardening and golf.

No, not that kind. The kind that comes with multi-generational insights, shared experiences, and humor. The New York Times reports on the mutually positive effects and surprising benefits that can arise when youngsters and oldsters hang out and cultivate friendship.

In a new film about endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, we meet a woman who sees the last half of her life looming large and vows to reject all the customary beliefs and limitations. As The San Francisco Chronicle reports, “…This movie is very much and quite consciously about something more universal, namely what it’s like to be in one’s 60s. It’s a weird time of life: You feel good. You feel like your old self, but you know that something could easily go wrong…”

Plot twist: The Wall Street Journal reports that consumers age 65+ are the economy’s silver bullet.

We salute efforts to support ageism awareness. However, it seems that setting aside one day is not nearly enough.

Barbie movie is more than just a romp in a bubble-gum colored fantasyland. In one of the most profound - and pro-aging - onscreen moments, Barbie turns to an elderly woman at a bus-stop bench and tells her she’s beautiful. The woman replies, “I know.” Greta Gerwig talks to Variety about why this scene is the heart of the movie.

Forbes recently released its 2023 "50 Over 50" list, sharing inspiring stories of women who have made significant strides, personally and professionally, later in life.

It takes a village, as we all know, but what does that village look like for those suffering from dementia? The New York Times reports on ‘dementia villages,’ which are becoming the future of home care, offering multi-dimensional services and care.

One secret: Generations don’t have to be separated by gaps. The New York Times reports that with good communication, wisdom and insights can flow reciprocally from young to old.