JoAnn Jenkins, the CEO of AARP has just published a new book, “Disrupt Aging” in which she suggests that it is time to redefine what it means to get older. She encourages us to re-think the negative stories we tell ourselves and each other about aging.
Last year, AARP joined with six other prominent aging organizations to study attitudes about aging. This consortium found that the American public largely sees aging as a process of deterioration, dependency, reduced potential, family dispersal and digital incompetence. These negative attitudes make the process of aging something to be dreaded and fought against, rather than embraced as a process that brings new opportunities and challenges. The negative stories we tell ourselves and one another about aging lead to negative behaviors that, in turn, create a negative reality of aging. Viewing aging as decline then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
JoAnn Jenkins says the opposite can also be true. If we can change the conversation in this country about what it means to get older, we can change the reality. She believes the three most important areas where action is needed for individuals and our society, are health, wealth, and self.
In the health arena, focus should be placed on physical and mental fitness instead of decline. We must work on preventing disease and improving well-being instead of just treating ailments. We need to empower people to become active partners in their health care, instead of passive patients.
As for wealth, it doesn’t mean becoming richer, but it does mean having financial resilience to not outlive your money. An active, engaged, employed older population has the potential to be more of an economic boon to society than a drain on it. Corporations, entrepreneurs and small businesses are already beginning to view the aging population as an opportunity—a growing market for goods and services, a pool of untapped talent and resources, and a driving force behind economic and social creativity.
Finally, we must change the way we view ourselves. We must reject the common notion that aging equals failing and instead look at aging as a process of continuous growth. It is important that we develop a sense of purpose and a positive self-image.
We can’t change attitudes by ourselves alone. We need all parts of society with us. There is a public role for government at all levels, a private role for businesses and organizations, and a personal role and responsibility for each of us, no matter what our age.
We live in an exciting time. Most people turning 50 today can expect to live another 30-plus years. That’s more time than we spent in childhood and adolescence and for many, more time than we spent working. Let’s create a society where all people can grow older knowing they will have access to the care, information, and services they need to lead healthy lives with independence and dignity, where they’ll have the financial resources and opportunities to match their longer life expectancy, and where they’ll be seen as an integral and inspirational asset to society.
Joanne Byrne served as Senior Services Coordinator for the Town of Orange. She is now actively and happily retired. Email her at joannebyrne41@gmail.com to share your thoughts on retirement.