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.
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.
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
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.
CVS Health Foundation Invites Community-Based Partnerships
Community-based partnerships can apply to the CVS Health Foundation for monies to strengthen healthcare systems for older adults in 14 eligible states. Applicants must focus on 1. Improving detection and treatment of brain, heart, or mental health conditions, or 2. Increasing positive mental and physical health outcomes for unpaid caregivers. The deadline is August 16, and grant guidelines can be found at the link below.
In with the “Old”
“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.
A Call for Grant Applicants
The BrightFocus Foundation- funding bold ideas for a brighter future- is accepting grant applications for its Alzheimer’s Disease, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma research programs. The foundation will award funds to US domestic and international researchers.
Geritas Spotlights Roctogenarians, a New Book by Mo Rocca
“Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs,” by CBS Sunday morning correspondent Mo Rocca, is a heartening anthology of individuals whose second acts are just as inspiring as their first. Rocca features artists, activists, architects, and athletes, and one actual rock star, Queen guitarist Brian May, who earned his PhD in astrophysics at age 60. The collection also includes cautionary tales about those who fell (some quite hard) from grace in the latter part of their lives. We see you Rudy Giuliani.
Buck Your Preconceived Notions of Aging with the Buck Institute Seminar Series
The Buck Institute’s Live Better Longer Community Seminar Series features monthly conversations (in person and on Zoom) with geroscience experts examine the innovations and interventions extending human healthspan. Next up on July 10th: How Close Are We to Real Treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases?
Movie Focuses on Elder Fraud and Age-Irrelevant Relationships
This week we’re recommending the movie “Thelma,” starring the formidable and delightful 94-year-old June Squibb. Part Mission Impossible, part Harold and Maude, it’s a comedy with something serious to say—about elder fraud and the value of intergenerational connection. Question: Are all badass women named Thelma?
Follow the link below to see Roger Ebert’s review.
Retiring the Notion of Retirement
“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.
Friends with Benefits
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.