Fighting Ageism at Any Age
Elderspeak–talking in a condescending or other demeaning manner to older adults–is one of the many prevalent ways ageism is manifested. And sometimes it happens well before senior citizenship. As NPR notes, pushing back against ageist comments in all forms, including those directed internally, is one key to a longer, healthier life.
Golden Roadies
While the music industry may skew young, there’s one sector of the profession that’s a surprising exception. Many of the industry’s most valued roadies, including equipment and sound technicians, are well into their golden years (despite the long hours and physical demands.) Read about how some of music’s most legendary artists depend on these experienced employees to keep them rocking and rolling all night.
A Moving Movie About Age-Related Dementia
The documentary film, “Keys Bags Names Words” (the things Alzheimer’s patients lose most often), examines the disease from multiple perspectives, including exploring positive approaches to caring for, and connecting with, those affected. Visit the film’s website to find out about upcoming screenings, or to schedule one of your own.
The Vitalizing Effects of Volunteering
In addition to serving your community, new research found that volunteering can serve you, as well! Even giving your time for just one hour a week can contribute to a longer, healthier life. Experts noted that volunteering supports physical, social, and psychological benefits, resulting in a positive impact on biological aging. Follow the link below to Health.com to read more about the benefits of helping others.
The Science and Impact of Aging Ovaries
Join the Buck Institute–in person or via Zoom–on February 5th as Dr. Jennifer Garrison, PhD delves into the how and why of human ovaries, which age faster than other organs in women’s bodies and are key to lifelong health. Follow the link below to register for the event at the Buck Institute.
Can Driving a Taxi Tax Your Brain?
In a word: Yes! It turns out driving a taxi can tax your brain—but in a good way. Recent research found that U.S. taxi (and ambulance) drivers had the lowest incidence of death due to Alzheimer’s disease among the more than 400 occupations included in the study. Researchers attributed this to drivers’ use of complex cognitive skills to navigate trips (most participants worked prior to today’s ubiquitous reliance on GPS). Whether solving spatial challenges, or engaging in other decision-based activities such as chess, stimulating your brain can be key to brain health.
Follow the link below to The Wall Street Journal to learn more.
Encore Network Explores the Year Ahead for Older Workers
The Encore Network presents “Trendspotting: The Outlook for Older Workers in 2025,” a virtual program to be held January 15th from 9-10am PST. Join a panel of experts to learn about the trends, issues, and innovations impacting the economic landscape and job market for older adults. Follow the link below to Encore Network for more details.
Older Actors and Creators Win Big at Golden Globes
More than a third of the awards given out at the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5, went to individuals over the age of 50.
The oldest to bring home an award: Jean Smart, 73, known as the sassy and savvy Deborah Vance in Hacks, won for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy.
Demi Moore, 62, who spoke of the double challenge of aging as female, won for Best Actress, Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, for her role in The Substance. In her acceptance speech, Moore talked of having been “doing this” for more than 45 years without winning anything. She also talked about a producer telling her 30 years ago that she was “a popcorn actress,” a comment that she says corroded her over time, leading to a crisis in confidence that nearly convinced her to put herself out to pasture a few years ago. Until a certain script found her. Follow the link below to hear her acceptance speech.
Envisioning a Less Ageist Society
The Stanford Center on Longevity will host Century Summit V, January 22-23, 2025, with limited in-person attendance at Stanford and a virtual audience around the world. The conference will focus on challenging ageism and creating a positive intergenerational society. Attendance is free, and more information, along with the registration link, can be found by following the link below.
Centenarian In Chief
Former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th, was 100 years old–a milestone age not achieved by just anyone. To look at the lynchpins of his long and active life, Fortune spotlights Carter’s three strategies for longevity. Read on to see how fitness, love, and community factored in.
Brain Health: The Benefits of Learning How to Play Music
For many kids, learning how to play an instrument is a key part of their formative years. Not only does it help with brain development, it also helps elevate moods and reduce stress. For older adults who pick up an instrument, the list of benefits expands, including the possibility of reduced risk of dementia. Read more at The Atlantic.
Can Do at 102
We recently had the privilege of visiting Rancho La Puerta in Baja California, MX, and attended a Q&A with its 102-year-old founder, Deborah Szekely. What an amazing life she’s led, from founding the wellness retreat and spa in 1940, to establishing San Diego’s New Americans Museum and Immigration Learning Center at age 80. Her advice for staying healthy and engaged? Maintain an active social network, be positive, and just move (she still walks one mile every day)! Read more about Deborah’s remarkable story in this Fortune interview.
The Dick Van Dyke Show Lives On
To honor Dick Van Dyke’s 99th birthday, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invited the actor and comedian to join him in recording a music video of the band’s song, “All My Love.” In the 7-minute version, Van Dyke sings, dances, and shares poignant memories of his decades-long career. Happy Birthday Mr. Van Dyke, and congratulations on this cool, co-generational collaboration!
Follow the link below to watch.
Meet Beatriz Coll
Once an avant-garde punk rocker in London, then a commercial architectural photographer, and later a pediatric nurse. Bea Coll lived a lot of life before retiring to Asheville, North Carolina where she now focuses on her art, quantum physics, and becoming a death doula.
The Long and Winding Road
Might we take a different route if we knew we’d live to be 100? According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half a million Americans are expected to live to at least 100 years of age by 2050—that’s quadruple the current number of centenarians. Laura Carstensen, founder of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity, suggests we need to rethink our traditional pathways to optimize this new-found longevity. For example, she suggests making childhood longer, or working less while rearing children and more later in life instead of retiring. Read on for more innovative ideas.
Spotlight on: “The Later Daters”
Michelle Obama’s new docuseries follows six older adults, ages 56 to 71, as they wade back into the dating pool. Helping them stay afloat are their children, close friends, and a relationship expert. Does dating get easier as one ages? No, but there can be some unexpected rewards. Streaming now on Netflix.
Pragmatism + Optimism = 102 and Still Going Strong
Meet Hilda Jaffe, 102, who defies age and is the veritable embodiment of a ‘superager.’ As the Washington Post reports, at age 88, Jaffe decided to turn the page and start a new chapter, selling her home in New Jersey and moving to Manhattan, taking up residence in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. More than a decade later, she is still actively enjoying the easy walks to grocery stores, seeing opera, and living independently in the city that never sleeps. According to Sofiya Milman, director of human longevity studies at the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, superagers typically have a very positive outlook on life, with built-in resilience. Read on to learn more about Jaffe’s approach to life and what studies of other superagers reveal.
A More Resilient Brain and the Science of Longevity
It’s not too late to register for the Buck Institute’s December 11th Seminar on Aging. Tickets are still available for joining via Zoom. And, while you’re at their site, you can also get a leg up on January’s seminar.
First up, this Wednesday, Tara Tracy, PhD, will be highlighting how clearing a toxic protein in the brain can help promote the resilience of synapses, which send information between neurons. Already successful with restoring memory in mice, her focus offers great promise.
Kicking off the new year, Eric Verdin, MD, will lead a talk centered around the evolving science of longevity, parsing out what is fact versus fiction. That seminar will take place January 8, 2025.
You Know “the talk” You’re Dreading? It’s Time.
According to a study by VITAS Healthcare, only 22% of the U.S. population has an end-of-life plan in place. While American culture treats death as a taboo subject, it’s an inevitability for all of us. Discussing and documenting decisions around dying can strengthen familial relationships, and is a gift to loved ones. Read about how to take the first steps in initiating this important talk.
A New Vision for a Less Ageist Society
Join the Stanford Center on Longevity for Century Summit V taking place January 22-23, 2025, in person at Stanford University, and online via a virtual platform. The conference will focus on the challenges of ageism, and the importance of bringing generations together to create a more inclusive society. Guest speakers include Anne Lamott, Louise Aronson, and Ashton Applewhite. The conference is free of charge, but in-person attendance is by invitation or application only. Follow the link below to learn more.