Dean Linda P. Fried of The Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University (pictured below), argues that the increasing longevity of human life, often perceived as a societal burden, should instead be embraced as a “superpower.” While concerns about aging populations are common, she emphasizes that longer lives are a significant achievement. By challenging harmful myths surrounding aging, such as the assumption of universal decline in health and cognitive function, we can recognize the valuable contributions older adults can make to society.
Older individuals possess unique strengths, including a lifetime of experience, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and a strong desire to give back to their communities. By fostering intergenerational interaction and creating opportunities for older adults to contribute their expertise, society can benefit greatly. For example, older adults can play crucial roles in addressing critical challenges such as climate change, mental health crises, and pandemics. By embracing the potential of an aging population, we can unlock a new era of societal progress and well-being.
VIDEO:
Taking control of this longer lifespan is within reach. Don’t miss our positive aging course, Honest Aging, with Dr. Rosanne M Leipzig, M.D., Ph.D., author of Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life. Dr. Leipzig, in conversation with many patients over four decades, has had the goal of helping people find ways to be creative, resilient and engaged, no matter what decade they are in.