Turning Pro
In my role as director of Osher at Towson University, I think about aging more than the average person. Our members range in age from 50 to 102, representing several generations. Even though I know many older adults, I’m hard-pressed to guess anybody’s age correctly. In “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism,” Ashton Applewhite writes, “Line up a random bunch of seventy-year-olds and it’ll be hard to believe they share a birth year.” I think that is true, even if there are well-worn stereotypes of how a 60, 70, 80 or 90+ person looks and behaves. Let’s face it, our society values youth and so often we fear aging. It shows up in comments we make to ourselves and others. In a recent meeting, a colleague said, “don’t get old,” when he lost his thought mid-sentence. We internalize derogatory feelings about aging. There is a huge anti-aging industry relying on us feeling bad about the physical aspects of growing older. There are lotions, creams and dietary supplements for every wrinkle or gray hair out there. Yet studies show that adults over the age of 60 are more content than in their earlier years. Greater self-assurance, new perspectives, strong relationships and the ability to adapt are all factors making that possible. If anyone needs to have positive role models for aging well, I direct them to our Osher members — staying physically and mentally engaged has paid off! But, if you ever hear your inner voice making disparaging remarks about growing older, consider that studies from both Yale and Harvard found that a positive outlook on aging can increase one’s lifespan by up to 7.5 years. What a great reason to be pro-aging!
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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