This past month, I thought I finished reading the Fall 2010 Issue of the Journal of the American Society on Aging. Technically, I did, I suppose, but I have to keep it within arms reach… to support my latest conversation, or latest grant writing, or latest blog post…
The issue’s focus is on “The Future of Aging”, I have enjoyed it partly because it is supportive of some of my ideas, and partly because it has succeeded in stimulating me to further thinking about senior advocacy and community responsibility.
We can’t change it, “the only age group that will grow substantially over the next several decades will be those older than 60…” (Richard Adler) Since we can’t change it, what are we going to do about it? Most communities aren’t prepared.
I have to agree with several of the featured authors in the journal. The answer is not in planned retirement communities…everyone ages at once and they can’t help each other. A more successful model rests in what is called Lifestyle Management. Neighborhoods of young and old. I recently spoke to a widow living in a condo complex. There are 6 widows there, but there are also several young men, families, and middle aged couples. One of the young men cleared off several of the widows balconies after the blizzard of 2011. Who would have done this if the whole complex was made up of the elderly?
Faith in Action is a group of community minded volunteers who “clear the balcony” in neighborhoods all of the county. Civic responsibility, civic careers, community mindedness. Get on board, you aren’t getting any younger.
**for more fascinating information about the future of aging:
“Generations”, Journal of the American Society on Aging, Fall 2010, vol. 34, No. 3
