James Wells, President CEO of Arbor Glen
Common Wisdom taught that after age 40, muscle mass was lost forever. Aging caused loss of memory skills, hearing, taste and sight. Spiritual and cultural values were "set." This wisdom taught us that age equaled fear of change and exploration.
Millions of Americans in their 80's and 90's show us these statement are myths of the wrong kind.
First time ever for the human species, large numbers of persons are moving into their 80’s and 90's with health. To be sure, susceptibility to disease increases in these years, but we may never again equate aging with disease. Many pioneers challenged us to change the culture of "ageism,” in a society whose current power brokers-60's counter-culture kids-cherished the theme "don't trust anyone over 30!" Pioneers in the field of aging, taught us to embrace a larger appreciation of the "older" among us. Now it is time to practice our lesson.
What concerns me are workplace remarks, "When will she retire, you know she's 65?" This conversation should be as unwelcomed as gossip about maternity leave for a newlywed! It is discriminatory for anyone to opine with a 65 year-old about a "need to retire" for no other reason than a birth date. Conversely, it is ageist to paternalize the 65 year-old employee who under-performs because of obvious deficits in technologies or business practice. How many times in the past year has your organization sent older employees to in-service trainings?
What remains in- complete is for each to perform our duty by accessing the "wealth of wisdom" that overflows in the lives of millions of persons-80 and 90 year-olds entering into creative, regenerative and philanthropic life tasks and younger one missing out! What have you done today to bring the perspective of someone in their - - 80s or 90s into your organization, family or workplace? They have honed life-giving perspectives; often because of their toughness to over- come the vicissitudes of young, middle and old age!
It's time to keep score about consultations with 80 or 90 year-old voices - and see our lives improve because of this rich diversity informing us. |
