Experts on Aging, Now Seniors Themselves, See Things Differently

Their advice and thinking about resilience, adaptability and outlook have shifted.

by Amanda Ericksoln for the Washington Post

Physicians, social workers, professors, and researchers who study aging in America have spent decades working with seniors, but they found that getting older themselves shifted their thinking and what they tell their clients.

Some are surprised by how much fun they are having. Others have had to adjust their expectations of themselves and their bodies. And all acknowledge that some of the biggest obstacles facing seniors include the rising cost of health care, the dearth of affordable housing, and the astronomical fees for nursing homes or assisted living.

We spoke with more than a dozen experts to gather their thoughts on aging, and what they would tell their younger selves. Here are some of the most common lessons:

• Find a project you care about — even after retirement. People with a project or a passion they were pursuing were in much better mental and physical shape.
• Focus on adaptability, not just resilience. Focusing on what you are able to do, not what you can’t — can improve your health and mental state.
• Don’t get discouraged — and don’t be too hard on yourself.

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