I'm Aging, Too

As a geriatrician, a doctor focused on the care of older adults, I frequently think about healthy aging. A few months ago, I grabbed some reading glasses and realized I hadn’t been seeing clearly for weeks. The glasses help me focus better at work and home, and they also remind me I’m getting older. On the bright side, they’re a new chance to add some style—now I just have to remember to bring them everywhere.

I’ve grown to appreciate that healthy aging can look different for everyone. It may be the 90-plus-year-old setting records in the 100-meter dash at the Senior World Games or the individual living with multiple sclerosis slowly and patiently teaching their grandchild to knot a necktie. The common thread is enabling older people to, as we consider in age-friendly health care, pursue “what matters most” to them. Sometimes, this means fewer medications or procedures and greater attention to strategies that enhance movement, reduce fall risk, and boost mood and memory.

When I see statistics about the growth in our older adult population, the future need for adult caregivers, or the influence that caretaking for persons with dementia may have on our society, I’m reminded that the statistics are not just about Baby Boomers. The numbers also apply to the generations following—which includes me! Ultimately, healthy aging is influenced by experiences throughout life. In addition to actions we can take, like wearing seatbelts and staying active, the opportunity for us to age with choice and purpose takes community support.

In this special issue, we highlight multiple ways Emory teams are driving innovation and knowledge to support health and longevity for all as well as creative caregiving for our elders.

We’re always looking to generate new strategies to make the golden years of life better. Healthy aging is the result of a lifetime of wise decisions and being a valued part of a society willing to support those efforts.

 

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