The Future of Aging book presents answers and opportunities to rich and provocative questions related to aging. Each of the books 5 chapters highlights a key aspect of the experience of aging, then explores the challenges and opportunities that an individual or organization might encounter when working with older adults to build a better future. Though each chapter can be read on its own, the book itself represents the richness and complexity of what it means to get older. Together, these chapters reflect a holistic understanding of aging—one in which community, healthcare, technology, identity, and financial well-being are not siloed, but are viewed instead as entangled threads that hold equal importance for building a better future of aging.
Chapter 1: Aging and Community
The future of health is home. Let’s design new communities centered around the home where older adults are empowered to share their skills and participate in activities. This keeps older adults engaged and energized and helps them live happier, healthier lives.
Chapter 2: Health Interventions
Help older adults embrace the benefits of health care interventions by making them appealing and beneficial – win/win. Let’s combat unwelcome physical and psychological changes and negative stereotypes that come with aging by empowering older adults with the vision of what’s possible.
Chapter 3: Gerontechnology
It’s not ‘What’s the matter with you?’ it’s ‘What matters to you?’. Devices, tools and other technological interventions need to be the ultimate in accessibility, customization and simplicity. Insisting older adults be full participants in the design process will exponentially improve uptake and adoption. Older adults see technology in the same way that many young people do -- as a portal to wider worlds, social and otherwise, that are not available in their immediate surroundings.
Chapter 4: Economic Contexts
Design financial products to be flexible enough to be applied in a variety of circumstances. All people value being recognized for what they have built, supported, or contributed to. Older people benefit from the enhanced social status or more practical outcomes that could come with this recognition.
Chapter 5: Identity
Challenge the cultural norms and stereotypes that underpin ageism and other forms of discrimination and urge media and other cultural institutions to showcase a realistically diverse range of older adults. Facilitate the participation of older people in workplaces, recreational spaces, schools, and/or other private and public institutions.
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