Last week I participated in the Seventh Annual International Conference on Positive Aging hosted by the Institute for the Ages in Sarasota, Florida. The conference brought together over 370 participants, national thought leaders and local aging specialists to learn how we are changing the way we re-envision the second half of life. The sessions and workshops were designed around seven focus areas; wellness, creativity/innovation, transitions, community, technology and evangelizing positive aging. This conference and the Institute for the Ages is bringing to the forefront this most interesting dimension of technology and innovation converging to transform aging in terms of health, wellness, community design and family engagement.
Here are the major takeaways from the conference that ignited my passion around this topic.
CHANGING OUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE
Marc Freedman, (founder of Encore.org) kicked off the conference Sunday night by challenging all of us to look at the idea of staring aging squarely in the face and celebrating the longevity revolution. He recommended three ideas to fast forward the Encore Movement:
- GAP YEAR – Encourage older Americans to take a year off to experiment and explore opportunities to identify and apply their passion and purpose in their community or the world at large.
- EDUCATION – Provide a new type of education that better prepares boomers to identify their encore careers in the second half of life.
- NEW POLICIES – Create new policies and pathways that support flexibility and new opportunities to those who want to redefine their age of “retirement”.
Marc’s primary message centered around generativity; to honor and build on what we have, to break free of the notion of eternal youth.
OLD IS GOOD: EVANGELIZING POSITIVE AGING
Several speakers focused on the ever growing movement to change the conversation about ageism in America. Dick Goldberg, Executive Director of Coming of Age, talked about embracing our age and rejecting the idea of older adults being sidelined because of their age. Annarose Ingarra-Milch, author of “Lunch with Lucille”, shared a story about a woman who proclaims “Age is my best asset!”
SENIOR ENTREPRENEURS ON A ROLL
Recent research reveals that the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity belongs to those aged 55-64. There is a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on this growing trend in a number of ways. The pre-conference workshop, “Entrepreneurship Trumps Ageism” set the stage by showcasing an incredible program, E Prov. The workshop provided an innovative approach to help older adults to ignite and build on ideas for potential start ups through improvisation.
I had the privilege of leading a 2 hour workshop- Senior Entrepreneurs: New Engines for a New Economy. We talked about the different opportunities for communities to grow and sustain entrepreneurs. The Encore Academy will be offering programs that help Senior Entrepreneurs identify and launch their new enterprise.
Elizabeth Isele, one of the nation’s thought leaders in the area of senior entrepreneurship, spoke at the conference of the tremendous impact that older entrepreneurs have on our community, economy, health and well-being. Then, in what was a groundbreaking week for senior entrepreneurs, she flew directly to Washington, DC to lead a US Senate hearing on the topic: In Search of a Second Act:The Challenges and Advantages of Senior Entprepreneurship. Elizabeth delivered a key message to the Senate Committee that…
“Seniors are not the silver tsunami, they are a silver lining and believe me they will be yielding golden dividends”
I believe Elizabeth’s quote sums up the main takeaway for the entire conference – It starts with us! We need to recognize and embrace our age. This is our time to live our best life – engaged, healthy, creative and contributing to our community! How can we change the conversation about positive aging for others? Stay tuned- I will be posting other great insights from the conference next week!
Bevan Rogel – Founder- Encore Tampa Bay