Optimal Aging Creating your game plan Allison Wilder, MS, CTRS School of Education Virginia Commonwealth University

Our journey this morning… Spending your most valuable asset- Time Exposing myths and facts about aging What is “Optimal Aging?” Exploring leisure in your life

Welcome to the Third Age! How old is old? Age is just a number… Old is a matter of perspective… How we age is matter of resources…

Myths and Facts about Aging The majority of older people are unable to adapt to change. (False) In general, older people are pretty much alike. (False) Over 20% of the US population is currently 65 and older. (False) The majority of older people are working or would like to have some kind of work to do. (True) (adapted from “The Facts on Aging Quiz” by E. Palmore, 1998)

Myths and Facts about Aging Approximately 25 % of older people live in a nursing home. (False) Most older people are no longer able to learn new things. (False) Over three-fourths of older persons are healthy enough to do their normal activities without help. (True)

Myths and Facts about Aging Only a very few older people still have life goals. (False) The majority of older people say they are seldom bored. (True) The majority of older persons have no interest in, or capacity for, sexual relations. (False) 50 is the new 30. (you decide!)

In sum, older people are… Adaptable Diverse A growing demographic Productive Healthier, wealthier, and better educated than previous generations Goal-directed Active & Engaged

Components of Optimal Aging Stay as healthy as you can Stay as active as you can Stay as engaged as you can Nurture and share your wisdom

Leisure and Optimal Aging Leisure has historically been defined in terms of : –Time –Activity –Freedom

“Leisure is in the eye of the beholder”

Rethinking the role of leisure in your life What does your work “do” for you? What does your leisure “do” for you? What will “replace” your work?

What are the benefits of Leisure? It impacts your health It is a gateway to meaningful engagement It is mechanism for maintaining connectedness It can be a means for financial gain It is a way to meet a host of psychological needs

Re-conceptualize Leisure Leisure as freedom from …. TO Leisure as freedom to… Retire to something, rather than from something

Becoming a “Leisurite” Be prepared to invest some effort Learn new leisure skills or advance your capabilities within existing leisure activities Learn about opportunities Commit to “Just do it”

Closing thoughts on work “Your mental health will be better if you have lots of fun outside the office.” Dr. William Menninger

“Vitality, creativity, significant contribution, and social distinction are not the exclusive province of the young and middle aged.” George Maddox Closing thought on growing older…

Closing thoughts on Leisure “Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good plays, good company, good conversation- what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.” William Lyon Phelps

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, We grow old because we stop playing” Anonymous Closing thoughts on Leisure

Optimal Aging Creating your game plan Allison Wilder, MS, CTRS School of Education Virginia Commonwealth University