We are all “Temporarily Able”

What would our world look like if we considered ourselves Temporarily Able? Meaning that we looked at life as a series of changes with each stage being “able” to do something that we might “not be able” to do at the next stage. For example, when laying out the blueprints for a park, the architect would take into consideration equipment for life’s changes. Slides and climbing equipment for developing muscle and expending energy, stations with equipment for building better balance and flexibility along a walking path and swings for every age designed by size, safety, and independence. By changing our philosophy on aging from being re-active to becoming pro-active we can look at creative solutions to the aging process. It would no longer be looked at as a negative change but as a different stage in tackling age friendly issues.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the American Society on Aging’s National Convention in Chicago. The week long conference covered topics in seminars from entrepreneurs creating different solutions to aging issues, to big picture crystal balls on what the future of aging will look like in different arenas. I left at the end of the week feeling positive about the great innovations, achievements and attitudes that are impacting older adults and the contributions older adults give society as a whole.

I took the train each day to the city and by the end of the week I was wondering “why are there steps to get on the train and not ramps for baby buggies and walkers?”  I know, one step at a time.