Opportunity Age:Fulfillment in the Third Age of Life

Wednesday, March 25, 2015- Noon (EDT)

Many people define aging negatively, as a time of life filled with loss. But it doesn't have to be that way. In reality, the second half of life is filled with opportunities to thrive and become increasingly fulfilled, if we choose to take advantage of them. This webinar will focus on these concrete opportunities, such as embracing wellness, creativity, and engaging in deeper, more satisfying relationships with family and friends.

Rhoda Meador, Director, Gerontology Institute, Ithaca College Rhoda has written, consulted, presented seminars, and facilitated numerous events on a variety of topics including life course planning, retirement, leadership, communication, eldercare, and adult learning. She seeks to create a shift in mind-set about how individuals and society currently conceptualize aging.

Rhoda joined the Ithaca staff in 2010 as Director of the Gerontology Institute, which provides high quality education to students and professionals who work with older adults. She previously worked at Cornell University, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Marshall University and a PhD from Iowa State University. Rhoda is a frequent guest speaker at local, regional and national conferences and events.

Opportunity Age:Fulfillment in the Third Age of Life

Rhoda MeadorDirector, Ithaca College Gerontology Institute

March, 2015

Three Ages of LifeFirst

Youth0-30

LearningPreparation

Second

Midlife30-60

BuildingEstablishing

Third

Opportunity60-90+

Attitude Driven???

PollWhich age do you fit into now?

First age (0-30)Second age (30-60)Third age(60-90+)

First Age: Youth

Preparation and building– Educational attainment– Establishing families– Acquiring stuff

Establish lifelong patterns– Health habits

Second Age: Midlife

Building and sustaining– Raising a family– Career-focused

Continue lifelong patterns– Health habits

Third Age: Opportunity

A brand new phase of life: 60-90+Very few people lived beyond their 60s before the 1900s.Changing life expectancy

• Better nutrition• Modern medicine

Longer lifespans

Challenges – Longer lifespans can bring chronic illness & age-

related diseases– It takes more money to live longer

Opportunities– Lifelong Learning– Encore work– Fulfillment

Negative Positive

Two Paradigms of the Third Age

Perspective is the Key

So Many Opportunities . . .

Social Opportunities

Health Opportunities

Purposeful Opportunities

Consciousness Opportunities

PollThinking of these categories of opportunities, which is your

highest priority?

Social Opportunities

Health Opportunities

Purposeful Opportunities

Consciousness Opportunities

Choosing opportunities: Socioemotional selectivity theory Developed by Stanford psychologist, Laura CarstensenAs time horizons shrink, as they typically do with age, people become increasingly selective, investing greater resources in emotionally meaningful goals/activities.

Social Opportunities

Community Social connectionsFamily

Health Opportunities

Purposeful Opportunities

WorkAdventure & VolunteerismLifelong Learning

Consciousness Opportunities

Spiritual DevelopmentGenerativityIntegration

What opportunities are calling you?

Chat

What opportunities do you want to take advantage of?

Thanks for participating!