The Longevity Revolution: Creating Age-Friendly Economic Engines

Editor's Note: Vicki Vega is an initiative consultant for Age-Friendly Sarasota, a thought leader in human development, and a leading-edge baby boomer. She is blazing new trails with her cohorts, learning new skills, and exploring new horizons.

OK, so you wake up one morning, look in the mirror and see your mother or father looking back at you. It’s then you realize you’re not in the seventh grade anymore and your biggest challenge/opportunity of the day will not be diagramming a sentence in English class.

You further realize you’re not in this “aging game” alone. As a matter of fact, you’re one of millions around the world who are, by virtue of sheer numbers, requiring – maybe even demanding - social and policy changes along with new products and services.

This “global aging” thing is shaking up the status quo. More people are living longer -- some well beyond 100 years -- and many are experiencing the benefit with an increase in healthspan. Consider this truth: our society, as a whole, is living nearly 30 years longer than our great-grandparents. An entire adult life!

So what does this mean? Nothing short of a revolution! A Longevity Revolution.

Indications are that communities who adapt to this paradigm shift will be the most prosperous. Here are a few reasons why Age-Friendly communities are creating “economic engines” with mature adults providing the fuel.

Mature adults in the workforce are experienced with knowledge and skills that only time can impart. They often contribute well beyond the paychecks they earn.

Mature adults represent a large and growing part of the entrepreneurial economy that creates jobs and generates dollars into a community.

Mature adults are not just huge consumers but their market stimulates new products, services, technologies, and companies.

Mature adults provide a significant amount of service as community volunteers and philanthropists.

Mature adults support families by providing care and resources across generations.

Recognizing this, the Age-Friendly movement advocates for the health and well-being of everyone and for the creation of communities for all ages. Read about Age-Friendly Sarasota, an initiative of The Patterson Foundation. Then, share your ideas about how to create a community for all ages. Contact us at info@agefriendlysarasota.org or Age-Friendly Sarasota

Contact Vicki at VickiVTPF@gmail.com
Follow her on Twitter @SRQBoomer