The 2023 National Senior Games are under way this week, and I’m excited to be competing in them for the first time alongside thousands of senior athletes. The Games are a great demonstration of our capacity as humans to grow and to change and to rebuild throughout our lives.
In today’s society, we don’t always hear about the extraordinarily positive side of aging. This could be attributed to our country’s demographics (increase in life expectancy and rise in chronic conditions), or some other sociological factors entirely. But I’m seeing the topic of aging from a new and exciting perspective with so many examples of seniors defying the odds of what it means to thrive.
Take the 12,000 Senior Games athletes. The oldest competitor is a 104-year-old track sprinter. There are also three other Centenarians who are competing, including a WWII Navy veteran who fought in Normandy on D-Day. While some have been blessed with good health, others have had to overcome significant health and life challenges. Most all participate in the Senior Games to show their gratitude for the lives they’re living today.
In addition to the extraordinary senior athletes, many seniors continue to work and make significant contributions to businesses across the country. Our nation’s population is older than ever and not only are people living longer, but they’re working longer too. As a recent Wall Street Journal article highlights, about 650,000 Americans over 80 worked last year, which is about 18% more than a decade before and is expected to continue to climb for people 75 and older. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says it will be at around 11.7% by 2030 vs. 8.9% in 2020. (Callum Borchers. 2023. Why High-Powered People Are Working in Their 80s. “The Wall Street Journal.” June 27, 2023)
It’s exciting to see these trends with recognition that people can make a meaningful impact and do incredible things no matter their age. My dad was the ultimate role model of this for me. Throughout his life, he was passionate about his work, something he continued up to age 80. It gave him a sense of purpose.
At Humana, there are lots of examples of senior customers and teammates who continue to work and make significant contributions. A wonderful example is a teammate (Bea) who inspires me and is a great example of what’s possible in continuing to work and contribute well into her 80s.
Bea joined our team in 2012 and, as she tells it, we hired her when she was young … in her 70s. Her mission then and now is to share and show the importance of emotional wellbeing in decision making and the health of company culture. Bea is happy to talk about her age, reminding teammates she’s not only a colleague, but she’s the age of our customers, thus enabling her to offer a unique perspective.
Here are a few insights she shared we can all learn from:
1. Determine your personal mission. “Feeling we are making an impact in what we are doing is something we seem to be on a quest for all our lives. Most of my work today is in the clinical space trying to scale what I did all those years as a clinician/psychologist. Think about how you’re making a difference in your work, and you’ll feel fulfilled.”
2. Stay mentally curious. “I read a lot and make a point to learn something new every day. Some people take exercise classes and stay fit through group activities. I stay fit through conversation and learning. Mental stimulation and understanding how things connect is what gives me energy.”
3. Learn from others. “If you take time to get to know people you work with, regardless of age or other differences, I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you learn. Listening is a great connector. Something magical happens when we take time to listen and learn.”
From the Senior Games athletes to my dad to Bea to many others I’ve had the privilege of knowing in my life, I’ve come to realize aging isn’t something to be afraid of, instead it’s a time to embrace all that life offers which is the opportunity to grow, to evolve, to become.