Podcast Summary: How to Age Up – Episode: How to Define Old Age
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host/Author: The Atlantic
Introduction
In the "How to Define Old Age" episode of How to Age Up by The Atlantic, hosts Natalie Brennan and Yasmin Tayag delve into the intricate relationship between aging, societal perceptions, and the evolving scientific understanding of what it means to grow older. This episode explores the fears, misconceptions, and positive aspects associated with aging, featuring insights from Dr. Kiran Ribeiro, a renowned geriatric psychiatrist.
Voicemails: Personal Perspectives on Aging
The episode begins with listeners sharing their personal experiences and feelings about aging:
- Caller 1 (00:36): "Most people think I'm 45, 50, but I'm actually going to be 63."
- Caller 2 (00:58): "And I am 60 wonderful years old at 61."
- Caller 3 (02:01): "I'm 75 years old, thank God I'm Italian and I don't wrinkle. So I don't look my age. And I feel 20."
- Dr. Kiran Ribeiro (02:08): "My age is almost 80, so I am actually aged, not aging."
- Caller 4 (02:14): "I'm 88 years young. I'm only 88 and married to a younger woman, only 85. So one of our secrets is you think we're not aging. We are, you think?"
These voicemails highlight a common theme: many older individuals feel younger than their chronological age and express concerns about societal perceptions of aging.
Cultural Narratives and Ageism (02:44 – 08:07)
Natalie Brennan observes a pattern in the voicemails, noting that many callers express anxieties about aging and its uncertainties. The conversation shifts to Dr. Kiran Ribeiro, who provides a deep dive into the societal and institutional biases surrounding aging.
- Yasmin Tayag (03:46): "We conflate aging and disease."
- Dr. Ribeiro (07:37): "It's very subtle and it's largely unconscious, and it's institutionalized. It's part of our policies and laws, and it's part of our processes."
Dr. Ribeiro emphasizes that ageism is embedded in societal structures and policies, often manifesting unconsciously. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these biases, highlighting the systemic gaps in how society treats older individuals.
The WHO's Proposal: Aging as a Disease (08:36 – 15:26)
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the World Health Organization's (WHO) controversial proposal to classify aging as a disease within the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
- Yasmin Tayag (09:13): "If old age is officially considered a disease, then drugs can be developed to treat it the way we already have drugs to treat diseases like diabetes and cancer."
- Dr. Ribeiro (10:30): "We've gone through diseases like homosexuality classified as a disease. And think about the stigma associated with those terms."
Dr. Ribeiro recounts the efforts to challenge the WHO's proposal, arguing that labeling aging as a disease would perpetuate ageism and lead to negative societal implications. The campaign successfully led the WHO to rescind the proposal, affirming that aging is not a disease but a natural life stage.
Healthspan vs. Lifespan (17:21 – 23:49)
The hosts explore the concepts of healthspan and lifespan, differentiating between merely extending life and ensuring those additional years are healthy and fulfilling.
- Yasmin Tayag (22:51): "Healthspan is the idea of extending the period that a person is healthy. And that's different from lifespan, which is about how long you actually live."
- Natalie Brennan (23:22): "Instead of trying to live longer until 105, it's about making it longer in your life without disease."
Emphasizing actionable strategies, Yasmin outlines ways to enhance healthspan:
- Yasmin Tayag (23:36): "Eat well, exercise, sleep a lot, connect with people."
Advice for Aging Gracefully (23:52 – 26:40)
Dr. Ribeiro shares practical advice for maintaining health and well-being in later years through what he calls the "rule of 20s":
- Smile 20 Times a Day: "As soon as you're smiling, it changes the way your brain works."
- Engage in 20 Minutes of Physical Activity: Preferably walking to promote physical health.
- Socialize for 20 Minutes Daily: Encouraging interactions beyond immediate household members.
- Dr. Ribeiro (25:40): "These are three basic things you can do, and then all the treatment I give you will be much more effective."
Positive Perspectives on Aging (27:24 – 30:26)
Contrasting the earlier anxieties, the episode highlights uplifting messages from listeners who embrace aging with enthusiasm and purpose:
- Caller 2 (27:24): "At age 60, I started weight resistance training and cycling... I enjoy that. It’s about the desire to continue to grow."
- Caller 1 (30:07): "I want to see him land on Mars... all the new things that are going to come."
These narratives underscore a shift towards viewing aging as an opportunity for continued growth, exploration, and fulfillment.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up by reinforcing the importance of redefining societal narratives around aging. By focusing on healthspan, combating ageism, and embracing the positive aspects of growing older, individuals and society can foster a more inclusive and dignified experience for the aging population.
Notable Quotes:
- Dr. Kiran Ribeiro (04:23): "Aging is universal and should not be pathologized. And it's time to reframe aging in a more positive way."
- Yasmin Tayag (17:05): "A lot of this does come down to money. There's a hope that there will be more investment in research on slowing aging, which in turn will save money in the long run."
- Dr. Ribeiro (18:24): "Aging is a risk factor. It's the strongest risk factor for cognitive impairment or dementia, barring all other illnesses."
- Dr. Ribeiro (25:40): "Smiling, physical activity, and socializing are foundational to healthy aging."
This episode of How to Age Up offers a comprehensive exploration of aging, blending personal stories with expert insights to challenge prevailing misconceptions and advocate for a healthier, more positive approach to growing older.