Why is this subject, “Super Aging,” important in the world?
Longevity is the most important social trend we will ever see. The fastest-growing age group is centenarians…and we’re just getting started. The established model of aging, which we call Default Aging, posited that at age 65 you were entering relatively short (10-15 years) period of decline, followed by death; there was not much left to do or to expect. But now a 65-year-old can anticipate 20 or 30 years (or even more) of lifespan – certainly a long enough period to accomplish more, to discover more, to thrive and be fulfilled. Thus, Super Aging.
Why does it matter? Because it’s happening on a massive scale, and it is disrupting every other aspect of society – health care, financial planning, housing, education, science and technology, political power.
What is the pressing issue right and how are you addressing it?
Super Aging represents an exciting opportunity – but also a challenge. To fully maximize the potential, you have to be aware of – and keep up to date with – many more topics, each of which is evolving rapidly. It isn’t just a matter of a single “miracle diet” or workout plan. There’s also attitude, finances, conscious introspection and planning about what the future could bring, knowledge of emerging technology and medical research…it’s a crowded agenda. We saw an opportunity to be the eyes and ears of SuperAgers, curating the information to select the most relevant and authoritative, and to serve it up in a convenient, actionable package.
David Cravit and Larry Wolf Biography
What is your background in this subject?
Both David Cravit and Larry Wolf are SuperAgers, working well past the “traditional” age of retirement (65) and still pursuing active careers.
David is a VP at ZoomerMedia, Canada’s only media company specializing in the “older” market, and also Chief Membership Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of CARP (Canadian equivalent of AARP). He has written two previous books about the “reinvention” of aging, and is a frequent expert commentator on radio and TV on issues relating to longevity and its implications.
Larry is a brand marketing expert with decades of experience in advertising and marketing communications for governments and Fortune 500 companies. He recognized that the profound changes driven by longevity could actually allow for the re-branding of aging itself – one of the underlying principles of this book.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
David Cravit – I’m a frustrated banjo player and lover of bluegrass. Not the most obvious thing for an urbanite Boomer.
Larry Wolf — I started a record company in the 1960s and produced beat generation records.
What are your passions outside of your career?
David Cravit – Serious history buff, particularly the Civil War and biographies. Also a passionate baseball fan and lover of baseball analytics.
Larry Wolf – My passions are family, film and theater. I also love klezmer music.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
David Cravit – I support organizations that work to advance the interests of people as we age. In Canada, that means CARP (carp.ca). I’m also a member of AARP. I also support Save The Children.
Larry Wolf – My causes are social justice, gun control, Planned Parenthood and voting rights. I support the fight against ageism.
What is next for you?
We’re already thinking about spin-off titles – we might zero in on one of the seven A’s to drill down into more detail. Or maybe a Super Aging cookbook.
We’re also building out our website to support the book, and will be updating the content consistently to make it a destination for our audience. Super Aging.info.
Super Aging
Tell me about your book
The book organizes Super Aging around seven elements (the 7 A’s of Super Aging): Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Accomplishment, Autonomy, Attachment and Avoidance (of harmful factors). It curates the current busy landscape of research, discovery, and new information on all these topics, identifying the most important findings and presenting actionable steps the reader can take to become a SuperAger.
Senior Solutions for the Sandwich Generation(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
The book is available at all the leading online retailers and bookstores. It can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others, and in Canada, Chapters Indigo.
Discussion about this post