Laraine Stewart
Area Agency on Aging
The Open Road: America Looks at Aging, a public television documentary underwritten by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the National Council on Aging, allows us to look at aging, not as the end of the road, but as a time of new possibilities. The audience is given several snapshots of individuals as they prepare for a new age or, as some refer to it, a new chapter in their life. The “boomers” will enjoy a longer life span, better health, and more years to develop their own interests and options than at any time in the past. This is in sharp contrast to the time when, for our parents and grandparents, mandatory retirement and shorter life expectancy were associated with loss and uselessness.
The film allows the viewer to consider leisure time, volunteer opportunities, work, and re-careering as part of the new face of aging. The people in the film have a sense of vitality in their life and are not ready to stop participating in the community. Even at 92, a former teacher is able to contribute and maintain a sense of self-worth.
Even though the facts indicate that many people will need to continue to work due to financial necessity, they may be able to work fewer hours or at less laborious jobs, and therefore be able to enjoy more leisure time. The key for each of us in finding the right balance between work and leisure lies in planning and taking the time to consider our skills and interests.
The Open Road challenges each of us to begin to understand the human resources within our own communities and to utilize the experience, expertise, and creativity older adults have to offer, as well as to recognize that our own later life has value and meaning.
The film does not address the barriers that many of us have to face, such as personal illness or the burden of caring for family members, but rather focuses on the vitality of being older and wanting to remain active and stay involved.
This film should be mandatory for all individuals as they prepare for their own next chapter in life.
The Open Road: America Looks at Aging airs Sunday, July 17 at 4 p.m. on Channel 8.
