The Upside of Aging: How Long Life Is Changing the World of
Health, Work, Innovation, Policy and Purpose explores a titanic
shift that will alter every aspect of human existence, from the
jobs we hold to the products we buy to the medical care we receive
- an aging revolution underway across America and the world. Moving
beyond the stereotypes of dependency and decline that have defined
older age, The Upside of Aging reveals the vast opportunity
and potential of this aging phenomenon, despite significant policy
and societal challenges that must be addressed. The book's
chapter authors, all prominent thought-leaders, point to a
reinvention and reimagination of our older years that have critical
implications for people of all ages.

With a positive call to action, the book illuminates the upside
for health and wellness, work and volunteerism, economic growth,
innovation and education. The authors, like the baby boom
generation itself, posit new ways of thinking about aging, as
longevity and declining birthrates put the world on track for a
mature population of unprecedented size and significance. Among
topics they examine are:

* The emotional intelligence and qualities of the aging brain
that science is uncovering, "senior moments"
notwithstanding.

* The new worlds of genomics, medicine and technology that are
revolutionizing health care and wellness.

* The aging population's massive impact on global markets,
with enormous profit potential from an explosion in products and
services geared toward mature consumers.

* New education paradigms to meet the needs and aspirations of
older people, and to capitalize on their talents.

* The benefits that aging workers and entrepreneurs bring to
companies, and the crucial role of older people in philanthropy and
society.

* Tools and policies to facilitate financial security for longer
and more purposeful lives.

* Infrastructure and housing changes to create livable cities for
all ages, enabling "aging in place" and continuing
civic contribution from millions of older adults.

* The opportunities and potential for intergenerational
engagement and collaboration.

The Upside of Aging defines a future that differs profoundly
from the retirement dreams of our parents and grandparents, one
that holds promise and power and bears the stamp of a generation
that has changed every stage of life through which it has
moved.

PAUL H. IRVING is president of the Milken Institute, where he leads initiatives to improve public health and aging across America and the world, expand capital access, and enhance philanthropic impact. Under his direction, the Institute produced the widely acknowledged Best Cities for Successful Aging index. Formerly CEO of a large professional services firm and a corporate lawyer, Irving remains actively involved in global business and charitable leadership in his encore career.

The Upside of Aging: How Long Life Is Changing the World of Health, Work, Innovation, Policy and Purpose explores a titanic shift that will alter every aspect of human existence, from the jobs we hold to the products we buy to the medical care we receive - an aging revolution underway across America and the world. Moving beyond the stereotypes of dependency and decline that have defined older age, The Upside of Aging reveals the vast opportunity and potential of this aging phenomenon, despite significant policy and societal challenges that must be addressed. The book's chapter authors, all prominent thought-leaders, point to a reinvention and reimagination of our older years that have critical implications for people of all ages.

With a positive call to action, the book illuminates the upside for health and wellness, work and volunteerism, economic growth, innovation and education. The authors, like the baby boom generation itself, posit new ways of thinking about aging, as longevity and declining birthrates put the world on track for a mature population of unprecedented size and significance. Among topics they examine are:

• The emotional intelligence and qualities of the aging brain that science is uncovering, senior moments notwithstanding.
• The new worlds of genomics, medicine and technology that are revolutionizing health care and wellness.
• The aging population's massive impact on global markets, with enormous profit potential from an explosion in products and services geared toward mature consumers.
• New education paradigms to meet the needs and aspirations of older people, and to capitalize on their talents.
• The benefits that aging workers and entrepreneurs bring to companies, and the crucial role of older people in philanthropy and society.
• Tools and policies to facilitate financial security for longer and more purposeful lives.
• Infrastructure and housing changes to create livable cities for all ages, enabling aging in place and continuing civic contribution from millions of older adults.
• The opportunities and potential for intergenerational engagement and collaboration.

The Upside of Aging defines a future that differs profoundly from the retirement dreams of our parents and grandparents, one that holds promise and power and bears the stamp of a generation that has changed every stage of life through which it has moved.

Foreword xi
Michael Milken

Preface: Aging and ChangeA New Day is Coming xix
Paul H. Irving

Acknowledgments xxiii

Introduction: The Rise of a Mature World: By the Numbers xxv
Paul H. Irving and Anusuya Chatterjee

Part One: Opportunities and Innovations 1

Chapter 1: Our Aging PopulationIt May Just Save Us All 3
Laura L. Carstensen

Longevity is Here to Stay 5

The Future of Aging Societies 7

Senior Moments 8

The Power of the Aging Brain 11

Motivation, the Aging Brain's Secret Weapon 14

Tapping a Rich Resource 16

Notes 16

Chapter 2: Personalized Aging: One Size Doesn't Fit All 19
Pinchas Cohen

Personalizing Medicine 23

Genomics: Sci-Fi No Longer 24

Nutrition and Genes 25

To Diet or Not? 26

A Field in Its Infancy 27

Let's Prove It 28

To Run or Walk? 29

Supplemental Jury Out 30

Looking Good, Feeling Good 30

Conclusion 31

Notes 32

Chapter 3: The Bold New World of Healthy Aging 35
Freda Lewis-Hall

The Mother of All Confluences 36

A Data and Diagnosis Revolution 37

Our New Guardian Angels 39

A Golden Age of Medicines 42

The New World of Vaccines 43

Never Too OldFor Surgery 44

Is That My Liver on the Printer? 45

The Wild Card: Tackling Alzheimer's 46

We Have Met the Solution, and It is Us 47

Eight Days a WeekOnly the Start 48

Notes 48

Chapter 4: Disruptive Demography: The New Business of Old Age 51
Joseph F. Coughlin

Demographic Transition and the New Face of Old Age 52

Mapping New Markets in an Aging Society 53

Supporting People as They Age 56

Enabling Independence 57

New Lifestyles of the Mature Adult 58

The Boomers' Social Impact 61

Conclusion 61

Notes 62

Chapter 5: A Longevity Market Emerges 63
Ken Dychtwald

The Age Wave Marketplace 64

What, MeOld? 66

I Am Not My Age 68

Targeting Self-Perception 68

Show Them Something New 69

The New Look of Longevity 71

Aging and Experiences: Doing, Not Owning 71

Comfort M…