What Working With Older Adults Has Taught Me About Living Fully
One of the greatest gifts of my work has been spending time with older adults.
Over the years, I’ve facilitated creative wellness and arts programs with people in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Don’t underestimate the older adults in your life.
In our culture, we often talk about aging as though life slows down or becomes smaller. But the older adults I know are out there living full, vibrant, meaningful lives.
They’re traveling to Italy, Japan, and South America.
They’re hiking, golfing, taking classes, and attending concerts.
They’re growing blackberries and blueberries in their gardens, making homemade jam, and sharing it with friends.
They’re exploring new interests, learning new skills, and saying yes to new experiences.
They’re living.
And honestly? They’re inspiring.
A Lifetime of Stories and Wisdom
One of the things I love most about working with older adults is hearing their stories.
Many have lived through decades of change, challenge, love, loss, adventure, and growth. They’ve built careers, raised families, traveled the world, navigated hardships, and discovered what truly matters to them.
When they share their experiences, they’re not sharing theories about life.
They’re sharing wisdom that has been earned.
The older I get, the more I realize how valuable that wisdom is.
If you’re lucky enough to have older adults in your life—parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, or friends—take the time to listen.
Ask questions.
Be curious.
Pay attention.
There is so much we can learn from people who have walked the path before us.
What Really Matters
When I worked at a cancer center, I had the privilege of witnessing countless conversations about life, meaning, and what matters most.
One theme came up again and again.
People rarely wished they had worked more.
They rarely wished they had accumulated more things.
Instead, they talked about relationships.
They talked about family.
They talked about friendships.
They talked about time spent with people they loved.
Again and again, I was reminded that our connections with others are one of the most important parts of a meaningful life.
The older adults I work with continue to reinforce that lesson.
They invest in friendships.
They stay connected.
They show up for one another.
They build community.
And in doing so, they create lives filled with meaning and purpose.
The Secret Isn’t Staying Young
The secret isn’t staying young.
The secret is staying engaged.
The older adults who inspire me most remain curious about life.
They continue learning.
They continue exploring.
They continue creating.
They continue connecting.
They continue finding reasons to get excited about tomorrow.
In many ways, they remind me that living fully has very little to do with age and everything to do with how we choose to show up in our lives.
A Reminder for All of Us
The next time you’re tempted to dismiss someone as “old,” pause for a moment.
That person may have traveled the world.
They may have stories you’ve never heard.
They may have wisdom that could change the way you see your own life.
And they may very well be living more fully than many people half their age.
Working with older adults has taught me that life doesn’t stop at 70, 80, or even 90.
If anything, it has shown me what is possible when we continue to stay curious, connected, and engaged with the world around us.
What a gift that is.
Want to experience creative wellness for yourself?
Explore upcoming workshops, private sessions, or corporate wellness offerings here on my website.