Click/Listen HOUSTON TELLS A STORY

WELCOME TO THE LONGEVITY REVOLUTION

An inevitable and massive demographic change is under way that will, significantly, alter our economic and social landscapes. This is an invitation to become an informed advocate for the Longevity Revolution

• 
  STOP resisting the inevitable, COUNTER outdated stereotypes of growing old, and DEFEND against doom-and-gloom scenarios of aging.
• RECOGNIZE older adults as the nation's only growing natural resource. AIM for a Return on Experience.
• DEMAND a vision of aging in America that will guide and implement policies and practices to match the resources of experienced older adults with the civic, family, and workforce needs of America and adequately reward their contributions.
• UNDERSTAND that the aging of America will not bankrupt us and can enrich our culture and communities.

Older adults are net providers, not net receivers. They provide childcare, volunteer hours, advisory expertise, and significant spending and tax revenue from tax-deferred 401Ks. Tomorrow’s economy will work because people will still spend money, but on lifelong learning, entertainment, grandchildren, and cataract surgery instead of running shoes and Blackberries. Frail elders comprise only about 5% of the population. With lower birth rates, the dependency ratio stays the same.

The visionary, productive aging of America will take leadership that inspires people and organizations to innovate and foster rather than fight and delay employing, in work and service, America's gifted and useful only growing natural resource -- older Americans.

Copyright Houston Robertson December 2008