NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of aging, mindset and the brain which remains an ongoing field of study. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
How old is 'old' in today’s world? Science has significantly extended the average human lifespan, giving us an unprecedented 'longevity bonus'. Helen urges us to reject the longstanding negative perspective on aging, and instead, to embrace our later years as a time filled with growth, promise and opportunity. After all -- aging is the ultimate triumph of living.
Following a 30-year career as an educational leader and a decade devoted to global, not-for-profit endeavours, Helen shifted gears in her late sixties to reinvent herself as a social entrepreneur. She role models what it means to age in the 21st century despite living in North America’s youth-centric culture which promotes a fear of growing older. Helen founded Top Sixty Over Sixty, a niche, age diversity consultancy, after she witnessed firsthand how ageism was impacting her generation, and how the upcoming demographic shift would affect North America's social and economic fabric. A well-respected and sought-after thought leader, Helen has appeared in several major national media outlets, on television, podcasts, and radio. She advocates, writes, and speaks about the damaging impacts of ageism. She believes the way forward calls for intergenerational collaboration and age equity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx