Editorial: Aging Mastery Program - "Navigating My Later Years in Fun Now!"

They say that with age, comes wisdom. And for the most part, that’s true. At 70, I certainly like to think that I have most things in my life figured out. I’ve been active in my community, volunteered my whole life, and have had a pretty successful career as a teacher in Cleveland public schools.

But I will readily admit that as I age, I also am more honest with myself about the things I may not know. I have found that there are still some things that come with your older years that I didn’t have mastered. Navigating the senior years takes planning and deliberate choices that we don’t always have the foundation to understand. As children, we’re taught to be adults, but no one teaches us how to be elders in our community.

One day, I happened to read about a program that has been extremely valuable to me – the Aging Mastery Program® (AMP), organized by the Paul W. Alandt Rose Center for Aging Well in Cleveland. I liked AMP because the instructors worked with each of us at our own skill and comfort levels. This program provides a playbook for older adults like me to take key steps to improve their health, well-being, and economic security, and to strengthen their ties to their community.

 It’s a really fun and educational approach that celebrates this gift of longevity. Since people are living longer than ever before, I’m definitely not the only one who may have been unprepared for my senior years. Sometimes we forget that this third phase of life has changed drastically since the last generation navigated the aging process.

 The Aging Mastery Program is a 10-class program that combines goal-setting, daily practices, and peer support to help seniors like me make meaningful changes in their lives. I’ve learned that it’s the small changes I make in my life that end up producing big results. I’m more educated about medications and other medical concerns, eat better and hydrate more, and exercise regularly. I feel much better about making the years I have left count!

 The National Council on Aging and Anthem, Inc. are working with local senior organizations, like the Paul W. Alandt Rose Center for Aging Well, to bring more AMP classes to the Cleveland area as part of their commitment to older adults and the community. I highly recommend other seniors check out this program. Because if I’ve gained any wisdom with my age, it’s never pass up a good opportunity.