Thank you for another thoughtful Subtrack piece. Your write-up on the mental health aspects of ageing and the data that challenges the narrative of inevitable decline is insightful and well-presented.
I wanted to offer a polite counterpoint and broaden the conversation. While the trends you describe may hold in developed countries (with better data availability, healthcare access, and social safety nets), they represent only a minority of the world’s older population. Approximately 75% of people aged 60+ live in what are still developing or low- and middle-income countries. For the vast majority of them, the primary challenges are far more basic and immediate: reliable access to two meals a day, basic healthcare, safe housing, and family or community support.
Studies and reports on “ageing and mental health” often draw heavily from wealthier nations, where issues like purpose, social connection, and combating loneliness can take center stage. In many parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, however, elderly people frequently face poverty, food insecurity, inadequate pensions (or none at all), and physical health burdens from lifelong hard labor. All of which profoundly shape mental well-being. These realities are too often sidelined or treated as separate “development” issues rather than central to the global ageing story.
I believe integrating this broader, more representative picture would make the discussion even stronger and more relevant. The fight against decline looks very different when the starting point for so many is survival rather than fulfillment in retirement.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how we can make these global disparities more visible in the ageing conversation.
'Who benefits from keeping the story of decline alive?' That question should be on the wall of every room where aging policy gets made. We built Amara partly because of what that story does to people, older adults who stop expecting relief, stop believing their inner life is worth attending to. The narrative is doing real damage.
Another thought provoking and insightful article - well done. I am not inside the clinical world but rather 30-years within the senior housing sector. I can say that this shift has taken hold within the better communities and those who truly value the resident experience. Clearly, the whole consciousness of longevity is becoming more mainstream for society and I am thrilled that it is. Women in midlife are talking about the same concepts; mindful choices, doing less with greater intention, making choices that protect our mental health. This shift is here. I’m glad to witness the impact you speak of on the clinical system. Keep writing Jane, keeping speaking for the benefit of aging.
“Thank you, Jane, for bringing up this important aspect. Reading this prompted me to reflect on my own clinical experience, which largely corroborates these observations. Over the years, I have found that many older adults tend to be more composed, emotionally balanced, and mentally resilient, often demonstrating a remarkable capacity to navigate life’s challenges with stability and perspective.”
Dear Jane,
Thank you for another thoughtful Subtrack piece. Your write-up on the mental health aspects of ageing and the data that challenges the narrative of inevitable decline is insightful and well-presented.
I wanted to offer a polite counterpoint and broaden the conversation. While the trends you describe may hold in developed countries (with better data availability, healthcare access, and social safety nets), they represent only a minority of the world’s older population. Approximately 75% of people aged 60+ live in what are still developing or low- and middle-income countries. For the vast majority of them, the primary challenges are far more basic and immediate: reliable access to two meals a day, basic healthcare, safe housing, and family or community support.
Studies and reports on “ageing and mental health” often draw heavily from wealthier nations, where issues like purpose, social connection, and combating loneliness can take center stage. In many parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, however, elderly people frequently face poverty, food insecurity, inadequate pensions (or none at all), and physical health burdens from lifelong hard labor. All of which profoundly shape mental well-being. These realities are too often sidelined or treated as separate “development” issues rather than central to the global ageing story.
I believe integrating this broader, more representative picture would make the discussion even stronger and more relevant. The fight against decline looks very different when the starting point for so many is survival rather than fulfillment in retirement.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how we can make these global disparities more visible in the ageing conversation.
Best regards,
Himanshu Rath
agewellfoundation.org
I know it’s trite but your headline made me do this.
“I’m disinclined to decline!”
Now I’m going to read your full post at leisure.
If I have anything useful to add I will in the comments on the post.
'Who benefits from keeping the story of decline alive?' That question should be on the wall of every room where aging policy gets made. We built Amara partly because of what that story does to people, older adults who stop expecting relief, stop believing their inner life is worth attending to. The narrative is doing real damage.
Another thought provoking and insightful article - well done. I am not inside the clinical world but rather 30-years within the senior housing sector. I can say that this shift has taken hold within the better communities and those who truly value the resident experience. Clearly, the whole consciousness of longevity is becoming more mainstream for society and I am thrilled that it is. Women in midlife are talking about the same concepts; mindful choices, doing less with greater intention, making choices that protect our mental health. This shift is here. I’m glad to witness the impact you speak of on the clinical system. Keep writing Jane, keeping speaking for the benefit of aging.
“Thank you, Jane, for bringing up this important aspect. Reading this prompted me to reflect on my own clinical experience, which largely corroborates these observations. Over the years, I have found that many older adults tend to be more composed, emotionally balanced, and mentally resilient, often demonstrating a remarkable capacity to navigate life’s challenges with stability and perspective.”