We will all get old, if we are lucky. Aging is a privilege, but facing up to the inevitable lifestyle changes, could leave some of us in denial. Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and author, best known for his candid essays in the Washington Post and New York Times, focussing on what it’s like to grow old. In this LLAMA podcast interview, recorded at TEDMED, Steven reflects on the aging process through the eyes of his parents and his own aspirations. He also discusses the challenges posed by loneliness, declining mobility and old age for LGBTQ people.

Check out our home page at LLAMApodcast.com
Twitter: @llamapodcast

In this interview we cover:

• Lessons and stories from the way parents live and age.
• Family tensions and a father’s frustration at growing old.
• Defiance over getting old.
• Like father, like son - shared traits as we age.
• Stupid things we won’t do as we get old.
• Illness denial and death denial.
• Acting our age.
• Is death to be feared or is it just another stage of life.
• Slow down and retire or turn 60 and speed up.
• Multi-generational living, to stay young at heart.
• Staying busy and living long.
• The scourge on loneliness.
• Why the LGBTQ Stonewall generation is being forced back into the closet as they seek care in assisted living facilities.

Affiliation disclosure: DoNotAge.org is offering listeners to LLAMA a 10% discount on its range of products, including NAD boosters. The podcast receives a small commission when you use the use code LLAMAfor purchases at DoNotAge.org - it helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews remain free for all to listen. Health queries can be answered by emailing: hello@donotage.org