In the aftermath of the decision taken by the leadership of Portland Community College to discontinue our beloved gerontology program, current students and faculty were invited to share their thoughts and feelings in response to the following questions:

• To the extent that you feel safe and comfortable doing so, share about who you are and how you describe yourself. What are your special gifts? What are your special challenges? 
• What brought you to the PCC Gerontology Program (as a student, faculty, or friend of the program)? What are your “wildest gerontology dreams” and how has our program supported you in realizing these dreams?
• What does the decision to end our program mean to you? What implications does this have for your own educational and professional development? 
• Is there anything else you’d like to share?

What follows are some of their thoughtful and heartfelt narratives.

Becca Burton

My special gifts are enthusiasm and nurturing others. I manage the food program at my current job. I dedicate my non-work time to building the “we can” into my family and neighborhood. I experience a disability. I successfully worked my way off of SSDI with a Federal program, the Ticket to Work program; this would not have been possible without many hands in the kitchen. I identify as a 56 year old, US born woman, from a multi-ethnic background Russian Jewish/German Protestant/English.

I showed up in the Gerontology Program when my curiosity about my Silent Generation parents blossomed. The PPC Gerontology Program faculty wrote to me within 30 minutes of my initial inquiry, but it took a while to get my college feet as a returning student, due to having an impaired ability to see options. My PCC Gerontology instructors have been extraordinarily inspiring me to keep showing up, applying my talents, facilitating my reaching 21 credits. My wild gerontological dreams are drawn to constructing rich social engagement, continued recovery from my disability and giving back to my family, neighborhood and my work community.

The decision to end this program floors me, both due to its impact on me personally but more due to it being so uniformed by evidence, like the data from 2024 indicating, “In Oregon, the average life expectancy was 78.0 years. This ranged from 73.3 to 82.4 years across counties in the state.” I will get by, having two pending scholarships in the works and requiring only about 20 more credits. I am apoplectic about the eradication of such an opportunity to return services to our neighbors, loved ones and elders that will result from this decision.

Sharon Benjamin RN, MSN, ANP

I am a middle aged woman who has worked in the field of nursing for almost 40 years. Most of this was in the specialty of Hospice. It has been incredibly rewarding and also challenging to work with death, dying and grieving on almost a daily basis. It has strengthened my spirituality and compassion. Unfortunately my joints have become increasingly weakened by arthritis requiring many surgeries and I had to retire on disability from Hospice. But I now find challenge and reward from teaching the wonderful students in PCC Gerontology!

I came to PCC Gerontology in 2018 to pick up a class taught twice a year. I was transitioning out of full time work as a nurse practitioner and teaching this class helped me feel like I was still “in the game”. I have always incorporated teaching in my career and this has just been the next step. 

It is a very sad thing to know that our wonderful program will be going away. I have loved connecting with all the students and faculty in a way that has encouraged me to grow and continue learning. Not only will I be losing a job and income, but I will be losing an extended family.

I’m sure it’s been said already by those more eloquent and intelligent than I, but I just feel the administration is being extremely short sighted. Using the excuse of fiscal sustainability seems cowardly to me to eliminate a program that was hardly costing much at all. If this is ageism then it is just a sign of our times. I don’t have much confidence in our society to make good choices right now. Sad, but my truth.

Sandra Mondal

My name is Sandra Mondal, and I am 55 years old. I worked in IT for more than 31 years, but one day I was let go because I got older. I didn’t know what to do next, so I went to Mt. Hood Community College for advice. They helped me make a new resume and think about a new career. I told them I always wanted to take care of older adults, and they suggested I look into the PCC Gerontology Program. 

At first, I wasn’t sure if this was right for me, but I went to the PCC career center and met kind helpers like Tsu at Sylvania. Even though I hadn’t been a student since the early 1990s, they helped me build the confidence to try again. I had a hard time in my past because I was in a relationship with domestic violence, and that stopped me from going back to school earlier. After I got divorced, remarried, and then lost my job, I finally started on a path for a dream career of helping older adults and making a difference.

I joined the PCC Gerontology Program because I have always cared about older adults. The program helps students learn how to provide quality care through hands-on courses, internships, and career coaching. PCC has flexible online classes and very helpful advising. The Gerontology Program prepares people of many ages to work in the field of aging. My wildest gerontology dream is to open a nursing home or an adult day center in India so families can have a break while their older loved ones are cared for. Jenny Sasser and advisor Tsu at the Sylvania Campus have added so much to my experience by sharing their wisdom and encouraging me to think big. Their support and the practical learning in the program have given me the confidence and tools to work toward making my dream a reality. I also have interviewed with several employers for caring for older adults, and they have all had very good things to say about the PCC Gerontology Program and that the PCC program has an incredible reputation!

I’m really angry that Portland Community College is ending the Gerontology program. This program was the only affordable, online option for students like me who want to help older adults. Without it, I lose a chance to build the skills needed to care for an aging population—a need that is growing every day. 

There are other places where programs in gerontology have been cut or do not exist at all. When a school doesn’t offer these programs, communities are left with fewer trained professionals, which can lead to poorer care for older people and more stress on families. In many areas, the lack of proper gerontology education has real consequences for the health and well-being of our elders. Margaret Cruikshank, in her book Learning to Be Old: Gender, Culture, and Aging, explains that without good gerontology programs, society misses out on learning how to care for aging in a respectful and well-informed way. Her work shows us that a deep understanding of aging is very important and that the loss of these programs weakens the support system for older adults. (Thank you, PCC Staff Greg Blakemore, for introducing me to this book).

 This decision affects my educational and professional development in a big way. Within a 50-mile radius of Portland, I haven’t found another school that offers an affordable online gerontology option. Losing this program means fewer or perhaps NO opportunities for me and many other students who want to make a difference by caring for older adults. It’s not just a personal setback—it’s a loss for the whole community. A community that already is suffering and is in high need of more skilled gerontology professionals.

America’s population is getting older very fast, and this could lead to a big crisis if we don’t have the proper care. Older adults need special attention that’s different from what younger people require. They need medical care that truly understands their unique challenges, social support that helps them feel connected, mental health care that addresses their experiences, and activities built just for them.

 The Gerontology Program at PCC will be a force in teaching people to be experts. They will teach people how to assess these unique needs and create action plans that work. The Gerontology Program at PCC provides the training so people can become professionals in doing careful needs assessments, planning proper care, and even guiding policy to make sure older adults get the right help. Without the PCC Gerontology Program, it is my firm belief that there will be fewer people with the expert knowledge to help decision makers create safe and caring environments for our older adults. 

Natalia Kasperovich

I am a 56 years old white woman, immigrant from Russia. Middle class, living with MS. I am an alumna of the Gerontology program.

I wanted to learn about aging in the US, find meaningful ways to give back to the beautiful country that is now my home. Because of the uncertain prospects of my neurological condition, the community college structure and opportunity to work on small projects is the ideal setting for me. 

I am sad, angry, and feel betrayed by the institution that proclaims its aspirations for diversity, equity, and inclusion. I will not be able to collaborate with the new program participants, I will lose the community of like-minded people, and I will not be able to help other students to achieve their dreams of serving older people of Oregon.

Community college does not need to be a place for mediocrity. Community college students could and should be encouraged to excel, innovate, and advocate for this form of education by sharing the fruits of their creativity that the Gerontology program fosters.

Kerry

I am a mom of two incredible boys–ages 19 & 21. I’ve been married for nearly 26 years, and we’ve called Lake Oswego our home since the beginning. I am a white, Christian female from a middle class family. We are blessed to live where we do, but we are definitely surrounded by generational wealth–which is not part of our story. My paternal grandparents are a huge part of who I am. They were the most wonderful people–kind, hospitable, welcoming, encouraging, loving, and the light of every room. I always felt so special in their presence. I am a writer, singer, reader, cook, snowboarder, mountain biker, soccer player, swimmer, and hiker. I love to organize, and I find peace at home when our space feels warm, tidy, and comfortable. I have had a passion for older people since I was a little girl, and am told I have the supernatural ability to remain calm and present amidst chaos and distress. Personally, I struggle with anxiety. But in times when there is need for diplomacy, an intermediary, or someone who can just maintain a calm presence, this is where I shine. When I can set my own challenges aside to serve others. I have a huge heart for those who are less fortunate, and I envision myself working with older people to ensure they are heard, valued, and seen until their final moments.

When I first heard the news (about the gerontology program ending),  I was heartbroken. For me personally, as I have spent so much time serving my family and felt an overwhelming commitment to and passion for this program. It feels tailored to me, and I have nothing but good things to share when people ask me about it. It feels like a punch in the gut. I’ve never before allowed myself to think about my next steps beyond children, and here I thought I’d found it in this program. I’m unclear at this point where I go from here. I hope to work with my advisor to create a plan that works for me, but I’m a little concerned about the timeline. I am also working again part-time, and still supporting our young adult children, who live at home and are pursuing a degree in Fire/Paramedic/EMT from PCC. If I have to fast-track now, instead of pacing myself a bit, I have some concern around continuing to make it all work. 

I am also incredibly sad for the program’s professors and support staff. This work matters. Her work matters. Bringing people into this space matters. Becoming older is something none of us avoids. As we age, we will need to rely on those who feel truly called to help. Leading people to a career in this space is paramount to the future of all generations. If we stop focusing on the entire lifespan as part of our human experience, what’s the point of any of this? It’s clear this is a decision being made by those who don’t lead with empathy and compassion, but with their minds on the bottom line.

Josh Espanto

What brought me to the PCC Gerontology Program was my personal and professional experience with caregiving. Before becoming a quadriplegic, I owned an adult care home and took care of older adults every day. After my injury, I became even more passionate about helping people who are aging or living with disabilities. I wanted to learn more so I could be an advocate—not just for myself, but for others who need support, respect, and a voice. My “wildest gerontology dream” is to help create better care systems where older adults and people with disabilities feel seen, heard, and valued. PCC’s program has helped me believe that this dream is possible. The classes, instructors, and resources have opened my eyes to new opportunities, and I feel like I’m part of a community that truly cares about making change.

The decision to end the PCC Gerontology Program is a stab in the back for me, and I just joined the program, also, I was really excited to experience the program. This program gave me a second chance at building a meaningful life and career after my injury. It helped me turn my lived experience into a strength and showed me that I could still make a difference in the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. Without this program, I wouldn’t have known about the different career paths in aging or how to be an advocate in my community. Now, I feel uncertain about what comes next. It’s hard to find programs like this that are inclusive and focused on real-world care. Ending it doesn’t just affect me—it takes away opportunities for so many future students who want to do this important work.

I just want to say thank you to the instructors, staff, and classmates who made this program feel like a safe and supportive place. As someone living with a disability, finding spaces where I feel understood and empowered isn’t always easy. But this program gave me hope and purpose again. I truly believe that gerontology isn’t just about aging—it’s about dignity, respect, and community. I hope others will fight to keep programs like this alive because the work we do matters more than people realize.

Whoever’s going to read this, another thing I want to add is that I know one day you’re going to be asking yourself or others how to deal with aging people, or your family, how to deal with you as you age. So, think about that.

Anonymous

I am the mother of a toddler, the wife of a medical student, and a full time nursing student simultaneously pursuing my degree in gerontology. We live on student loans, rely on food stamps and WIC for food, and pay out of pocket for daycare. My husband’s schedule is demanding and inconsistent. One month he is home and the next he is working six days a week, doing 12-16 hour shifts. We are in a constant state of adjusting and readjusting and despite this roller coaster we are on, we prioritize ensuring our toddler does not go without. He lives a full, vibrant, and colorful childhood, unaware of our economic status or the educational demands his dad and I are trying to meet.

I am on my way to becoming a hospice nurse. I am currently enrolled at Sumner College and am pursuing my LPN certificate. The PCC Gerontology Program has been the perfect program in bringing the medical aspect of my career together with the sociological aspects. Since most of my patients will be part of the older population, gerontology was the perfect avenue for me to go down. I already knew hospice was going to be my focus, but when I found the PCC Gerontology Program, it solidified my calling.

This decision (to end the Gerontology Program) rattled me. Many years ago, I got my GED. That was the start of something big for me. Years later, I am one class away from my second degree and a few months away from a nursing career. Deciding to pursue gerontology was huge for me. Now that PCC  has cut the program I am having deep and confusing feelings. How could the degree I have pursued so diligently not be worthy of continuing? How could a room of people tell me that gerontology isn’t worth all this work and sacrifice I have put in? After all this time and effort and these huge and impactful moments I have experienced within the program, I am now part of a program that was deemed to not be sustainable? It doesn’t make sense to me and it feels personal.

This program has given me more than I could ever put into words. It has offered me clarity, solidified my purpose, and allowed me to dig deep into who I am. I have thoroughly enjoyed EVERY class that I have completed in this program and looked forward to enrolling every term. This last term, I paid out of pocket for my class because I was not able to use financial aid at both my programs at the same time. Without income, paying out of pocket was tough on my small family financially, but was a no-brainer because I knew it would result in me getting my degree in gerontology. This degree is something I am proud of, something I worked hard for, and something that will carry me into the hospice field as a confident, capable, and professional nurse working with older people.

Julia Williams, ASID

My name is Julia Williams, and I am a 52-year-old, White/Hispanic American, cis female, proud Gen-Xer, blessed with an upper-middle class income, a loving family, and multiple college degrees.

I am an Interior Designer, having worked in the field for 20+ years. When I came to PCC, I began working towards getting my Career Pathway Certificate in Gerontology, so that I can focus on aging-in-place with my clients to better assist homeowners to make their houses work for them in their older years. With this program, I have learned so many valuable and useful skills that will equip me to better address the physical and emotional components they’re dealing with as they age.

In the 20+ years I have been working in Portland’s senior living communities, I have seen the growing need for knowledgeable, compassionate professionals who are able to dive in to assist older people on their aging journeys. They are dealing with adapting to their changing medical, financial, social and emotional needs, the VAST MAJORITY of whom have no idea what to expect because SCHOOLS DON’T PREPARE US FOR GETTING OLD!

 I received my BA from UCLA; I went on to receive an AA in Interior Design from an L.A. community college; and now I’m in the middle of a 1-year certificate program in Gerontology at PCC. In other words, I am a seasoned student who has experienced all types of higher education environments, so please hear me when I say: The Gerontology Department at PCC is filled with the best, most knowledgeable, genuinely supportive, and all-around wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of being educated by. These people deliver a TOP QUALITY program that is DIRECTLY APPLICABLE to so many fields, and your administration is SHORT-SIGHTED and blatantly AGEIST for ending it. 

Look at the news and see how the world is aging. Your school, under the direction of the incomparable Jenny Sasser, Ph.D., could have been at the forefront of this growing field, but instead you’ve elected to end your ability to participate in so many related fields. I could have used my money to attend any other college I wanted to in pursuit of my gerontology career goals. I chose PCC based solely on the level of education and quality of classes the Gerontology Department offers. I have told so many people in my community about this wonderful program since I started here last Fall. Now, however, I will make it my mission to tell them how short-sighted your current administration truly is.

Your administration’s decision to end this program is a shame, but it is also TRAGIC. You had an opportunity to educate the young, middle-aged, and older adults alike in what it truly means to navigate aging in America today. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, housing, socialization/isolation, mental healthcare, and so many other areas of aging are overwhelming for so many vulnerable people. (Did you know the highest percentage of suicides in Oregon are among those over 55 years old?) The ramifications for life-long victims of racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ+ rights, the poor, the sick, and the disabled are EXPONENTIALLY increased by the pervasive ageist attitudes that are ingrained in our society, and most importantly, in the “social safety net” programs in the U.S. Up until now, PCC has been a force for fighting for equality and assistance for these people, but thanks to your decision, you aren’t anymore. Live with that.

Jackie Walsh

I am a woman in my late 50’s and newly retired from a career of 22 years at UPS as a delivery driver. I am going back to school as a second career in the field of aging. I have always had a love for our older population and now that my life has changed considerably and I have been able to retire from a more than full-time position I am following my passion.

I heard about the program while I was working with a career counselor through a retraining program and she thought this would be a great fit. Our older population is often forgotten about and as the generation of baby boomers age we are going to have more of a crisis on our hands without having the caregivers needed and trained professionals to work with this demographic. Gerontological training and education are lacking to say the least and the care people deserve is not being given. 

The PCC Gerontology Program has been amazing in bringing awareness to the situations that dementia brings to a family’s lives and to the people who are actively transitioning through this journey and skills that can be used to give each person not only the care they should have, but the dignity they deserve. If you have ever had a loved one dealing with this disease you know how desperately we need trained, compassionate and dedicated workers to care for these individuals. My dream has always been to have a group home where our older population can thrive with a zest for life and be treated with the honor they deserve. 

For me personally, (the end of the program)  may mean that I may not be able to finish what  I started and earn the certificate that I expected that I could when I started. I have had to take a slower pace and now that may mean that I don’t complete the certificate program.

I personally can’t believe that the program is being discontinued at a time when the demand will only continue to grow. If you (the ones that have decided to stop this program) ever need care you will then realize how important this program was!! Not only will you find the care you need hard to find and people not trained, but the system is so overloaded that more likely than not you will get subpar care. You may not even be able to find the care that is needed…You will wish that it could be different but know until we give this demographic the dedication and education it deserves the problem will continue. We as a country and culture must change the conversation around caregiving and aging and give it the respect it deserves. The PCC Gerontology program has been committed to this and to changing the trajectory of aging and caregiving in a way that would be impactful and make a difference. 

Unfortunately, I feel the PCC is being very short-sighted and only looking at the $$ signs and not supporting a program that is so desperately needed.

Florence Spraggins

I am an older adult now (I started working at PCC 24 years ago) and am happy to be aging along with the developmental stages that I am teaching. I have a multi-ethnic family, and I think this gives me the opportunity to see issues that may occur along racial/ethnic lines. I feel I have a special bond with my students.

I want to be able to make a difference in changing minds about aging and being old. I enjoy having a chance to give my students the information they need to purge themselves of ageism. Teaching about aging gives me a wonderful opportunity to get the correct information about aging and adult development “out there,” and hopefully all age groups in our communities will be respected and included.

I love teaching the PCC gerontology classes. It gives me an opportunity to learn more myself as I am constantly learning more for my students.

K.L.

I am a cisgender woman in my sixties, and I have been a social worker and an educator for over thirty years. Among other things, I have led community organizing efforts with those experiencing houselessness, designed curriculum for groups representing diverse lived experiences, and currently I serve as the statewide Trauma Informed Practice Manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Three weeks into the pandemic shutdown my mother died. She did not die from COVID, but from a medical system that was overwhelmed and scared and unprepared. She navigated life with dementia and no caregivers were allowed into hospitals at that time. She could not remember how to use a call button. So, to be honest, I came to the PCC Gerontology Program because I was angry and bereft. I  was seeking a Gerontology Advocacy certificate to compliment my MSW. 

What I found in PCC’s Gerontology Department was a place to learn information related to aging in a way that honored the complexity of the topic. Classes and conversations included appreciating and engaging with diversity in every sense, defining ethics, and actual application of concepts. What I had not expected from an entirely on-line, asynchronous program was the opportunity to participate in such a diverse, dedicated and insightful community. Perhaps because it is a relatively small department, relationships are strong, and networking is constant. People bloom here. When an opportunity emerged to teach within the department, I jumped at the chance. I continue to learn from my colleagues and my students at every turn.

As a part-time instructor, I am not dependent upon the income I receive through PCC. And because I have a primary career, I won’t need to search for another teaching position. What I will miss is the community of people dedicated to older adults and the issues specifically related to aging. I will miss my colleagues who continually demonstrate integrity and intelligence. I will miss the inspiring conversations with students who are called to support others who are older either professionally or as family members or as community members. There has been such an opportunity for my work worlds to ‘cross-pollinate’ one another. I bring trauma awareness training and discussions to PCC students, and my work here has helped me to design meaningful training for our Aging and People with Disabilities program. I am currently founding an Employee Resource Group at ODHS for those who are over 50 and those who see themselves as allies. That was a concept that came from my experiences as a student in the program and it is finally coming to fruition.

The decision to shut down the Gerontology Department is short-sighted, misinformed and, frankly, ageist. To imagine this will actually save the college much money is absurd. We have only one full-time employee – our Department Chair. Several courses are simply being moved into other departments (where they will continue to be paid for). We are told that gerontology-related content will be ‘folded into’ other program areas. This is so reminiscent of how we used to incorporate ‘cultural competency’ topics as an afterthought. Maybe we get to them and maybe we don’t. Your criteria for gauging diversity in our program didn’t include age (I’ve had students as young as 15 and several over 70). You did not recognize immigrants (many of whom find initial work in caregiving roles). You did not provide consideration for neurodiversity or lived experiences that have resulted in people reentering school after often decades away. You have failed to acknowledge that a shifting demographic means we will be needing a dramatic increase in trained and compassionate providers for older adults…perhaps your parents and even yourself one day.

Anonymous

I am a 57 year woman that is changing my career path to an area I feel called to which is working with the aging community with my special gifts in end-of-life care and advocacy.

What brought me to this program was my love of helping our aging population. This program is essential to providing education to support our aging population. My dream is to advocate for older people and work with those at the end of life. This program is supporting me to achieve that goal. It is teaching me where and how to go about that. In order to change the system you need to be educated about how it works. This program is doing just that.

I am in my first term at PCC. I feel that the ending of the Gerontology program is an act of ageism. Most of us in this program are older adults like me. It is truly terrible. This is sending a message that PCC doesn’t support the aging students or its aging community.

I am truly too upset to add anything more.

Anonymous

I am a student in the PCC Gerontology Program, and I identify as black mature women. I am passionate about advocating for older adults and learning about the complexities of aging. My gifts include strong empathy, a genuine desire to improve the lives of others, and an ability to connect with people from different walks of life. I’ve also developed a deep understanding of the importance of social support systems and healthcare access for the aging population. One of my challenges has been balancing the demands of my education with [work, family commitments, personal challenges, etc.], but the program’s flexibility and support systems have helped me navigate those hurdles.

The decision to discontinue the Gerontology Program feels deeply disheartening, as it not only impacts my educational journey but also the future of my career. This program has been a vital resource for me, offering a unique curriculum that blends theory with real-world application. Without it, I fear I will miss out on critical opportunities to develop expertise in a field that is only growing in importance. This decision limits my ability to gain the specialized education I need to make meaningful contributions to the aging community, and it has forced me to reconsider my professional trajectory. It is a loss not just for me, but for all who depend on well-trained professionals to address the needs of an aging population.

The discontinuation of the Gerontology Program is more than just a personal setback; it is a disservice to the communities who rely on trained professionals in this field. As our society faces an aging population, the need for dedicated and skilled individuals in gerontology is growing exponentially. The decision to end this program feels out of touch with the reality of our changing demographic needs.

 I urge those in charge to reconsider the impact of this decision and explore ways to preserve and strengthen the program, so that we can continue to provide the care, research, and advocacy that older adults deserve, especially looking through a telescopic view of the time we are heading to when the baby boomers are putting tools down. If Gerontology has never been appreciated, I am confident to say this is the time it’s going to be desperately needed.

Mike Faber

I am someone who has been working and teaching in Gerontology for half of the overall life of Gerontology as a formal academic multi-discipline. Those of us involved in this field have been preparing for many years for what exists today with the aging of the Baby Boomers. The needs in this career field have never been higher, this is why I am so confused about why the PCC administration has decided to close our nationally recognized Gerontology program. It just makes no sense.

I chose to join the PCC Gerontology Faculty in the Fall of 2015 because I wanted to be a part of such a great, nationally recognized Gerontology program. My greatest desire has always been to ignite passion in the students that I teach and inspire others to dedicate their lives to the service of older people. To dispel ageist myths and stereotypes is very important to me.

To me, the decision to end the PCC Gerontology program is shortsighted, ageist, stupid, and a huge mistake. Community colleges are designed to meet the needs of the communities that they serve. With the aging of society and the ever-increasing needs of an aging population how can the PCC administration justify ending this important program?

For me personally, this decision is devastating. I have spent my entire career trying to grow the profession of Gerontology and the ending of this program is a setback for the profession not only in Portland but nationwide. As a 61-year- old gerontologist,  this decision will effectively end my teaching career. This is not the way that I wanted to end my career as an Educational Gerontologist.

It has been my extreme privilege to have taught in this program. I love our students and my colleagues in this program and wish them all the best in the future paths that they will take.

Jenny Sasser, PhD, FAGHE

I am a gero-punk (and a practitioner of Gerontological Anarchy).  

What is a “gero-punk,” you ask?  Well, far be it from me to claim to have a definitive answer, but I will say this: to be a true punk of any sort is to live experimentally, to live in love with emergence, with the unexpected, the chaotic, the improvisatory, to live with your arms wide open to complexity, guided by your own star, fueled by a good measure of playfulness and well-intentioned rebellion.

To be a gero-punk is to bravely and critically reflect upon, interrogate, and create new ways of thinking about and experiencing the aging journey.  A gero-punk resists normative aging ideology, and challenges others to do so as well, or at least to better understand the implications of normative aging ideology before living by its rules. And as British gerontologist Simon Biggs entreats us, we resist “simple states of consciousness” about aging and later life, and choose, instead, to dwell in the messiness, the undeniable complexity, of deep human development and aging.

To be a gero-punk is to explore the art of time-travel, to learn how to be grounded simultaneously in the present while respecting (and learning from) the past and dreaming the future.

To be a gero-punk is to find one’s tribe – human and non-human members included– and to gather the tribe close so as to travel together through the life course, “with my will intact to go wherever I need to go, and every stone on the road precious to me” (to echo poet Stanley Kunitz).

To be a gero-punk is to possess the audacious belief that we are, all of us, legitimate makers of meaning, and so too are all other creatures. That our own precious lives provide the grounds from which understandings emerge. What this also means is that we acknowledge what we can’t possibly know prior to lived experience. For example, I may have been a gerontologist for more than half my life, but I’m yet to be an old gerontologist. I have no expertise on old age, so I best rely on the old experts themselves. But as a gero-punk, I can choose to try on different ways of moving through the world so as to develop empathy for and imagination about aging experiences I’ve yet to (or may never) experience.

As gero-punks, we place our attention and awareness upon odd, unexpected, flummoxing, and contradictory aging experiences; we accept our own experiences and those of others as sacred and real, if yet (or perhaps always) unexplainable. We celebrate the way human life always finds a way to spill over the edges of our attempts to simplify, categorize, and contain its wildness.

And, as gero-punks, we practice the seemingly contradictory spiritual discipline of asking questions about the meanings of all of this, of this wild and fantastic and unfolding aging journey, without always giving into the overwhelming need to engage in analysis, nor with attachment to finding answers to even our most pressing, persistent questions.  Rather, we rejoice in the spilling-forth of yet more questions, we let the questions carry us away.

Finally (well, at least for now), let me assert that gero-punks are committed to taking gerontological anarchy out to the streets, to engaging in meaningful, transformative learning for all humans, of all ages, outside of the academy, not only inside of it.