"Old age is the only stage of life that we never grow out of."

G. Stanley Hall anticipated the development of gerontology, and his critique of the marginalization of the elderly still resonates today.

Granville Stanley Hall (2/1/1846 - 4/24/1924) was a pioneering American psychologist and educator.  His interests focused on childhood development and evolutionary theory.  Hall was the founder and first president of the American Psychological Association and the first president of Clark University ...

After his retirement in 1920, Hall wrote [Senescence] a...volume on aging.  This important account has been labeled “prophetic” in its recognition of an emerging “crisis of aging” in the 20th century, in which longer lifespan, narrowing family roles, and expulsion from the workforce combined to dramatically isolate the elderly and restrict their active participation in public life.

Hall railed against this process, arguing that the wisdom conferred by old age meant that the elderly had valuable and creative contributions to make to society.  Yet, the stigma of aging meant that, instead, many were engaged in the foolish pursuit of youth, trying to avoid being excluded from full participation in their communities.  In the conclusion of the book, Hall expressed a tangible sense of personal anger against this form of discrimination.

His stirring call for a better understanding of the aging process anticipated the development of gerontology, and his critique of the marginalization of the elderly still resonates today.

(Wikipedia, 1/25/2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Stanley_Hall)

Are you prepared - personally & financially - for the last, great stage of your life?  

​Long-term care planning helps people stay engaged in life even as they face the limitations that may come with a need for extended care.