Tag: well-being

Longevity isn’t the prize if the years aren’t lived with joy, purpose and real connection. In a recent episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, Derek talked with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a nationally recognized gerontologist, author of the New York Times bestselling JoySpan, and a longtime leader in aging research, policy and elder abuse prevention.

They unpacked why joy is deeper than situational happiness, how many strengths actually improve with age, and why most of the aging experience is shaped more by choices than genes.

The following are some fresh perspectives from the conversation. Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE JOYSPAN?

I had been a gerontologist for more than 30 years, and for the first 20 I worked with people in the roughest situations—elder abuse, financial exploitation, profound loneliness. I realized we were waiting too long. The research shows us what fortifies people for long lives, but that information wasn’t getting out in a readable, everyday book. I wanted to fortify people internally the way we try to fortify our bodies externally.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE JOY IS A CRITICAL MEASURE OF AGING WELL?

Lifespan is how long you live, healthspan is how many of those years are healthy, but something was missing—the well-being component. The American Psychological Association defines joy as well-being and satisfaction. Joy isn’t toxic positivity. Happiness is circumstantial, but joy can exist even in challenge because it’s inside out. And I don’t know any older adults who haven’t had significant challenges.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT JOY AND AGING?

One misconception is that aging well is about luck or genetics. Research shows genetics only predict about 13 to 25 percent of our aging experience. Most of it is up to us. Another misconception is that joy has to look like a big smile. It doesn’t. Joy can be quiet contentment. And another is that you’re just born with it—that there are Eeyores and Tiggers. What I’ve seen is that people can learn this.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE AND MEASURE “JOYSPAN”?

The measures come from decades of research on psychological well-being, but one thing was missing—adaptability. When I brought that in, it became clear there are four components people who thrive in longevity share. They are verbs, not traits: growing, connecting, adapting, and giving. People who invest in those areas tend to enjoy very long lives.

Want to hear more from Dr. Burnight? Check out the full episode of Roundtable Talk for more fresh perspectives. Watch new episodes of Roundtable Talk on the Varsity website and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

QUOTES

“We have been fed a steady diet of inaccurate information about growing older, and that information is that it’s all decline. And the truth is in the literature that there are many things that get better as you get older. We don’t care as much what people think about us, we appreciate our connections more, and we have greater potential for problem solving.” (Dr. Burnight)

“I’ve just been amazed by, like, who would think that a book on aging would become a New York Times bestseller? I mean, that’s where people are in recognizing these 100-year lives and recognizing that the status quo is not sufficient.” (Dr. Burnight)

“There were times where I had my head down on the keyboard crying because it was so hard because I wanted to bring in all the research, but I also wanted to make it really readable. And so I just kept thinking, simplify, simplify.” (Dr. Burnight)

“When I realized that the American Psychological Association defines joy as well-being and satisfaction, it made me realize that joy isn’t this like happy, happy, you know. It’s the opposite of toxic positivity.” (Dr. Burnight)

“What they said is that happiness is often circumstantially dependent, whereas joy can exist even in challenge because it’s an inside out phenomena. And that was an ah-ha moment for me.” (Dr. Burnight)

“I don’t know any older adults who haven’t had significant challenges. That is the nature of being a human. And we’re going to have those challenges. So it isn’t that we’re going to control for everything. That’s impossible. It’s that we’re going to find a way to have joy anyway.” (Dr. Burnight)

“What the research shows us is that genetics predicts between 13% and 25% of our aging experience. So the vast majority is up to us.” (Dr. Burnight)

“One utterly suffered, and it was such a rough road, and it was really hard to be around her. And then the other one had found this ability to be content, and we couldn’t get enough of her… we watched that it is possible to walk with grief and joy.” (Dr. Burnight)

NOTES

Dr. Kerry Burnight is a nationally recognized gerontologist, author, speaker and advocate with more than three decades of experience working with older adults and families. Her work focuses on aging, joy, well-being, elder abuse prevention and redefining longevity beyond decline.

Dr. Burnight is the author of JoySpan, a New York Times bestseller that reframes aging by emphasizing joy, adaptability and meaning alongside lifespan and healthspan. She is also a co-founder of the Elder Abuse Forensic Center and a leader in research-driven aging policy and practice.

Joy is not fleeting happiness but a deeper sense of well-being that can coexist with hardship and challenge.

Genetics play a smaller role in aging outcomes than commonly believed, with most of the aging experience shaped by behavior and mindset.

Joy and well-being can be intentionally built through daily practices, much like physical health.

People who thrive in long lives consistently invest in growth, connection, adaptability and contribution.

Aging is not solely defined by decline; many cognitive, emotional and relational strengths improve with age.

Gratitude and attention shape perception, influencing both mood and social connection.

Loneliness is best addressed through proactive effort, including initiating relationships rather than waiting to be invited.

Society, policy and senior living environments must move away from infantilizing older adults and toward dignity, choice and purpose.

Longevity isn’t just measured in years, it’s measured in independence. The emerging science of aging shows that emotional health, resilience, and social connection are just as powerful as blood pressure or cholesterol when it comes to predicting how long and how well we live. 

These “soft measures” may sound intangible, but they can reveal early signs of decline long before traditional medical tests do. giving individuals and communities the chance to intervene early and preserve independence. 

That insight was at the center of Dr. Kathleen Potempa’s conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable. As founder of HealthyLifetime, Dr. Potempa and her team are redefining how we measure and maintain wellness in later life through tools like the Independent Living Index, which tracks the factors that most influence long-term vitality.  Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

SOFT MEASURES REVEAL HIDDEN RISK 

Self-reported well-being factors like purpose, resilience, and life satisfaction can uncover “insidious risks” that traditional medical tests miss—allowing communities to intervene before decline begins.

WELL-BEING IS THE NEW LONGEVITY STRATEGY 

Decades of research show that emotional health, social connection, and resilience aren’t just feel-good factors, they’re strong predictors of longevity, independence, and reduced mortality.

RESILIENCE BUILDS REAL STRENGTH 

Mental and emotional resilience create both psychological and physical benefits, helping older adults think clearly, make healthier choices, and stay “heartier” over time.

CONNECTION IS MEDICINE 

Social engagement literally strengthens the body. Meaningful relationships help regulate stress, boost immunity, and protect against decline, proving that community is a biological need, not a luxury.

TRACKING WELL-BEING DRIVES ACTION 

HealthyLifetime’s Independent Living Index turns soft data into actionable insight. It helps communities measure risk, track improvement, and show tangible outcomes that resonate with residents and families.

REVENTION IS THE FUTURE OF AGING 

The shift from treating illness to preventing decline is underway. HealthyLifetime’s expansion as an independent company signals a new era where aging well means living longer, healthier, and more independently.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.