Rosanne Leipzig

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States

Title: Redefining Aging: My Guiding Principles

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Biography

Rosanne Leipzig is the Ritter Professor and Vice Chair, Emerita of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai School. In her 40+ year career, she has treated thousands of patients and trained hundreds of doctors and practitioners in all specialties of medicine, received numerous awards, been repeatedly named as one of the Best Doctors in America, and served on the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her 2023 book, Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life, has sold over 25,000 copies. She is also the editor-in-chief of Focus on Healthy Aging, a monthly newsletter. 

Abstract

Redefining aging is critical. I’m a 75-year-old Geriatrician whose goal is an engaged, enjoyable and meaningful old age for all. New science, innovation, attitudes and behaviors are needed. I propose 5 principles to guide this work; the vast majority of this conference’s sessions fit one or more. 1) Aging begins at Birth U.S. risk factors for premature death are estimated at 7% environmental,11% medical, 24% social circumstances, 36% individual behavior, and 22% genetics and biology 1) For all to benefit, each of these areas need to be addressed. 2) 80 is not 50. Aging is change. We walk slower, react differently to medications, develop incontinence, pot bellies, and dehydrate without feeling thirst. We need to ‘right-size’ our expectations as we redefine aging. 3) The Geriatric 5M’s:  Matters Most, Mind, Mobility, Medications, and Multicomplexity. Geriatricians and older adults prioritize optimizing these, especially what matters most to the individuals 4) Strive for Interdependence, not independence. Interdependence means keeping one’s eye on what really matters, and allowing others (people, things, services) to help, whether it’s using a wheelchair to get to a concert, or having an aid (human, robotic, virtual) so you can age at home. 5) Combat Ageism  Older adults are often stereotyped and treated as senile, incompetent, rigid, or childlike. This is harmful: people with positive perceptions of aging live longer and are in better shape. When working with and for older adults, be positive and partner actively with them. As the disability community puts it:“ Nothing About Me Without Me”.