Age Well: Online community created to talk about what you don't want to talk about..Aging

Are you afraid of getting older? Or are you prepared for what life will bring you?
No matter you’re your answer is, you’ll find others who feel the same way. There’s a great new online community initiative called GettingOld.com that wants to hear about how you feel about aging.

It was started by drug manufacturer, Pfizer (yes, that’s right, the makers of Viagra).

The site features a questionnaire asking readers how they feel about getting older. There are four options to choose from: optimistic; angry; prepared; and uneasy. You can click on whichever one suits you and you have an opportunity to share your personal story.

Along with your testimonial, you can also add a video or photo and comment on other posts or share posts through Facebook and Twitter.

Something in common
As humans, we share one common trait. As Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, Pfizer’s chief medical officer states, “We all have one thing in common - each day we get older. At every age and stage of our lives, we can make choices and take actions that will help us live longer and better. There are so many positive role models today who are changing how people think about aging.”

The gettingold.com site is unique in another way. The site equally validates the positive and the negative aspects of aging.
Aging may not be all rosy and silver linings; however, it’s not the end of the world either. We’re able to get a multifaceted perspective from people of all ages and with varying degrees of attitudes.

The good, the bad and the ugly
But the site is special in another way. It seeks to create a dialogue on an unappealing topic. If we’re to remove the fear and anxiety and associated with aging, we need to talk openly about it – the good the bad and the ugly aspects of aging – so we can greet it head on.

Aging is a natural progression and no matter how we fight it and hide from it, it will always be with us.
Let’s the get conversation moving so we can begin to change our attitudes toward aging. We can’t be afraid of aging anymore.

Check out www.gettingolder.com and share your story.

Originally published by InsideToronto.com September 27, 2012 at http://www.zuza.com/blogs/post/1310766-age-well-online-community-created-to-talk-about-what-you-don-t-want-to-talk-about-aging/