In the spring of 2010, the Stanford Center on Longevity convened a group of the world’s leading scientists in the area of sedentary behavior science. The group reached a consensus that the science had reached a state where extended sitting could be declared a health risk separate and independent from lack of exercise, although it was too early to resolve the question “how much is too much?” and what the definitive casual mechanisms might be. The press picked up these results and soon declared that “sitting is the new smoking.” In May of 2018, the Baker Institute in Melbourne, Australia and the University of Minnesota brought many of the scientists from the 2010 event back together, along with a number of new voices focused on sedentary research. The meeting served to update the state of sedentary behavior science, as well as promote discussion about unanswered questions and future directions for the field.

How can older workers plan for retirement given that most employers no longer offer traditional pension plans? Deciding if you have enough savings to retire and how to deploy your savings in retirement is a complex task that is beyond the abilities of most older workers. Center on Longevity Research Scholar Steve Vernon recently testified on retirement income strategies to the U.S. Department of Labor’s ERISA Advisory Council. He suggests that employers offer a limited menu of options that older workers can use to simply ‘check the box’ to convert their 401(k) retirement savings into lifetime retirement income.

This year’s challenge focuses on building longevity solutions with cross-generational teams. $17,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, and finalists will receive paid travel to Stanford, where they will present their designs to renowned industry, academic, and government leaders. For the first time, this year’s Challenge requires that the teams themselves be multi-generational, helping students to view other generations as contributors and equal team members. Designers will work to create products, services, and programs that encourage people of all ages to come together.

Chip Conley describes himself as hotelier, author, social alchemist, disruptor, student, sage and has now added “modern elder” to the list. After selling Joie de Vivre, the hospitality company he started at 27, Chip found himself at age 52, in a new role at Airbnb, no longer a CEO and reporting to someone 21 years his junior. The experience of being in a new role, in a new company with new norms and lingo, shaped Chip’s thinking about how older workers can contribute to and grow in a rapidly changing workplace. His new book Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder, describes his experience and those of many others as they adapt a new mindset and take on a new role -- the role of the "Modern Elder." We had a chance to interview Chip, on his experiences and his new book.

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