Episode 20:5 Dr. Connie Corley on “Gerotranscendence” and the Gifts of Growing Older

Professor Emerita Connie Corley, PhD, talks about the evolution of the positive aging movement and how embracing change, conscious awareness, and perspective are keys to aging well.

About Connie

Connie Corley, MSW, MA, PhD has a long history in the fields of gerontology/geriatrics as a graduate of University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She co-created the doctoral concentration in Creative Longevity and Wisdom in the School of Leadership Studies at Fielding Graduate University and is Professor Emerita at California State University, Los Angeles as well as Fielding.

A Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education, she has engaged in multiple programs as a mentor and leader in curriculum development and co-founded and directed a lifelong learning program in Los Angeles for over 10 years. Recent work involves creativity in later life (emerging from a national study of Holocaust survivors) and intergenerational/intercultural mutual mentoring. Her website for coaching and podcast archives is https://conniecorleyphd.org/.

• Key Takeaways
  The field of positive aging emerged from positive psychology looking at is ways in which humans can live life more fully.
• Conscious aging means doing an internal audit, examining experiences, and gaining greater awareness. Becoming aware means living in the moment, mindfully.
• “Gerotranscendence” is spending time in reflection and having perspective to step back and look at the larger dimensions of life. It is an act of consciousness to step aside from worrying and ruminating and become aware of those negative thoughts.
• Do more of nothing. It is a gift of growing older to have fewer professional commitments.
• The four different dimensions the 4A Plus Model of positive aging are Wellness, Affiliation, Attitude and Awareness.