"Positive Aging Through Resilience" - Claire Halverson
Gerontologists have added a new characteristic to defining successful aging—how people face the ordinary challenges of aging, and the strengths and capacities to carry them through adversities. This new characteristic is called resilience. Studies looking at those who had achieved successful aging found that lifestyle factors more than genes determines how one ages. Resilience is summarized by the American Psychological Association as "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress or “bouncing back” from difficult experiences.” When shot by a disgruntled former employee, Dennis Charney, MD, dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and president of academic affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System, knew that his recovery would be difficult. Still, he could become a role model to others. Co-author of the book Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges (2012), Dr. Charney provides insight on resilience, and applies everything he learned on his path to recovery.
— Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, President, Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System
Additional coverage:The Commons
