It’s a simple, but profound idea. Have older adults document their own experience of aging first-hand in photography, writing and interviews. The initiative, Age Looks at Aging (ALAA), aims to perform this insightful process.
California portrait and celebrity photographer Brian Braff proposed this new and exciting idea, pointing out that, in all the extensive literature on aging, no one has ever asked older people, in any organized way, to document their own experience of it.
"The project, Age Looks at Aging, is doing something that hasn't been done before - empowering older adults to contribute in a very meaningful and poignant way to the literature of aging," said Braff. "To me, it’s simply unbelievable that this hasn’t been done before."
To begin, Brookdale Senior Living, one of the leading providers of senior living in the nation, has teamed up with Braff on this project. The Brookdale communities Ocean House and The Gardens of Santa Monica, both independent and assisted living communities in Santa Monica, have residents that are participating in ALAA.
Two meetings each week are scheduled in each of the communities. Braff secured the sponsorship of Samy’s Camera and Nikon and provides cameras, tape recorders, and all the support the residents need to tell their stories.
"We are grateful and delighted to be presented with the opportunity to be the first ones to do this," said Sara Terry, senior vice president of Optimum Life® for Brookdale Senior Living. "By participating, residents gain a purposeful opportunity to transform the conversation about aging, adding – at long last - the voices of those who are most knowledgeable and affected by it."
Brookdale Senior Living is committed to providing the opportunity of living an Optimum Life to its residents and associates. Optimum Life is a way of life exclusively for Brookdale Senior Living residents and associates in which whole person wellness is achieved through fulfillment in six key dimensions - physical, emotional, purposeful, social, spiritual, and intellectual. Through the six dimensions of wellness, opportunities are provided for residents and associates to choose a healthy lifestyle that adds value and fulfillment to their lives.
"Every time I meet with the participants, look at their work, and share it with others, I become re-inspired and energized to work even harder to bring their contributions to the world," said Braff. "As this project has developed, I just keep getting more enthusiastic, and actually can't wait for each meeting because they are always so stimulating and enjoyable."
Below is an excerpt of an interview between a resident of Ocean House, Anne Jordan, 91, with fellow a fellow resident, Phyllis Smith, 84:
Jordan: Do you have dreams?
Smith: Oh, yes, of course. But, I wouldn’t say that one is more important than the other. Do I dote about them, or worry about them? I just live day to day and do the best I can.
Jordan: What do you feel was you’re proud of – what occupation – of what you have accomplished in your life? What was your most favorite?
Smith: Living.
According to Braff, for the project to have real validity, it needs to include all kinds of people, from poor to privileged, active to living with disabilities, those living alone and people living in more social environments, and people living in different communities and cultures.
"Some people's experience of aging is incredibly sad. But, in almost all cases, aging seems to be complicated," said Braff. "As Betty Davis said, it's not for sissies."
For more information on the project, and to see pictures, visit www.agelooksataging.com, currently under construction and set to be up in January 2010. For more information on Brookdale Senior Living, its communities, and its residents, visit .
Back to Press Room