The New Old Age: In Conversation with Veteran Journalist Paula Span

What does it mean to be old, and why do we hesitate to use the word? New York Times columnist Paula Span joins Robin Strongin to talk about aging, caregiving and the stories she has covered in The New Old Age since 2009. Paula explains how she checks health information and why she returns to earlier stories as medical evidence changes. She also shares what she is learning while writing a book about people in their 80s. Too often, she says, research groups them with everyone over 65, missing what makes this stage of life distinct. One person she met is an 81-year-old teacher whose work still gives her a sense of purpose. Robin and Paula discuss ageism and the value of spending time with people of different generations. Robin shares her experience caring for her husband after his dementia diagnosis, and she and Paula talk about how speaking openly can reduce stigma.