When people think about solutions to America’s biggest challenges—like health, loneliness, the economy, and workplace productivity—they often imagine a billion-dollar program or a breakthrough medication. But what if the answer is far simpler? In this episode of This is Getting Old, I introduce you to Tim Driver, who explains why simply allowing people to work longer—if they want to—may be one of the most powerful solutions we have.

Tim shared this presentation during our Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit, an annual event hosted by the GW Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities along with our age-friendly partners across the region. This summit brings together leaders who are finding creative ways to address the challenges of an aging population, and Tim’s perspective shows how rethinking work and aging can spark meaningful change.

His central argument is clear: enabling older adults to remain in the workforce by choice benefits everyone. For individuals, it means better health, stronger financial security, and greater social engagement. For employers, it creates a reliable, experienced talent pool, stronger retention, and even higher customer satisfaction. And for policymakers, it supports healthier populations, a stronger GDP, and a group of citizens who remain active and engaged.

The data Tim shared backs this up. Older adults who continue working or volunteering are four times more socially engaged, reducing the risks of loneliness and poor health. Surveys also show that when flexible options like part-time schedules or remote work are available, people are willing to delay retirement by as much as five years. That shift can have enormous effects on both communities and the broader economy.

But Tim also pointed out that this is a two-way street. Employers must address age bias and create flexible, welcoming environments. At the same time, older adults need to stay open, adaptable, and ready to learn. He even introduced the idea of the “slungo”—an older adult who resists change, clings to the past, and reinforces negative stereotypes. To make progress, both sides have to work together.

By the end of this episode, one thing becomes clear: working longer, when it’s a choice, doesn’t just help older adults. It benefits families, businesses, communities, and the economy as a whole. If you’re interested in learning more, I invite you to join our GW Center for Aging community through our website or our Facebook group, Building Age-Friendly Ecosystems. Together, we can keep moving toward a world where age is not a barrier but a strength. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Melissa B PhD, for more insights on dementia care and aging.