May 14, 2025
The No Fear Lifestyle for Older Adults Flips the Script on Aging
A recent documentary on PBS-TV showcased the life of California surfing pioneer and icon, Dick Metz, who was the inspiration behind the classic 1966 surf culture film, “Endless Summer.” At age 90 when this new documentary was made, Metz retraced his global wanderlust steps of almost 60 years ago talking passionately about his pursuit of “the perfect wave.” It is proof that pursuing a dream is ageless.
Poster for Laguna Beach screening of PBS Documentary, Dick Metz
Around the same time as Metz was causing me to reach for my old Beach Boy vintage vinyls, our Chief Marketing Officer at Theora Care, Shelley Symonds, had just returned from a European business trip where she presented on our latest technology which has catapulted us into being the only U.S.-based company in the finals of the prestigious Longitude Prize on Dementia challenge. She was inspired by some of the audience and speakers who were adults living fearlessly with dementia and she used the words “no fear” to describe how our products helped older adults overcome the fear of falling and the fear of wandering if they have dementia.
This discussion of “no fear” sparked our marketing team to create a social media and video storytelling campaign in support of May’s Older Americans Month (OAM). The theme for this year’s OAM celebration is “flip the script.” Suddenly it all came together: the surf pioneers of the ‘60s lived with no fear and were similar to how we want to help flip the script for older adults to live with no fear. Thus, our Theora No Fear Campaign was born as a new way to talk about AgeTech but also a message that you can still be a dreamer at any age.
It’s All About Hamburgers, the Hairdresser and Horses
The realities of growing older are that one in four adults age 65+ will experience a fall and 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander. This creates challenges for the millions of older adults who want to remain living independently at home and for family caregivers who worry about not being there should a crisis happen.
As the son and long-distance caregiver to my 88-year-old mother, I worry about her living alone. In fact, she was a role model for why our smart wearable technology ensures communication and connection is automatic should something such as a fall happen. But, like most caregivers, I cannot agonize over the “what ifs” on a daily basis. And, I want my mom to continue to drive down the hill from her mountainside home to grab a hamburger, get her hair done, or feel okay as she walks to the neighbors to feeds their horses. After all, that brings her joy. And, her Theora Connect smartwatch brings me peace of mind.
Studies show that we reach our peak happiness levels in life in our late 70s and 80s – in fact it seems that life is more uphill than downhill after our mid-50s. And while happiness is personalized and influenced by varying factors including health status and socioeconomic measurements, it appears that those who live longer have found adaptive coping mechanisms for traditional views on aging that make life more positive and joyful. Researchers have also found that 70-year-olds tend to say they feel more like they are 56-60. A recent Washington Post article showcased how older adults see themselves differently than previous generations. Older but not old.
No Fear Flips the Script on Ageism (and AI)
According to the American Society on Aging, ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) toward others or oneself based on age.
Instead of focusing on the frailties of aging, our No Fear Campaign focuses on helping older adults live boldly. The secret to living longer, healthier and happier is learning how to not abandon your passions but how to adapt your lifestyle to still experience them. And overcoming fears of things like falls or wandering is part of the solution to maintain quality of life QoL).
Dave Metz, now 96, is still traveling to find the perfect wave. Martha Stewart, age 82, is our latest supermodel appearing on the cover of the swimsuit issue for Sports Illustrated. Mick Jagger, age 81, is still owning the stage at sold-out concerts. Harriette Thompson, at age 92, became the oldest marathon runner in U.S. history. And, a brave astronaut, the late John Glenn said it best when he went back into space at age 77, three decades after his first spaceflight, “Old people have dreams, too.”
When I think about age and dreams that is really what our situational awareness advanced technology platform and products are all about at Theora Care. We design with older adults and family caregivers to deliver solutions that help enhance quality of life. But, as so many startup companies in AgeTech know, there are a lot of innovative products available, the challenge is how to cut through all the noise to get attention.
There is also trepidation for some older adults on the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Overcoming the fears of technology by having trust in the company and product you use is critical. We hold our customer’s data and privacy as vital to our business practices and do not use their information in any way other than to improve their quality of life and help their caregivers know more about their loved one’s needs.
For us, getting older can be a time for exploration, adventure, chasing dreams and passion projects. It is also a time to stay socially engaged and not have health concerns become a barrier to those dreams. Join us as we flip the script to help older adults and their family caregivers live with No Fear.
Note: We welcome organizations and individuals to join the Theora #NoFear movement. Find our social media tool kit here and post your photos, videos using the #NoFear hashtag. You can also connect with us by emailing nofear@theoracare.com.