We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Temperley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

We are incredibly excited about new technologies and how they are impacting the ability for older adults to stay engaged and active. We have been bringing virtual reality (VR) to senior living communities for a little while but recently have begun offering classes in VR at Thrive Pavilion, a senior center in Meta’s Horizon Worlds. Older adults from all over the country put on their headsets and gather at Thrive Pavilion for a variety of classes, discussion groups, fun activities and opportunities to socialize.

Many of these participants are active in their outside world but a few have disabilities or limitations and may find themselves bed or wheelchair bound. VR is allowing them a chance to move through the world just like their peers and experience things that they normally would not be able to. One of our recent participants is a double amputee and shared that in VR she is able to walk and travel and move around just like everyone else. It has changed her life.

Over time, we hope to see VR headsets designed in a way that is more comfortable for older adults but also with adaptations that allow ease of use for those who aren’t as tech savvy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After many years working with older adults in the nonprofit and social services sectors, my husband Damien and I found ourselves with an idea to create positive, engaging classes for older adults- the kinds of classes that we hoped to have access to as we aged. In 2016, we launched Aging is Cool and after a little trial and error, we found gap in the market and a model that worked.

Today, Aging is Cool is a provider of innovative and results-driven wellness and recreational programs for older adults. We partner with senior living communities to enhance their lifestyle programs and improve the health and well-being of their residents. Our programs are designed to help residents thrive, and to provide them with opportunities to socialize and connect with others. We offer over 100 classes with in-person instructors including fitness, lifelong learning, brain games, art, music and discussion groups.

Our work is rooted in anti-ageism and a great respect for older adults and their ability to continue to grow and contribute throughout their lifespan.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Early on, we had a great idea to run a summer camp for older adults. It was your traditional summer camp with archery, sing-alongs, crafts, canoeing and bunk beds! We loved the idea. It was fun, innovative and not being done for this population. We threw our heart and soul into it. What could be more fun!

Lots of folks told us they were interested. People from around the country responded positively to our marketing and outreach. Wow! What a great idea! Despite the buzz, we had a terrible time getting people to actually enroll. Camp finally arrived and we only had 15 participants (needed 30 to make it profitable.) Feedback was the camp was a blast. The media went crazy with it. We had articles all over the world including Japan and Canada.

The next year, we were ready to try it again with the buzz and some lessons to support us. The next time we offered it, we had 6 enroll. That was our last camp.

One of the big lessons we learned here is that just because people are excited about something (or you are) doesn’t mean that it is a profitable venture. I can’t tell you how many more “brilliant” ideas we have had over the years but when you put a pen to paper, work out the numbers, factor in the costs of marketing and outreach, and actually survey potential participants you may find that it’s just not a business venture.

Do we still love the idea of camp? You bet! Every few years, my heart tells me to try again and then Damien reminds me of where we have been. It might be a great nonprofit program in the future.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Aging is Cool is a mission and values-based company. We are deeply focused on respect for older adults, collaboration and connection, and giving back. A few key things have been helpful to us in building our culture and reputation.

We take time to get to know sites, the lifestyle directors and residents we serve. This allows us to customize programming for their needs. What works in one location, may not work in the next. All of our programming can be adapted to the needs of the residents as we know that one size does not fit all.

We value and take good care of our staff. Their wellbeing and enjoyment is crucial to providing good programming. We make the work as fun, convenient and positive as possible. Our staff works remotely so it is important for us to check in regularly as well as remind them the positive impact of what they do.

Finally, we give back to the community. We always wanted to be able to serve people regardless of their ability to pay. We have a nonprofit fund so we are able to provide free classes for low income communities or support special projects to make the lives of older adults better in the cities we serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.agingiscool.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/agingiscool
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/agingiscool
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-temperley/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/agingiscool1