B5 Wisdom and Optimal Aging—
Carolyn Aldwin and Rick Levenson

The greatest demographic challenge facing the world in the next 50 years is the “silver tsunami”—the huge projected increase in the number of seniors worldwide. Learn how optimal aging, including physical, cognitive, psychological, and social health—along with wisdom—can be harnessed to help individuals and societies face this problem.

Carolyn Aldwin, PhD, is a professor of the Human Development and Family Sciences department at Oregon State University. She is the author of three books including Stress, Coping, and Development, 2nd ed. (Guilford Press); Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging (Sage); and the Handbook of Health Psychology and Aging (Guilford Press); as well as over 90 journal articles and book chapters.

Rick Levenson, PhD, is an associate professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University. He received his PhD in personality and social psychology from the University of California, Irvine. His recent work has been devoted to a long-standing interest in higher levels of adult development. Levenson has spent the last 40 years studying and practicing contemplative psychologies with a personal commitment to Sufism and Buddhism, and the last 10 years heading a wisdom research project at UC Davis and Oregon State University. His most recent research focuses on adult development among contemplative nuns, both Christian and Buddhist. He has more than 50 publications.

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