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Tom Meuser, Ph.D., founding director of the Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (CEAH), co-authored a letter with Heather DiYenno, director of the Institute for Integrative Aging at Saint Joseph’s College, that was recently published in the .

In the letter, titled “Coronavirus offers lessons on aging and health,” Meuser and DiYenno comment that the wellbeing of older adults is front and center in our public consciousness during the coronavirus outbreak, creating a cultural shift.

They write, “American culture tends to emphasize youth, vitality, beauty, and accomplishments of body and mind. These terms can be applied at any age, of course, but our discourse on aging often leans to the negative. Inaccurate and often harmful ‘old person’ stereotypes pale in the present crisis, replaced by honest valuing and care for our aging neighbors.”

They go on to thank readers by saying, “As Maine faces one of its biggest public health challenges, we are struck by the deep commitment and shared purpose uniting our communities. This mobilization is both astounding and gratifying to witness.”