Published on June 11, 2025 — By Jonathan J. Kaufman, GIA Longevity Advisory Board
In a world that often prioritizes speed, youth, and innovation, a quiet revolution is taking place—led by older adults. In his latest article, “The Creative Age: How Older Adults Are Redefining Culture, Connection, and the Global Economy,” Jonathan J. Kaufman explores how the elderly are not just living longer, but living more creatively, more connectedly, and more meaningfully than ever before.
From the rise of elder creators in digital platforms to powerful stories that intersect age, disability, and mental health, this article positions older adults not as passive recipients of care, but as active agents of cultural transformation and economic vitality.
With global longevity economies projected to reach $118 trillion by 2050, the article highlights examples like TikTok’s Barbara “Babs” Costello, 96-year-old international model Daphne Selfe, and Nigerian cultural teacher Dora Olubunmi, showing that aging is not a retreat from relevance—but a new frontier of creativity.