Exceeding 
Expectations

Average life expectancy in New York City is 81. And yet, our societal expectations of people in later life are low, acceptable roles are limited and images of aging are often one-dimensional.

In 2015, we searched far and wide for 20 New Yorkers from all different circumstances and backgrounds who have both exceeded life expectancy and who are disrupting commonly-held expectations of what it means to grow old.

​

For two years, we introduced you to a woman who cares for her 1-year-old great-grandchild in a country unfamiliar to her, a man who was in prison for 30+ years and is trying to make up for lost time and an optometrist who has retired four times but keeps returning to work.

​

The project, through writing, photography and video, explored how people find purpose in later life and how their environment and circumstances make it easier or more challenging to do so. Their stories are filled with mystery, drama, wisdom and search for meaning.

​

Exceeding Expectations was a project of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. It was led by Dorian Block, a journalist, and Ruth Finkelstein, an anthropologist and health policy expert. It was funded by the New York Community Trust. We partnered with more than a dozen media outlets to disseminate these stories.

​

We encourage you to share any story or photo you find interesting. Please also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

To reach the Exceeding Expectations team, write to: info@exceedingexpectations.nyc. Thank you!