Dr Denise Taylor, a chartered psychologist, has challenged the prevailing narrative around 'ageing successfully', stating that it can make growing older feel like another job people are expected to perform. Taylor, who is 69, researches and writes about later life.
Her comments follow reflections by Jo Brand on approaching 70, which Taylor found refreshing for not presenting ageing as a self-improvement project. Taylor noted that older women are as varied and individual as they have ever been, with some still working and others having left employment.
Taylor emphasised that while looking after one's health is important, ageing should not be a competition. She advocates for more freedom in how individuals choose to grow older, rather than instruction on how to age successfully.