Paula Span, a columnist for The New York Times Health section, has been focusing on the topic of aging for about 15 years. Her column, The New Old Age, delves into issues affecting older Americans, such as the costs of growing older, the use of robotic pets as companions, and the dangers of misinformation on social media.
Span’s interest in aging was sparked when she reported on residents at an assisted-living facility in Bethesda, Md., back in 2002. This experience led her to spend more time with older people and ultimately write her first book, “When the Time Comes,” which explores the struggles of families with aging parents.
In a recent phone interview, Span, who is 74 years old, shared that a good column for her is one that addresses a national trend or development rooted in fact, science, and research that affects a large group of people. With over 60 million people over the age of 65 in the United States, the topics related to aging are diverse and continually interesting.
Over the years, Span has seen changes in her column’s audience and finds it important to read every reader comment on her articles. Despite initially thinking she might run out of material after a few years, she continues to find a wealth of topics to explore in her column.
The New Old Age column not only sheds light on the challenges faced by older Americans but also serves as a platform for discussing important issues such as living arrangements, Medicare and insurance policies, health, and end-of-life concerns. Span’s dedication to covering these topics has made her column a valuable resource for readers seeking information and insight on aging-related issues.