Aging is a disruptive force in many countries and economies. However, global aging is not simply a story of ‘more.’ The new disruptive demographics of aging is not your grandfather's old age.

In 1900, life expectancy for much of the industrialized world was under 50. Today, living well into one's 70s, 80s and beyond can be expected. How will we spend and make the most of our 30-year longevity bonus?

These new demographics require a radical new view of the changing definition of "old age" and the impact upon society, business strategy and innovation.

Based within MIT’s School of Engineering’s Engineering Systems Division, the AgeLab has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, business partners, universities, and the aging community to design, develop and deploy innovations that touch nearly all aspects of how we will live, work and play tomorrow.

This invitational gathering held on Oct. 5, 2012 in Cambridge, Massachusetts (and sponsored by AARP) assembled subject matter experts in healthcare, urban planning, design, transportation and culture to examine three topics for research:

- Housing & the Future of Home
- Retail & the Future of Shopping
- Building the Age Ready Community