New documentary makes you think twice about aging

“If I knew now what I’ll know then, would I change anything?”

The answer, which is also the opening line in the new documentary “Fast-Forward,” is a resounding “Yes!” But for many, aging is out of their control.

In “Fast-Forward,” director Michael Eric Hurtig follows four millennials and their parents as they travel through time. From wearing an MIT-produced ‘aging empathy suit’ to working with professional make-up artists to get a glimpse of how they’ll look in the future, these individuals navigate the realizations, conversations and mindset required to age successfully.

“Many of the themes discussed in this film are the issues we grapple with every day as we care for an aging population,” said Dr. David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of human health and CEO for UC Davis Health. “With our Healthy Aging Initiative, we have committed to tackling the inpatient, outpatient and community supports needed to create the healthiest older-adult population in Northern California.”

• UC Davis Health faculty, staff, employees and students have an opportunity to view the film from April 2-9.

• Friday, April 9, join Hurtig, UC Davis Health geriatric and caregiver experts and a cast member in an hour-long panel discussion from noon to 1 p.m.

• REGISTER HERE: When you register for the panel event, you will receive an email with link and instructions to screen the film in advance.

From the Family Caregiving Institute at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and its work with AARP for caregivers to the Alzheimer Disease Center and its research into dementia, UC Davis Health experts lead the charge to support the invisible caregivers and innovate in approaches to disease.

By launching a new Healthy Aging Clinic and participating in the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, UC Davis Health leverages interdisciplinary experts and focuses care on what matters to older-adult patients.

• How do we age with dignity?
• How does mobility feel 30 years from now?
• What conversations should we have with our families now?
• What is UC Davis Health doing to support older-adult patients and their family caregivers?

Ultimately, the families featured in the documentary learn they have more control over how they age than they thought. Will you?

“Fast-Forward” also airs on PBS on March 24. It is funded by grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the John A. Hartford Foundation.