FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Leaders from across Southwest Florida came together at FGCU to launch a new initiative aimed at living longer.
Organizers say the goal is to educate people so they can live healthier and more active lives. Right now, people in Southwest Florida live into their 80s on average but spend more than a decade dealing with illness or disability.
“It doesn’t just begin at the aging aspect or at the retiree area,” said Shawn Felton, dean of the Marieb College of Health & Human Services.
“It really begins in our public schools. It’s about workforce development. It’s about social isolation. And so we have an opportunity with all of our programming, not just in healthcare, but across the university, that’s really going to help launch this and move this initiative forward,” Felton said.
The event also featured a keynote speaker, longevity expert Dr. Ken Dychtwald. Leaders say reaching that goal of longer lives will take everyone, from healthcare to education.