A new “Aging Untold” episode is starting a conversation many couples on the Suncoast avoid: what happens to intimacy after a health diagnosis. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck says the first considerations are consent and competence, while Dr. Rhea Rogers points out that intimacy and sexuality are not interchangeable. The experts’ advice is straightforward. Talk with your partner, and bring your questions to your doctor instead of leaving them unspoken.
The episode also examines why older adults are often underrepresented in clinical trials, even though enrolling can mean access to tomorrow’s medicines today, including devices and therapies that won’t be widely available for years. The experts share the questions to ask before you sign up.
It closes with Flo Meiler, a 91-year-old who took up track and field at 60 and still holds two world records. “I’m sad that I can’t jump like I used to,” she says, “but I really enjoy it.” Her story is a reminder that starting something new doesn’t come with an age limit. What’s a conversation you’ve been putting off with your partner or your doctor?
