In Chicago, Michael Pessman crafts Ager Nation, a free weekly newsletter focused on aging, health, and older-adult advocacy. His mission is to give voice to the millions of older Americans whose stories, struggles, and wisdom have been systematically overlooked by a society obsessed with youth.
"I was first inspired to pursue a career as a gerontologist by the unconditional love and influence of my grandparents, who showed me the depth, wisdom, and humanity that older adults bring to our lives," Pessman recalls. His grandparents taught him that older adults are not problems to be managed but people to be honored.
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Pessman's evolution from family devotee to national advocate reveals a deepening understanding of the challenges facing older Americans. "Early on, I thought my role would simply be helping individuals navigate aging, but over time I saw how systemic barriers, inequities, and ageism were shaping their experiences," he explains. That realization pushed him toward advocacy, writing, and public education so he could elevate the issues affecting older adults on a broader scale.
Ager Nation represents Pessman's answer to this challenge. Through carefully researched articles and accessible explanations of complex policy issues, the newsletter has become a trusted resource for older adults and those who care about them. The publication tackles everything from Social Security changes to Medicare policy, always with an eye toward empowering readers rather than simply informing them.
The validation for this approach came in an email from a reader who told Pessman that an Ager Nation article about Social Security changes had helped them "finally feel in control again." "That message reminded me how powerful clear, compassionate information can be for older adults," he says.
The journey has not been without its challenges. Pessman has witnessed firsthand how aging issues are often ignored or dismissed in mainstream coverage. However, those challenges "strengthened my resolve and deepened my commitment to building Ager Nation into a trusted platform that informs, empowers, and uplifts older adults."
For young people considering careers in gerontology, Pessman offers clear guidance. "Working in aging is one of the most meaningful paths they can choose, because you're not just building a career, you're shaping how society values its elders," he tells them. He advises them to stay curious, stay compassionate, and advocate boldly for older adults. "Seek out experiences that let you listen directly to older people; their stories will teach you far more than any textbook."
He also encourages aspiring advocates not to wait. "You don't have to wait to be 'established' to make an impact," Pessman insists. "Start sharing your voice early, whether through writing, community engagement, or platforms like Ager Nation, because this field needs future leaders now."
When asked what being a gerontologist means to him, Pessman's answer reveals his guiding philosophy. "It means honoring the wisdom, resilience, and humanity of older adults, and making sure their needs and stories are never overlooked. It means standing at the intersection of science, policy, and lived experience to advocate for a more age-inclusive society."
Looking toward the future, Pessman identifies the geriatrician shortage as healthcare's most urgent crisis. America faces a severe shortage of physicians trained to care for its rapidly aging population. Pessman has written extensively about how student debt and low reimbursement rates create major barriers for talented young clinicians who want to care for older adults. "Fixing this will require federal investment, loan-forgiveness programs, and a cultural shift that values geriatrics as the essential specialty it is," he argues.
Pessman understands that the crisis in aging care is ultimately a crisis of values. When a society systematically underfunds and undervalues care for its oldest members, it sends a clear message about priorities. His mission, then, is a campaign to reshape how America values its elders.
Through Ager Nation, Michael Pessman has built a platform for dignity, a forum for overlooked voices, and a model for how individual passion can drive systemic change. "That purpose now fuels Ager Nation, where I work every day to inform, uplift, and give a stronger public voice to the people who have shaped our world," he says. In championing older adults, Pessman is calling America to live up to the values it claims to hold, honoring those who built everything we inherit.