2019 Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award recipient James Duggins, left, with Anna Faul, executive director of the UofL Trager Institute
2019 Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award recipient James Duggins, left, with Anna Faul, executive director of the UofL Trager Institute

Nominations are open for the University of Louisville Trager Institute’s 11th annual Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Awards.

“Being a model of optimal aging means continuing to evolve and flourish as we age to the best of our ability. It is a state of being and mind that one grows toward over a lifetime,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute. “It is choosing not to passively accept society’s ideas of what aging means but rather to find what matters most to you and pursuing it.”

Adults who achieve the age of 85 by Sept. 1 and who live according to the physical, social, creative and spiritual principles of optimal aging are eligible for the Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award. Anyone may nominate an older adult at the event website until July 15. Sponsorship information for the award ceremony also is available at the site.

2019 Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award recipient Joan Zink, left, with Christian Davis Furman, medical director of the UofL Trager Institute
2019 Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award recipient Joan Zink, left, with Christian Davis Furman, medical director of the UofL Trager Institute

“This award is one of the cornerstone events of Optimal Aging Month, a time dedicated to promoting the view that aging is an opportunity, not a disease,” said Christian Davis Furman, medical director of the institute. “We are so excited to share with the community all of our older adults who are optimally aging.”

Honorees will receive their awards during a luncheon on Sept. 30 at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage as part of UofL’s Optimal Aging Month. Each honoree and one guest may attend the event for free and may either join in person or virtually. Additional tickets at $40 per person may be purchased at the website later this summer. The event benefits the UofL Trager Institute and its efforts to empower older adults to flourish.

For more information, call 502-588-0433 or email tragerinstitute@louisville.edu.