Mel Robbins interviews Dr Joseph Coughlin, founder and director of MIT’s Age Lab, about what he calls “longevity planning” — preparing not only financially but practically and socially for decades of later life. A central segment has Robbins wear the lab’s “AGNES” ageing simulation suit, adding weight, restricted movement and impaired vision to recreate the friction, fatigue and frustration that can accompany age-related conditions. The experience is used to explain why older adults may withdraw from activities, avoid stairs, struggle with low chairs, or opt out of technology.
Coughlin argues that retirement is often planned as leisure but lived as thousands of ordinary “Tuesdays”, and urges listeners to identify small joys, build routines, and maintain social ties. He cites research comparing loneliness to the health impact of smoking, and suggests a robust friendship network is a strong predictor of ageing well.
He then outlines a “longevity preparedness index” developed with partners at John Hancock, covering eight dimensions including health, finance, community, home, life transitions, daily activities, social connection and caregiving. He says caregiving scores lowest and adds that many people expect family care without having explicit conversations. He also emphasises transport as a major cost and constraint in later life, and argues that where someone lives — down to their postcode — can shape longevity through access to services, mobility and connection.
Coughlin argues that where someone lives is a stronger predictor of outcomes in later life than many individual metrics, pointing to studies he says show large life expectancy gaps between neighbouring postcodes. He links this to transport access, healthcare availability and proximity to everyday necessities and social contact.
Read this moment →Coughlin tells Robbins that older adults may face a higher risk of fraud and scams from people close to them, including within families and caregiving relationships. He says this is a current focus of research at the MIT Age Lab, alongside financial decision-making and permissions when someone’s capacity declines.
Read this moment →Discussing the importance of a ‘social portfolio’ in older age, Coughlin cites research he attributes to Julianne Holt-Lunstad comparing the health impact of loneliness and social isolation to heavy smoking. He presents social connection as a predictor of ageing outcomes, beyond retirement finances and medical care.
Read this moment →Coughlin says an MIT Age Lab study with insurer John Hancock found most people assume a spouse or adult child will provide care, while far fewer have talked through expectations and practicalities. He frames the gap as a driver of crisis decisions when someone becomes suddenly unwell or injured.
Read this moment →Dr Joseph Coughlin, who leads MIT’s Age Lab, tells Mel Robbins his team and partners at John Hancock developed a “longevity preparedness index” spanning eight dimensions, and that caregiving scored lowest. He characterises the 42 score as a failing grade and uses it to argue that families are not prepared for the practical and emotional demands of care.
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