Now that you are "retired" from your professional social work career, would you describe your current involvement in the community?
I spend about twenty hours a week as Field Advisor at MSASS. This summer we will plan for Field Education classes in the fall semester. We plan for incoming students' field placements at various social service agencies, hospitals, schools, etc. We use the summer to evaluate the social work field education program. I've been here in this position for the last nine or ten years. I graduated from this program [Master's program in social work] in 1952. It's come full circle. I like working with the social work students.

I play the piano at least an hour everyday. I'm a sports fan. I spend time with friends. I like to travel. I explore different parts of the countryside. I could spend a whole day exploring. I am constantly looking for new things to do. I've been on about fourteen cruises. I've covered all the Caribbean Islands but two or three, the Panama Canal, South America, Venezuela and now looking at a cruise for the fall.

What do you enjoy about working with students?
I retired from full-time clinical social work in 1986. I worked as a consultant before starting at the school one year later. There is never a dull moment with the students. It is a challenge to help them see that by their mistakes they learn. It is a challenge to teach students about the core of social work. That part of advising is enjoyable. I like what they're trying to achieve, what they want to be and how they are trying to get there, the problems that they encounter in that process. Some students are right out of college, while others come to the program with work experience. You guide students through coursework, working with people of different cultures, managing the demands of the program. It's all very interesting. I work with about 40 students interested in school social work and place them at various schools. Seeing them change over the two year program and march at graduation is satisfying.

As a senior citizen, how do you perceive the process of aging?
People have said to me, you don't look your age. I accept that [laughter]. On the other hand, you can't judge a book by its cover. You have the aches and pains that go along with age. You learn how to handle that. You don't give up because if you do, you're gone. You keep plugging away. Arthritis is a common ailment with the aged. Last week I felt it in my ankle. I went to the doctor to deal with it and I moved on. These are things that happen to you.

For example, I played tennis since I was 14 years old up until last year, regularly. I've got a breathing problem that prevents me from playing tennis now. I can't do it anymore. I've realized this is something I can't do.

However, I don't want to be a couch potato. I want to be on the move.

How would you characterize successful aging or what does it take, in your opinion, to age successfully?
As health issues have come up, I've been able to accept them as part of my life. I've watched myself experience the "bell curve" of life. You go through developmental stages from birth and hit the top around the 40's, then you begin to descend. You know you're going to lose a little bit of muscular strength, speed, eyesight and so on. You have to accept that. As long as you have a good outlook on life and tell yourself that you're going to be ok tomorrow, you deal with whatever comes your way. You know that eventually you will end this life but live it while you can. Accept the difficulties and don't see them as something that will stop you completely.

I've been fortunate and haven't had any dehabilitating illnesses until the breathing problem. It's not going to go away. I can accept that because I know what I can and can't do. I look for things that I can substitute to replace tennis and other fitness activities. Maybe I will return to bowling. I like to pitch horseshoes. There are other things out there.

The general idea is identifying or redefining things that you can do that give you pleasure so you don't keep saying "I can't, I can't, I can't." These are things that help you live each day. For example, I can come to school and interact with staff and students.

What do you want to say to younger generations about how seniors should be treated in our culture?
Seniors are human beings, live people who are going through a stage that young people may not understand. Understand that seniors may be a little slower, but give them the opportunity to do things. Don't push them from your view as if they shouldn't be included. Realize that this developmental stage is slower than the ones that precede it.

I had an interesting experience a few years ago with an elderly aunt who lived at a local nursing home. I visited her weekly for two years and had the chance to see her and other residents. They would sing together or talk. I had the chance to get to know other residents. The time I spent there gave me a new opportunity to examine this stage of life. Seniors might speak more slowly. You might get frustrated with waiting for them. You can still learn to look at where they are in life and ask yourself "how can I bring myself around to accepting where they are?" and to meet them at that stage. At the time, these thoughts didn't seem as relevant to me as they do now. I can pass that on to people who can learn more about dealing with the elderly, like the students.

At the same time, I see myself continuing to proceed as I am now, being able to handle the pains I have and moving on. No couch potato here. I'm keeping my options open.

Would you share a recent travel experience with us?
I went to Europe last year and flew over and back on the Concord. I was amazed at how fast it goes. I think we got up to 1300 miles per hour at up to 60,000 ft. altitude. Part of the trip was taking the [cruiseship] QE2. We left South Hampton, England and went to Amsterdam, Hamburg, Germany, Belgium and back to England. I went with a group. We went to Paris and London. Took the Chunnel train. The world Soccer Tournament was in Paris at the time. Enjoyed the sidewalk cafes. Took a trip along the Seine River. All over thirteen days.

On another note, the Panama Canal was very interesting, too. You enter the canal at about seven in the morning and come out the other end at about three in the afternoon. I would tell anybody if you had the chance, go see the Panama Canal.

Benjamin Rose salutes Joe Pyles' inspiring attitude and dedication to teaching students! Congratulations on being a MythBuster!