April 21, 2000

When the Boston Museum of Science wanted to put together an exhibit about aging, they knew that one of the best resources available to them was right down the street. They turned to the MGH Geriatric Medical Unit for advice in planning and implementing the "Secrets of Aging," an exhibit that will be at the museum through September.

Ken Minaker, MD, chief of the MGH Geriatric Medical Unit, explains that museum focus groups consistently identified aging as a subject people wanted to learn more about. "That's when the museum came to us for help," he says Designers and experts from the museum met with Minaker, Barbara Moscowitz, MSW, LICSW, Michael Langan, MD, and Dexter Burley, PhD, of the MGH Geriatric Medical Unit. The four MGHers advised the museum about the many aspects of aging to help them create an exhibit that would attract visitors of all ages. Several other MGH departments and individuals later were consulted and asked to contribute to the exhibit.

"Some people have a very negative view of aging," says Moscowitz. "They think it's a disease, and we wanted to help the museum create an exhibit that would show that aging is normal. It's something we all go through. We wanted people to examine their feelings and fears about aging and to learn about the entire process."

Secrets of Aging is a hands-on exhibit that highlights research in biology, physiology, psychology and sociology. The exhibit covers four major themes: body, mind, society and longevity. Visitors are able to look at risk factors for developing age-related conditions such as osteoporosis; learn about new products being developed for people with a broad range of abilities and disabilities; view an Academy Award-nominated film about caretakers of Alzheimer's patients; discover the truth regarding many misconceptions about aging; and learn about aging in the animal kingdom.

Children ages 6 to 12 can access a computer that will scan a child's face and project what the child will look like when he or she is older. There also is a secluded video area and a story place with children's books and storytellers. A bulletin board invites visitors to leave their own stories, reactions to the exhibit, ideas and pictures for future visitors.

"This project was very exciting for both the museum and for the MGH," says Minaker. "The museum came to us because we have a reputation for being dedicated to education. We got to help enlighten people to create a more informed patient population. It was like we were a match made for each other. Plus, we're only two blocks away."

Secrets of Aging will be at the Museum of Science through Sept. 4. It then will tour nationally to five other museums. For more information about the exhibit, call the Museum of Science at 589-0417 or visit the website at www.mos.org.