Paula Span

Paula Span is a respected journalist who currently writes "The New Old Age" blog for The New York Times, focusing on the significant challenges involved in caring for adults over age 80. This demographic represents the fastest-growing segment of the population, highlighting the critical nature of her work.

Span spent a considerable part of her career at The Washington Post as a New York-based correspondent. Her reporting extensively covered a range of critical societal issues, including the AIDS epidemic and financial industry upheavals. She also gained experience covering urban life and development, arts and culture, and more niche topics like "drag" bingo and oddball off-Broadway musicals. Later, at The Washington Post Magazine, her long cover stories addressed major topics such as the military disability system for veterans, the future of retirement, and competitive skateboarding. Her work has additionally appeared in various other respected publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Magazine, Esquire, Parenting, Glamour, Ms., and several city magazines.

Span authored "When the Time Comes: Families with Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions," and she actively speaks on topics such as assisted living, hospices, and handling a loved one’s fragility. Her expertise makes her a sought-after speaker across the nation, addressing the complexities of elder care.

In addition to her journalistic endeavors, Span is dedicated to educating future journalists as a faculty member at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her commitment to education was recognized when she was named the 2009 Distinguished Teacher of the Year at the institution, underscoring her impact on the field both in and outside the classroom.