Living in Ecuador has softly reshaped the way I see aging.
Here, aging is not hidden—it’s honored. It’s common to see grandparents at the heart of family life, grandparents helping at the markets, neighbors caring for neighbors, and elders carrying the wisdom of lived experience with quiet dignity. Aging here is not simply about growing “old”; it’s about growing into deeper layers of community, respect, and belonging.
Yet, even in a culture that treasures its elders, challenges exist. Economic hardship, gaps in healthcare, and the ‘power imbalance’ of agism alongside the migration of younger generations have reshaped traditional family support. Elders here, like many of us expats, are adapting—navigating a changing world with resilience, newfound resourcefulness, and creativity.
For those of us aging abroad, there’s so much we can learn by observing and connecting.
Ecuador reminds us that aging is a shared journey, not a solitary one. It asks:
– How can we embrace the richness of multigenerational connections?
– How can we honor both our independence and our interdependence?
– How can we take the best of both worlds—the pioneering spirit of the boomer generation and the deep-rooted community wisdom of local traditions—and shape new ways of growing older and perhaps growing bolder together?
Aging today is different than ever before. Never have we had so much freedom to redefine what aging means—and never has it been more important to address the gaps, vulnerabilities, and opportunities we face.
I’m opening up this conversation as part of SAVvy Day (Solo Aging Visibility Day), a global initiative to uplift solo agers and foster new conversations about aging across borders.
Curious to learn more about solo aging in Ecuador?
Want to join a live conversation?
Search “SAVvy Day Ecuador” on Facebook, or message me for more info. I’d love to hear your experiences and reflections too.
Let’s bridge cultures, generations, and experiences—learning from both the world around us and each other.
Let’s imagine aging as an act of creativity, courage, and community.
Colleen, colleen.eschenburg@gmail.com
City: Cuenca
