She was one of the controversial Surgeon Generals in U.S. history and at 86 years old, Dr. Joycelyn Elders is still speaking her mind.

Elders made history as the first African-American and the second woman to be appointed U.S. Surgeon General. She is a pediatric endocrinologist who has spent decades speaking about the importance of sex education for teens and advocating for the legalization of marijuana.

In the latest episode of Growing Bolder One-on-One with Active Aging Thought Leaders, our new series dedicated to the status of aging, Elders speaks candidly about the issues facing America’s seniors and discusses some awkward and hard truths many people don’t want to discuss — how we house this nation’s elders.

She also reveals what she wishes young people knew about aging.

The conversation was recorded at the annual International Council on Active Aging conference.