Aging Books

I'm not a person is moved often, but there are very insprirational stories here. I bought 2 more books as gifts.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Congratulations to Ms. Hamilton for her success in showing the human qualities of her long-married subjects without being sentimental or overly romantic. She has captured a freshness in her portrayals of the couples that is a tribute to their long years together.

The short essays accompanying the photographs are interesting and informative.

As a gift, this lovely book would give pleasure to couples of any age.

50 or More: A Lifetime Together, by Marcia Hamilton, is beautifully photographed and full of touching vignettes. I found this book to be fascinating. Even though I originally bought the book as a gift, I had to have a copy for myself!

What a great idea for an anniversary, special birthday, or wedding gift!

What a beautiful book this is. I have gotten so many compliments on it. It is really a tribute to beautiful couples who have been through over half a century together. I recently got married, and it gives me so much excitement for what my husband and I have yet to come.

The photographs are beautiful. The best coffee table book I've ever seen!!!

If I could have given this book 10 stars, I would have!!!

Dr. Brickey has done it again! "52 baby steps to Grow Young" has marvelous, easy-to-remember exercises to change your outlook on life, one for each week. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing to raise their spirits, put spring into their steps, and plan for a long future.

Reviewed by Mary Greenwood for Reader Views (7/06)

"52 Baby Steps to Grow Young", by Dr. Michael Brickey, is a 52-week program that gives a baby step of improvement for each week of the year. "52 Baby Steps To Grow Young" is a modern day sequel to the Tortoise and the Hare story.

Dr. Michael Brickey is a Board Certified psychologist who has written another book called "Defy Aging". He has studied Reverse Aging and has attempted to distill his knowledge into 52 lessons. His format is to list the step and ask "Why?" Then he gives a quote or two and then lists something humorous related to the topic. The reader goes on to the next step so that by the end of the year, the reader's life has improved dramatically. He uses the analogy of losing weight. Those who keep the weight off are the ones who lose it slowly because they developed good eating habits. As a reviewer, I did not have the luxury of taking a full year to read the book. I read it all in one sitting and my head is swimming with lots of good ideas. Since I am of a certain age, I gravitated toward those lessons concerning retiring.

Step 11 is Never Retire: He applies Winston Churchill's statement about never surrendering to retiring. Dr. Brickey says that if you cannot agree with that statement, then you must not be doing something you love.

Number 29 is Fear of Gray: Notice friends, politicians, and celebrities who have gray hair and look attractive, distinguished, handsome and/or beautiful. I have a lot of gray hair and am in a constant debate as to whether to let it stay gray. Most recently I saw Meryl Streep with a white hair-do in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. She definitely looked attractive and beautiful. Maybe I will keep it gray.

Number 30- Longevity Icons: Pick an icon that represents vital longevity and choose it for your personal longevity icon. He suggests the Phoenix or the Energizer Bunny. I picked the Energizer Bunny. It exemplified my Mom (90) and Dad (91) who keep on going and going despite life's obstacles.

What I liked about the book was that it was humorous and provocative. It is easy to understand each step and dig into the topic of the week. This book is targeted to Baby Boomers who are rethinking how we age and retire. "52 Baby Steps to Grow Young" is an easy way to think about making small positive changes. Dr. Brickey talks about vitamins, exercise, humor, resiliency, happiness, and death. There is definitely something for everyone. The Tortoise wins every time!

Dr. Michael Brickey gives excellent advice in his "52 baby steps to Grow Young". By taking a baby step each week, many will grow in self discipline, gain a new attitude and enjoy a
better life. Dr. Brickey's clear instructions will definitely help those who truly want to change old habits.

Lura Zerick, author of Getting Older and Enjoying It!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only is it easy to read and understand, but as we start living longer, it is very important to keep your mind and body in shape. This book gives usefull information on how to do this.

Arrived on time in great condition (older edition, but couldn't find any wear!) Almost identical to 10th Edition so worked perfectly for my health class. Great low price. Thanks!

This book covers everything you need to know to pass the Dantes Health exam. It's well worth its cost, if you want/need a high passing score.

I just completed a health class and this was the textbook we used. I learned so much from using this book. This book is precise and to the point. It provides you with colorful pictures, charts, and definitions that's superb. It provides great information on Weight Management, Cancer, Heart Disease, Illicit Drugs, and Alchohol.

No health class should go with out this book. This is defintely a great teaching tool for those that are taking a health class, or simply a great reference guide. I give this book five stars.

The 1999 Edition of Access to Health by Donatelle and Davis is excellent! User friendly writing style, colors, charts, references, and a comprehensive collection of chapters that cover all the key personal health related topics. From human sexuality to societal violence, the text covers all the bases. The authors have worked hard to bring this Edition up to date with the most current health research references/topics. I strongly recommend considering adoption for any introductory personal health course.

Lot's of valuable information. Written in a conversational style that is easy to read. Helpful insights and practical advice. A real resource to help you understand the life you are living.

When I got my first grey hairs I started feeling so many different things about life and the process of aging. This book explained the different feelings I was having. It was a great relief to realize my feelings were so common. The words are easy to understand. The stories about others who have their own issues as they age are good ones to learn from. I recommend this book for any one feeling a bit perplexed about the aging process.

Together with Richard Leider's books (particularly, Life Skills, The Power of Purpose & The Inventurers) & Richard Bolles' Parachute book, this book has been most pivotal in helping me to navigate my mid-life transition during the early 90's.

It has been beautifully crafted with warmth, passion, clarity & mastery of content. It provides a refreshingly optimistic perspective on mid-life transition & self-renewal. Best of all, it is solidly backed by several decades of research & consulting work at the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, California.

I remember vividly when I first encountered this book in the early 90's, it was actually the back page of the book which attracted my attention: "Designing a rich adult life for a world in transition." followed by a quotation: "The Adult Years will help you to think about your life - & to stay vital all your life."

At that point in time, I was pondering about what I wanted to do with the second half of my life. I was 43 years old & a corporate rat then. I was working in quiet desperation.

Frankly, I was looking damned good...but actually going nowhere!

So, I started a frantic search for all kinds of seminars, workshops, books, magazines & resources to fuel my mind. I was very glad to bump into this book by chance. I particularly liked what the author has said in the book: "...adulthood is a cyclical experience that can be a ripening of our strengths rather than dull repetition or a dizzling merry-go-round....it is possible in a culture that glamourises youth more than it values maturity, to design a coherent, mature life that is resilient enough not only to survive but to be visionary & regenerating...by unleashing our own personal forces of self renewal, we can bring forth ideas & leadership for social renewal."

The author has masterfully protrayed the cycles of self-renewal through the various chapters of the book, as follows:

Part I: The Emerging Adult
1 The Adult Dilemma
2 Finding Possibilities in Cyclical Lives

Part II: The Cycle of Change - Life Structures & Transitions
3 The Patterns of Change
4 From Dreaming to Restructuring
5 from Disengaging to Cocooning
6 From Self renewal to New Beginnings

Part III: The Life Cycle
7 Meaning & Mission Across the Life Cycle
8 The Twenties & Thirties
9 The Forties & Fifties
10 The Sixties & seventies
11 Getting from Here to There: Six Principles of Life Cycle Change

Part IV: Adults & Global Change
12 Valueing the Global Context
13 The Self Renewing Adult, the Self Renewing Society

Over the many years since my first encounter with the book, I have often gone back to read some of the passages to seek further insights about empowerment throughout my adult years.

Every busy profesional would benefit from this marvellous book when coming of age. It is intelligently crafted & extremely helpful in providing a sensible framework for understanding - & appreciating - adult transitions & personal change.

In concluding this review, I enthusiastically recommend this book to all who are interested in the quality of life & peak performance in life's remaining years!

This is the best conceputalizaton of the second half of life that I have ever read.It puts theory into practice and teaches that one can stay young and continually evolving with the proper attitute, learning and social environments tempered with an active healthy life style. The concept of retirement is no longer valid in the 21st century. We must think of
'protirement'now that can live to be centegenarians.
We must entrepreneur our futures and proactively build
on the new or retooled skills of the previous years. Our tasks become:redefining values,renewing our life's purpose, continually training to stay ahead in the ever-changing world and transition gracefully with our wisdom into new and exciting terrain. Along with the challenge of growth and change,
we bring the wisdom of the years.

Coaches will help us with change and transition, for they are not
simply 'change agents', but 'change masters' trained to accompany up on our journey,to help guide our vision of the
life we long for before we say 'adieu'.

I'm only 29, but I bought the book because I have the desire to expand my knowledge on nutrition and who better knows about the subject of nutrition than the expert - Judy Lindberg McFarland. The book is truly an excellent resource on achieving optimum health and its pack with detailed information on vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants, building immunity, brain nutrients, protecting the heart, lowering blood pressure, thyroid, arthritis, men's and women's hormonal needs, menopause and preventing a variety of illnesses. Judy McFarland refers to a lot of scientific and medical studies throughout the book. At the end, the author provides you with the famous "Complete Lindberg Nutrition Program", which emphasizes on eating healthy by choosing organic, fresh and less processed foods, avoiding refined carbs, protein, taking vitamins, exercising, etc. For price of the book, you can't beat the valuable information you will gain. This is worth reading. Highly recommended!

after only a few pages, i already new that this book is a holly- book on this subject.it covers all the aspects and diseases of getting old, and scientific works from the top science- researchers around the world, together with the world's greatest natural healers are exploring in a wonderful and easy to understand way of expression.linus-pauling, michael weiner, julian-whitacker,adelle-davis, and much much more briliant healers are quatated in this book with recieps, suplements, and specific strategy. case histories are also presented in this book, and this book is for everybody who wish to:aging without growing old!stop reading recomandations,-buy this book today.

From reading the book, it is apparent that this author doesn't just have book knowledge, but has been helping people with nutrition for a long time. It is not a deep, scientific book, but I would say more of a common sense and laymans explanation of what nutritional products work and which don't. Even though its easy to understand, most of the things that I was interested in such as prostate health, did have the references to the studies that documented which herbs help, which I like instead of just anecdotal information. I passed along the book to a friend who recently had an angiogram, since there is a good chapter on heart disease and how to minimize it once you have it.

A friend at work recommended this book to me after her sister helped cure her 5-year old son of candida (when Western doctors couldn't). They were never believers in alternative health care, but seeing was believing for them. I just finished reading the book myself, and made a list of all the vitamins/minerals I would need for what ails me. I went to the health food store, where the clerk was genuinely surprised that I had all the correct items listed, along with the correct dosages. This book also gave me suggestions for other books to read, which I have just ordered. The only criticism I have is the title: it seems to have been chosen to "sell" the book. If this book had not been recommended to me, I would never have bought it based on its title. The book has so much more information about working with your body and nature to achieve good health.

My Mother has terminal Cancer and my Father is taking care of her at home. This book has been been a great guide and reference for her care. My Mother does not have Alzheimers but my Father and our family are encountering all the care issues that a family must address when caring for a terminally ill family member at home.

This book has seemingly all the information that you need to be a successful caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer's. It is written in a very direct style. It addresses very specific solutions to the problems that occur as the various stages of the disease progress. I took care of my mother before I read this book and I could have used the advice here. I would not have had to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. The book acknowledges, but does not dwell on the emotional difficulties a caregiver faces, but since it offers concrete solutions to all kinds of problems, using it as a reference can make the care giving experience that much easier. Keep this one on the shelf, you'll refer to it often.

It has a lot of useful information and wonderful perspective in dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's. I can already see application and things we can do better for my mother-in-law who lives with us. I just hope we can have half the compassion and patience that Frank shows in his book!

Magnificent work! It is bound to be helpful to anyone who has a family member or close friend with dementia. There is a multitude of practical points. Anyone will be struck by the author's compassion and dedication to his wife. It is also good that the author admits how the process is so trying.

This book would be helpful to anyone who has elderly parents. I like that it emphasizes respect and consideration for the aging parent, including the aging parent in the decisions and first of all getting everyone involved to agree there really is a problem. It outlines a plan for thinking through the particular problem and looking at all the possible solutions. It has separate chapters listed for specific common problems and gives an example of using the problem solving model. It contains resources for additional help if needed.

I followed the basic strategy of this book with my dad and after he died, wrote My Funny Dad, Harry in his memory which includes how we dealt with some of the struggles mentioned in this book. Consequently, we had a close relationship to the end.

At last, real solutions to the reality of the day-to-day problems/frustration when dealing with aging parents who are "DRIVING YOU CRAZY!" Great title, easy to read, valuable advice, and it really helped me cope better. The other book I also highly recommend is "Elder Rage," which is fun to read because it is filled with humor about this most heart-breaking subject. Both books will get you through it!

Joseph Ilardo and Carole Rothman effectively collaborate in Are Your Parents Driving You Crazy? to show stressed out adult children how to resolve the most common and frequently encountered dilemmas that arise from efforts to care their aging parents. Cogent, insightful, practical, and competent problem solving advice, suggestions, and observations are provided when an aging parent can no longer safely drives but is refusing to quit; detrimentally skimps on expenses even though they are not poverty stricken; refuse to see a doctor or ignore medical advice; want to move in with their children; antagonize home health aides and other support workers; are unwilling to discuss vital end-of-life issues and decisions; and more. Also of great and enduring value is the advice on handling adult siblings who refuse to help in the care and problems of the aging parent; resent the time spent caring for a parent; disagree, discourage, or undermine parental care efforts; steals from the parent, and more. If you are undertaking the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent, begin with a careful reading of Joseph Ilardo and Carole Rothman's Are Your Parents Driving You Crazy? It will save you immense amounts of stressful anxiety and bewildered frustration -- as well as substantially improve the quality and effectiveness of your efforts in behalf of your aging parent.

Are your parents driving you crazy? Have you shouldered too much responsibility for their care? Do your siblings ignore the problems? Is your own family suffering? Llardo and Rothman have devised a method to help you arrive at solutions to these and other common problems that face caregivers.

Before those problems get completely out of control, get and read this book. The method the authors propose has worked for others - it can work for you if you take the time to follow their method and do the problem/solution work. You don't have to be a martyr to your caregiving duties.

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.
author, "How to Find Great Senior Housing"
and
"128 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's and Other Dementias"

Linda Edelstein has written a book all women should read. It's inspirational, informative and well-written. Pamela D. Blair, Author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond

This is a positive spin on midlife - Edelstein describes midlife as a time of "freedom and authenticity" - certainly something I am experiencing as I enter midlife. She states midlife is actually composed of three stages: relinquishing the old, reconnecting to themselves and refocusing on the future.

Therapists will enjoy this book!

Barb Elgin
http://www.coachsappho.com

This book's focus is the various experiences of women in midlife, whether they are single, married, divorced, or widowed, have children or not, have a career or not. The author cites interesting research without overloading the book with it. For example, women in midlife who have focused on career may regret not focusing on family, those who have focused on family may regret lost professional opportunities, and those who have struggled to balance the two often feel that something important may be getting lost.

A strength of this book is the author's ability to write for a wide range of women. Where necessary, the author explains psychological concepts in a clear, articulate way that will not be overwhelming to those with little psychological knowledge or insulting to those who are more psychologically minded. The author's unpretentiousness and respect for those who shared their experiences comes through on every page. She discusses the creative process, the need to create, and how in many ways midlife can be the most active and fulfilling phase of a woman's life because of increased confidence and sense of self.

Though not eloquently written, the writing is solid and clear. Overall, this book rings true in its ability to encourage and challenge women to look at midlife as being a very exciting chapter in their lives, one in which they can recreate themselves and their approach to their lives. The author does not make change look quick or easy or romanticize it, but she does convey a sense that the process of heightened personal growth in midlife is well worth pursuing.

I couldn't put this one down. It spoke to me - as a 44-year old mother of two and family physician, it was at once immensely engaging and deeply thought-provoking. The women's stories are well-told and extremely interesting. As a healthcare professional, I found the theory very clear, well-thought-out and helpful - both to me personally, and for many of my patients who are women between the ages of 40 and 60. We had a women's discussion group using this book as the jumping-off point, and it led us to some REALLY interesting discourse. It's a whole lot better than just thinking of this time of life as hot flashes and reading glasses!
It really makes you think more actively about how to create the kind of life you want and what the developmental tasks are for women at midlife. Most highly recommended.

This book should be read by every adult child with a healthy parent over seventy. How do you know when a parent needs help? When it's time for a nursing home, how do you find a quality facility? Joseph Ilardo provides all of the guidance needed to help parents through the stages of needing assistance at home, moving into an institution , and preparing for the end of life. Beyond the specific practical advice, the book explains the psychological processes involved for the aging parent and for the adult child. I have just assisted my parents with moving my ailing father to a nursing home. As a result of my using this book, my father made the transition to a quality facility with good will, and the entire family was involved in a positive, supportive fashion.

If you have a parent, this book applies!

Different sections deal candidly and succinctly with some very difficult issues including siblings, care alternatives, living will related legal issues and important checklists.

If you are over 70 it might also make interesting reading.

This book really helped me understand the aging process, hold onto my empathy and compassion, balance my life better (I was starting to lose myself), and gave me a sense of calm because I have the knowledge of how to manage it all so much better. You'll gain so much insight from this book. My entire family noticed the difference in my attitude after I read it, calmed me down so much and gave me specifics of how to cope. "Elder Rage" is the other book I recommend for coping with aging parents, particularly if you have one who is real difficult to manage.

Book is aimed at creating an understanding of the psychological impact to aging parent and family unit. Provides insight into how the family must act together and what pitfalls to avoid. Works on preserving the dignity of the parent, and finding ways to help the parent and still allow family members to maintain lives of their own.

I am currently in the process of researching and selecting long-term living arrangements for my mother, who will be leaving her home of 43 years and moving across the country and has entrusted me to pick her new residence. I feel the weight of that responsibility and want to be sure that she is safe, happy, and well cared for, and able to remain independent as long and as well as her condition permits. Baum has provided great insight into questions we must ask and assurances we must get in writing. His documentation of the journey has helped me pay special attention as similar experiences arise. And further, Baum suggests that we take his experience and think about how we want our last years to be spent. Well written and not preachy, with a good checklist to apply before final decisions have been made. I am thankful to have found this book before completing our search, and have recommended it to others.

Every older person, especially those living alone, and their family members should read this book. Anyone who is considering an assisted living situation for a parent will learn invaluable information.

First off, this is the only book that I have seen about this topic that is not written by an insider with a vested interest in promoting assisted living facilities, care management, Alzheimer's facilities, or the like. Many books point you to resources that you could find in an hour or less on the Internet. This is so much more thoughtful. The author provides a self-reflective account of his own journey with his mother in trying to work out the best individualized arrangements for and with her. It is not one of these simplistic "my mother is your mother -and what you and your mother will face." An added plus is that he gives a lot of thoughtful attention to the promise and limitations of current options and newer models of aging.It is a very nice book that bridges the gap between public/social policies for the aging and personal experience. Books like this are unusual. I tend to shun books that tilt to either narcissistically, personal stories or heavily annotated accounts. Hopefully, this book will help mobilize readers to think that creative, humanistic solutions are possible.

This is a very good book for anyone who has to put their parent in an Assisted Living Facility, even if you live close to your parent.

You can tell Dan always had his mother's over-all well-being at the center of his decisions. The future is so uncertain, this is a good book to read as Dan tells of his personal experience with their choice of ALF.

Sharing Ida's experience has helped me when it came time to put my own Mother in an ALF in Dec 2006. My sister, Mom & I visited various ALF's, and Mom chose the one she liked best. My sister and I made sure it will give her the support she will need when her health will require more assistance. Mom has early-stages of Alzheimer's; physically she is fine, but mentally, she cannot remember current events.

Dan covers every aspect of life in an ALF, his experience with the good parts and the bad. All of this knowledge is best found out before-hand, so you are more prepared for what can happen in the future. Due to his insight, I hope to be able to give Mom a comfortable and well-assisted life.

Barbara