Reviews (2)

a powerful book
I agree with the previous reviewer that this book is a celebration of aging, but I'd also call attention to how incisive it is about aging as suffering in our society: and how convincing I found it on replacing despair with quiet exultation. Henri Nouwen always moves me with the deep simplicity of his writing. And the beautiful photographs intervene effectively in the text.

Celebrating Aging
A celebration of aging in words and photographs. We are all aging. This book is for all of us. It is an inspirational look at how we can start wherever we are in life to make our own aging meaningful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aged    2. Aging - General    3. Conduct of life    4. Elderly    5. General    6. Psychology    7. Psychology of Religion    8. Religion    9. Christian life & practice    10. Religion / Psychology of Religion   

Subjects:  1. Gerontology    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. Sociology - General    5. Social Science / Sociology / General    6. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (2)

Slow reading withtopics not well linked together.
This text is slow reading and the topics are not well linked together, however the repetitive nature of the writing style allows the concepts to be revisited and helps reinforce each topic. A strong class room instructor can manage the material, helping the student link the topics together.There is a wealth of information in this text for an undergraduate couse inaging.

Somewhat dry and the ideas aren't linked very well....
I took a class which required this text for reading thoughout the term. I found it to be hard to follow and a little on the dry side. Several topics could of been linked together, and several statistics in the book wherequoted twice with varying values. I also found over ten typos withoutlooking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - Adulthood & Aging    2. Gerontology    3. Older people    4. Psychology    5. Public Policy - Social Policy    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. Elderly    9. Marriage, family & other relationships    10. Social Science / Sociology / Marriage & Family   

Editorial Review

"Old simply isn't what it used to be," writes gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (32)

"The future is coming and it is older than you think"
This is an extremely interesting and important book. It seeks to identify the major social trend of the human future, and indicate ways it can be shaped for the benefit of us all.
Highly recommended
A very thoughtful book.Paints a vivid portrait of the major issues we will be facing this century.I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to understand what future demographics has in store for us, and how we should prepare for it.

Are you worried about your parents? Your own aging?
A book everyone would benefit from reading. It's a MUST read. Not only are the issues well presented with clear and insightful facts, but thoughtful answers are presented - solutions we can all begin to pursue. I didn't realize, as educated as I am, that I knew so little about this issue. Great wake up call! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Baby boom generation    3. Future Studies    4. General    5. Gerontology    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Social aspects    9. Social prediction    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Self-Help / Aging   

Reviews (1)

Remains valuable as historical perspective
Erikson's psychosocial stages of human development are standard fare in introductory psychology textbooks. In this slim volume you will find Erik's personal explanation of these stages and three short chapters by Joan (25 pages total) that elude to an additional ninth stage. Both authors were long-lived (Erik to 91; Joan to 93+), and, accordingly, offer a perspective that relatively few others will share.Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Developmental psychology    3. Gerontology    4. Personality    5. Psychoanalysis    6. Psychology    7. Child & developmental psychology    8. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (1)

As a person in middle age, this book was very helpful.
Struggling with my own aging, I found the book helpful in integrating mypersonal faith into the changes that are occuring while I grow older.Iparticularly enjoyed the many scripture referenceswhich he uses to backup his statements. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Christianity - Theology - Feminine    3. Mental health    4. Ministries    5. Psychology and religion    6. Religion    7. Religious aspects    8. Spirituality - General    9. Unassigned Title   

Reviews (11)

Maddeningly uneven book. More like campfire stories.
When I started reading this book I hoped it would be about centenarians and offer clues into their miraculous longevity, but instead the author's digressions are almost as frustrating as the wandering minds of some of these living wonders. Half way through the book and we realized much of the book is about the author, her marriage, and even a visit to her psychotherapist. Many paragraphs are like reading an on-the-road travelogueas the author describes scenery and environs to and from her interviews. Do we care? Is it important?
Disappointing
The subtitle of the book is quite deceptive.I forced myself to finish this book b/c I was halfway through it when I realized that there are no lessons from centurians.The book mostly consists of her battling with her own interviewing habits and really offers nothing in the way of lessons told by the interviewees.As the other reviewer mentioned, it has no substance.Quite a disappointment for such a good idea!

Pomp and Circumstance
A well written documentary, but very long on fluff and sentimentality and short in substance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Centenarians    2. General    3. Gerontology    4. Interviews    5. Social Gerontology    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Cross-cultural studies    2. Death    3. Death & Dying    4. Gerontology    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Medical care    7. Minorities    8. Nursing - Oncology & Cancer    9. Social Science    10. Social aspects    11. Sociology    12. Terminal Care    13. United States    14. Care of the elderly    15. Ethics & moral philosophy    16. Medical / Terminal Care    17. Medical-Nursing - Oncology & Cancer    18. Public health & preventive medicine    19. Social Science / Gerontology    20. Social Science-Death & Dying   

Reviews (3)

Well Written & Helpful
"The New Love and Sex After 60" is a well written and helpful book.There is no question that older men and women may want to remain sexually active much longer than might have been supposed. The authors explain some of the normal changes brought about by aging and changing relationships.They also discuss possible issues brought about by illness.The tone throughout is upbeat and positive and the authors offer practical advice for maintaining a healthy intimate relationship.It's probably time for another revision that would cover a few more recent developments in medicine but this book is still worth reading.

But if you are not looking for advice on HRT...
I hate to see this book represented by 1 reviewer giving it 1 star. I teach in a gerontology program and I found this book very useful in preparing my class on sexuality. The most important message I got from this book is that sex after 60 is normal and natural, but different from sex earlier in life. One point I did not see in my other reading--there is a discrepancy in the number of men and women that increases with age so that by age 85, there are 41 men for every 100 women.I have read many proposed solutions to this, all assuming that men have an innate lower life expectancy than do women. Dr. Bulter's approach is that men need to learn to take better care of their health so that they live longer. This was the most positive, pro-male solution I have read.

A Disappointing Book
The knowledgeable reader who may recently have discontinued HRT and is looking for hard data re. resulting physiologic and sexual changes is unlikely to find much useful here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - General    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. General    6. Gerontology    7. Love / Sex / Marriage    8. Love in old age    9. Older people    10. Sex Relations    11. Sex education    12. Sex instruction for older peop    13. Sex instruction for older people    14. Sexual Instruction    15. Sexual behavior    16. Sexuality    17. Social Gerontology    18. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Editorial Review

Years ago Carolyn Heilbrun, a long-time feminist (Read more

Reviews (18)

Good News Bad News
If you are in your sixties, seventies, or beyond - or even if you are a precocious fifty-year-old, there is much to be had in this ultimately enigmatic series of essays by feminist, scholar, activist and mystery houndCarolyn Heilbrun. Thoughtful, introspective, funny and only occasionally cantankerous, Heilbrun strikes many a familiar chord in examining the oddly satisfying process of aging, if not gracefully, at least with some unexpected zest.
A Conundrum Wrapped in an Enigma
Carolyn Heilbrun wrote this celebration of life after sixty shortly after deciding not to carry out her long-determined plan to commit suicide at 70 and six years before killing herself at 77.To know that outcome increases the frustration and the spasm of anger at her -- how could she so exquisitely detail the joy she found in living over the last decade and a half of her life, and then one day slam the door on those joys through, I understand, an overdose of sleeping pills and a plastic bag around the head for good measure.The clue must lie in this book's last essay, On Mortality, and what Heilbrun seems to fear and foresee in that chapter, that at some increasing age indifference to life succeeds pleasure in life.
The lady opted out
It is difficult to relate to this book having the knowledge that Heilburn killed herself -with the consent of her son-because she felt it was all over.Perhaps her isolation had more to do with depression or some such than the spin she puts on it in the book.Her suicide was presented as a rational and logical choice. I don't know. She was an excellent scholar and a feminist thinker at the right time-so kudos to her memory for that. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aged women    3. Aging - General    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. General    9. Gerontology    10. Old age    11. United States    12. Women    13. Women authors, American    14. Coping with old age    15. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Aging    3. Gerontology    4. Older people    5. Social Science    6. Social aspects    7. Social conditions    8. Sociology    9. Elderly   

Reviews (1)

very helpful textbook
I've been studying for a "psychology of aging" exam, & used Dr.Belsky's book to help with my studying: it proved to be of great help, especially because the whole book is written in a narrative, conversational way, which helps the reader. All the major developments in aging are contained in the book: historical, basic information on gerontology & geropsychology, lots of "life-span approach" information, & all that is needed to understand how the (relatively new) field of gerontology came to expand & become a field that is now growing at a quick pace.Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Developmental - Adulthood & Aging    3. Developmental - General    4. Gerontology    5. Mental Health    6. Mental health services    7. Older people    8. Psychological aspects    9. Psychology    10. Child & developmental psychology    11. Elderly    12. Psychology / Developmental / Adulthood & Aging   

Reviews (5)

The book that announces the New Age is 'Old Age'
Dychtwald has two newer books on the same subject, but this early treatment does a very good job at outlining the basic elements of his vision.
Newer book available
Great book! Important - very important - issues, but dated.Read his new book _Age_Power_.Lots of good facts and lots of excellent suggestions. If you want to be in the know, read this book and write your congressional reps.

Not Up To Date
This would have been okay to read in the 80's, but for now itRead more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - General    3. Gerontology    4. Older people    5. Self-realization    6. Social aspects    7. Social conditions    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Modern fiction    11. Social Science / Gerontology   

Reviews (23)

This book is right......you DON'T need a million!
I have to admit I would have been far more skeptical about the points made in this book if I hadn't seen people already living on far less than a million dollars...and doing just fine.
Not a bad overview, has some good ideas,but beware...
The 'Where will the Money come from' chapter , pgs 240-244 on Social Security, is delusional. The author seems to think that Social Security is safe, that pending boomers will get full benefits, and nothing is further from the truth. The author should check the annual letter from Social security that states that withdrawls will exceed contributions within the next 10 years unless something is done. Nothing will be done because our politicians have no spine and are afraid of not being around to milk the tax payer and receive endless kickbacks and graft, all the while being exempt from the very system created as a last resort.
An excellent handbook for holistic retirement planning
I read this book along with several others two years ago as my husband and I contemplated early retirement.It was by far the best book I read.Most other books were the author's personalmusings about what makes for a good retirement.In contrast, Warner's book backs up his views with both solid research and compelling testimonies from actual retirees. He doesn't downplay the importance of financial well-being in retirement, just puts it in context as ONE element of successful retirement.As someone who's now been retired (at age 52) for a year, I can attest to the usefulness of this book. It helped me honestly analyze my own life situation and has been a catalyst for some of the choices and decisions I am making as I create a life without (much) work. Warner's admonishment that you have to start integrating good practices in your life BEFORE retirement is particularly important; for example, if you don't foster close and healthy relationships with your family and friends when you are younger, they aren't going to magically happen once you're retired.Likewise for good health and spiritual habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age, who wants practical and sage advice on building a fulfilling life in retirement. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Gerontology    5. Old age pensions    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    8. Planning    9. Retirement Plans    10. Retirement income    11. Social security    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Child development    3. Developmental Psychology    4. General    5. Gerontology    6. Maturation (Psychology)    7. Neoteny    8. Psychological aspects    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Anthropology    12. Child & developmental psychology    13. Elderly    14. Human reproduction, growth & development    15. Social Science / Gerontology   

Editorial Review

Merck Pharmaceuticals have edited a clear and comprehensive reference for older adults.Dr. Mark Beers begins with the age-old questions: when does a person become old and why does the body change? The remainder of this guide is divided into preventive and active care for self and others. The list of topics is a virtual everything you want to know about aging: nutritional needs, finding a doctor, understanding tests, surgery and rehabilitation, and long term care. More than one hundred specific medical conditions including fractures, constipation, tinnitus, dental disease, and dementia are explained and cross referenced with useful details. Although a clinical explanatory model prevails, non-traditional methods such as acupuncture and homeopathy receive honorable mention. The guide takes an unflinching look at sexuality, end of life decisions, and mistreatment of elderly adults. Other practical c! hapters are devoted to driving dilemmas and navigating the Byzantine financing of health care. This information is punctuated with essays from older adults--including a cheeky Max Sendak cartoon. The essays, along with charts, photos, and illustrations help to lessen the book's encyclopedic tone. Many older adults and the people who care for them will welcome the well-organized format and richly detailed information of this guide. Read more

Reviews (4)

This is a book for every home
Everyone should have this book on their book shelf.Well written, comprehensive and clarifies medical questions and concerns.Don't even hesitate for a moment to purchase this book.

Merck Manual of Health & Aging
An excellent general and inclusive reference. Easy to access and very clear explanations nd detail.

Excellent reference book
I own an online medical supply and equipment business and am also a legal aid hotline attorney.In both capacities, I have alot of dealings with older adults and people who care for them.This comprehensive, highly informative manual belongs in the library of anyone interested in quality healthcare for seniors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - General    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. General    6. Gerontology    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health and hygiene    10. Health/Fitness    11. Healthy Living    12. Longevity    13. Older people    14. Personal Health    15. Health & Fitness / General   

Subjects:  1. Gerontology    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. Sociology - General    5. Psychology    6. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Subjects:  1. Counseling of    2. General    3. Gerontology    4. Older people    5. Psychology    6. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    7. Social Science    8. Social Services & Welfare    9. Social Work    10. Social work with older people    11. Sociology    12. Study and teaching    13. United States    14. Popular medicine    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (1)

Nursing for Wellness in Older Adults

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Subjects:  1. Geriatric nursing    2. Gerontology    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Nursing - Gerontology    6. Nursing - Medical & Surgical    7. Maturation & ageing    8. Medical / Nursing / Gerontology   

Subjects:  1. Care    2. Fiction    3. Gerontology    4. Old age    5. Older people    6. Social conditions    7. Sociology    8. Visionary & Metaphysical    9. Non-Classifiable