Enlightened Aging

June 26, 2017
Larson, a clinical professor of medicine, and DeClaire (Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, co-author), a health journalist, offer an empowering exploration, targeted to baby boomers, of ways to age healthfully while staving off disability and maintaining an active life. Rather than suggesting some “magic bullet,” the authors focus on increasing resilience, the ability to recover from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances, through building mental, physical, and social reserves. They state that baby boomers have a better chance of aging healthfully than any generation before them, and identify factors that lead to better aging, including proactivity, attitude, and acceptance. They also caution against overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and new but not necessarily improved medication, instead lauding lifestyle changes as solutions to age-related problems. Larson and DeClaire advise readers to make decisions that are right for them and be proactive about their healthcare. Building on the subject of attitude, they recommend making aspirations more focused and attainable as one ages, something they see as leading to greater happiness and life satisfaction. Though no one can guarantee a long, healthy life, Larson and DeClaire help stack the odds in readers’ favor with their informative work.

May 15, 2017
This can-do guide gives commonsense, doable advice on how to proactively create a path to a meaningful life. Refreshingly, Larson, a physician studying how to delay and prevent Alzheimer's and declines in memory, with health journalist DeClaire, promotes cost-free approaches rather than pushing particular medicines, supplements, or regimens. Instead, he recommends ways to build resilience by filling mental, physical, and social reserves. If you come to aging fully resourced, activated, and aware of the challenges ahead, you're going to have a much richer, more satisfying experience, Larson writes. One challenge: dementia happens to one third of people aged 85 to 90 and half of those aged 90 to 95. Larson observes that employment can be an important part of identity and self-esteem, but he advises readers to make time for exercise, hobbies, and visits with loved ones. One 73-year-old, for example, teaches yoga every day and chauffeurs her grandsons. This thoughtful, easy-to-read book can help people of any age learn how to boost the likelihood of a long, fulfilling life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)