Welcome to the dazzling new world of SuperAging, where everything you’ve been taught about aging is challenged. Getting older does not need to mean the end of accomplishment and growth. For SuperAgers, the period after age sixty-five can be one of the most productive and fulfilling times of life.
SuperAging is already a reality for millions. But the science, business, and culture of aging have changed at such a rapid pace that they can be hard to keep up with. That’s where authors David Cravit and Larry Wolf can help. They’ve broken SuperAging down into seven simple components—Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Autonomy, Achievement, Attachment, and Avoidance—and in this groundbreaking book, they show how you can put these forces to work in your own life. From taking control of your health and health care to revolutionary ways of thinking about retirement, money, housing, and even relationships, you’ll discover how to make your seventies, eighties, nineties, and beyond some of the best years of your life. Why settle for getting old when you can thrive?
SuperAging is not the typical 'how to stay healthy and live a long, active life' book. It is, in fact, far more in depth about the culture and politics surrounding aging, and how to leverage technological and social advances to your advantage as you live an active, independent life well into your 70's, 80's and beyond.
I have read numerous books about the healthy choices that enable humans to live healthier and longer, and found SuperAging to be a refreshing, informative twist on the topic of aging. With numerous ideas and resources for aging in place and maintaining independence well beyond what has previously been expected, the authors have created a reference that should be required reading for everyone who has reached the point in life where retirement is an option or who is related to or involved with someone of retirement age.
Thank you to Netgalley and Flashpoint for the digital ARC of SuperAging by David Cravit and Larry Wolf. The opinions in this review are my own.
I expected an overview of trends in superaging, I am a marketing consultant to the older adult market. This book, however, is a how to rather for those who are over 60 and looking to maximise it. It is broken into seven simple components -Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Autonomy, Achievement, Attachment, and Avoidance -and nothing is done in much depth but it is a different approach to the general one of aging and I think that is positive. It is good to see the conversation changing.
This book transforms the way we approach growing older with practical guidance for a vibrant and fulfilling life.
In today’s changing world, the concepts of ageing and ageism have undergone profound transformations. People are living longer, healthier lives, challenging age-old stereotypes and redefining what it means to grow older. With this shift comes a pressing need to address the issue of ageing holistically, embracing not just the physical aspects but also the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of this universal human experience.
In this review, we turn our attention to SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old, a remarkable literary work authored by David Cravit and Larry Wolf. This book is a trailblazing exploration of the profound shifts in the landscape of ageing, celebrating extraordinary individuals who have shattered traditional notions of decline and limitation by achieving remarkable feats well into their later years.
About the authors
David Cravit is an established expert in reporting on ageing and related topics.
He holds the position of Vice President at ZoomerMedia, Canada’s primary media company catering to the older demographic, and serves as the Chief Membership Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of CARP, Canada’s counterpart to AARP. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing valuable insights into the emerging trends shaping SuperAging.
Larry Wolf excels in spotting trends and capitalising on them.
He has advised Fortune 500 companies and governments on branding and communication strategies. Larry transformed the Wolf Group, initially a two-person consultancy, into a large international advertising agency with offices in seven U.S. and Canadian cities. His company played a vital role in launching numerous successful brands. Recently, Larry recognised trends arising from longer lifespans and seized the chance to unify and brand the crucial factors contributing to success.
What is the book about?
SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old by David Cravit and Larry Wolf is a groundbreaking exploration of the remarkable shifts in ageing and how people are redefining what it means to grow older in today’s world. The book begins by highlighting extraordinary individuals like Julia ‘Hurricane’ Hawkins and Sir Tom Moore, who achieved remarkable feats well into their 90s and 100s, challenging conventional notions of ageing.
The central theme of the book is the concept of SuperAging, which represents a radical departure from traditional ideas of ageing. In contrast to the old paradigm of DefaultAging, where ageing is viewed as a period of decline, SuperAging introduces a dynamic, positive phase of life filled with growth, development, and new possibilities.
The book identifies seven key pillars, known as the ‘7 A’s of SuperAging,’ which collectively empower individuals to embrace SuperAging. These pillars include:
1. Attitude: A positive outlook that envisions an exciting future filled with possibilities.
2. Awareness: The ability to actively seek and consume information across various topics relevant to ageing.
3. Activity: Expanding the scope of physical and mental activity, encompassing learning new skills and approaches to health.
4. Accomplishment: Rejecting the traditional concept of retirement and continuing to achieve goals and pursue personal development.
5. Autonomy: Maintaining independence and control over one’s living situation and finances.
6. Attachment: Expanding social connections and relationships, leveraging technology to combat isolation.
7. Avoidance: Identifying and challenging negative forces, such as ageism and scams targeting older individuals.
Through these pillars, SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old encourages readers to transition from a mindset focused on managing decline to one that emphasises personal growth, purpose, and seizing the opportunities that come with longer lifespans. The book provides practical guidance and strategies for each of these areas, offering a roadmap for readers to embark on their own SuperAging journey.
Three key takeaways from SuperAging
1.By being proactive about diet, exercise and brain health, you can unlock the power of SuperAging
In SuperAging, the authors emphasise the importance of cultivating a positive Attitude and maintaining a high level of Awareness as the foundation for embracing the SuperAging mindset. These two pillars serve as the cornerstones upon which all other components of SuperAging are built. Activity, the first of the seven A’s, focuses on promoting physical and mental health, covering areas such as wellness, diet, exercise, and brain health. The book provides practical, science-backed guidance in these areas, ensuring that the strategies presented are credible, achievable, and adaptable to one’s lifestyle.
Moreover, the book introduces the concept of integrating various aspects of wellness into a total lifestyle approach, drawing inspiration from the Blue Zones Project – an initiative that identifies common denominators in communities with high longevity rates. The Blue Zones’ holistic approach encourages individuals to move naturally, find purpose, reduce stress, follow a plant-based diet, drink alcohol in moderation, be part of a faith-based community, prioritise family, and maintain strong social networks.
By seamlessly integrating these principles into daily life, SuperAgers can enhance their overall well-being and longevity, ultimately redefining the ageing process.
2.Addressing ageism is crucial to thrive and advance the SuperAging mission
In the final chapter of the book, the focus turns to Avoidance, highlighting critical issues that SuperAgers need to navigate in the new world of ageing. Ageism, both in the workplace and the marketplace, poses significant challenges.
Age discrimination at work can hinder SuperAgers’ career prospects and opportunities, while ageist marketing perpetuates outdated stereotypes and slows down the development and adoption of products and services designed for older individuals. Recognising and combating ageism is crucial for SuperAgers to continue thriving and advancing the SuperAging mission, ensuring they are seen, heard, and respected in society.
3.Attachment is an essential element of healthy ageing
In the book, the importance of Attachment, or strong social connections and relationships, is emphasised like never before. Scientific research has shown that social isolation and loneliness can have severe negative effects on physical and mental health, equivalent to the harm caused by smoking or unhealthy weight.
SuperAgers recognise the significance of maintaining attachments as they age and actively seek strategies to foster and strengthen them. Digital technology has emerged as a powerful tool to combat isolation, allowing older individuals to connect with others, engage in activities, and receive emotional support.
The SuperAging mindset encourages individuals to proactively address unsatisfying relationships and seek new ones, contributing to a trend of ‘grey divorces.’ Overall, Attachment is not only a desirable environmental or behavioural condition but a biological necessity for healthier ageing and longevity in the SuperAging world.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths: • Challenges traditional expectations of ageing by presenting fresh ideas and strategies to make the later years of life more fulfilling. • Offers practical advice and recommendations for ageing in place and leveraging technological and social advances for an active, independent lifestyle. • Is not limited to older readers; it is a relevant reference for anyone approaching retirement age or involved with someone in that phase of life.
Weaknesses: • The absence of chapter conclusions or summaries is a significant limitation of the book. Readers may find it helpful to have concise recaps at the end of each chapter to reinforce key takeaways and facilitate better retention of the material.
Best quotes from SuperAging
“Baby Boomers in particular have always been tech-savvy, embracing every new tech possibility (from the Commodore 64 to Facebook) as it came along. It’s a complete myth to characterize them as not being capable of using and leveraging digital technology, including taking full advantage of its ability to contribute to greater Attachment.”
“The negative feelings that younger generations have toward older people have more to do with characterizing them as frail and helpless rather than seeing them as serious adversaries. This same lens is applied even by those who care about older people; a patina of well-meaning condescension prevails. Seniors can’t do much anymore. They have little or nothing to look forward to. But they’ve worked hard, and they deserve an exit scene with at least some dignity built in – it’s that ‘there, there, dear’ syndrome.”
“SuperAging is not just promoting Autonomy or independence; it’s forcing important changes in the concept of dependence.”
Final takeaway
SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old by David Cravit and Larry Wolf offers an eye-opening perspective on ageing that challenges traditional expectations and presents fresh ideas and strategies for making the later years of life more fulfilling. The book’s comprehensive exploration of the ‘7 A’s of SuperAging’ provides readers with a holistic roadmap for embracing a dynamic and positive phase of life. It encourages a shift from managing decline to prioritising personal growth, purpose, and seizing the opportunities that come with longer lifespans.
Overall, SuperAging is a valuable reference for those seeking to age gracefully and live an active, independent life well into their later years, making it essential reading for anyone interested in redefining their ageing journey.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
"SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old" by David Cravit and Larry Wolf is a thought-provoking exploration of aging in the modern world. The book challenges the traditional narrative of aging as a decline, offering instead a vision of later life filled with potential for growth, productivity, and fulfillment.
The authors present a compelling case for what they term "SuperAging," a stage of life where individuals, free from the constraints of earlier life stages, can pursue their passions with vigor and autonomy. The book is structured around seven key components—Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Autonomy, Achievement, Attachment, and Avoidance—which serve as a framework for readers to reassess their own perceptions of aging and to embrace the opportunities it presents.
Cravit and Wolf's writing is both accessible and engaging, blending scientific research with practical advice. They provide actionable strategies for readers to take control of their health, finances, and social lives, emphasizing the importance of staying active and connected.
One of the book's strengths is its optimistic yet realistic tone. The authors do not shy away from the challenges of aging but encourage readers to confront these obstacles with a proactive mindset. They advocate for a cultural shift in how society views older individuals—not as burdens, but as valuable contributors with a wealth of experience.
"SuperAging" is an essential read for anyone looking to approach their later years with confidence and purpose. It serves as a guidebook for navigating the uncharted waters of extended life expectancy, offering a blueprint for a fulfilling and vibrant third act of life.
The authors argue for, and demonstrate the need for, a new view of aging — less retiring at 65 and waiting to die, more living healthily and productively for 30 or more years after the traditional retirement age. They identify 7 areas in which aging requires new thinking: Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Autonomy, Achievement, Attachment, and Avoidance, which is more of a marketing gimmick (all As!) than a useful delineation of the topic, but there’s still a ton of interesting and perhaps surprising information in here. Personally, I was a bit put off by the self-help, rah-rah tone of the book, which I felt interfered with the good information it contained. And the author’s generalization about how Super Agers NEED to continue working if they are to have enough money to live that long (which they raise several times) is probably accurate civilization-wide, but not for everyone and it definitely brought me up short each time it is mentioned. In fact, the whole emphasis on paid work feels off-base to me — any work, paid or not, hits at least 3 of their A things, while having a job really covers only Autonomy. I don’t think that’s a deal-breaker for the book, but it did mean that a substantial chunk of it was not personally relevant to me, which sort of undermined the self-help nature of the book. Anyway, there is good info here that’s worth reading for anyone approaching or in that classic retirement age range.
Getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down—and The Super Aging Workbook by David Cravit and Larry Wolf @super.aging proves it! This upbeat, easy-to-follow guide breaks down the seven pillars of “superaging” (Attitude, Awareness, Activity, Accomplishment, Autonomy, Attachment, and Avoidance) into bite-sized lessons that actually make sense. Each chapter includes practical tips, from decluttering your space to reframing negative thoughts, plus fun daily challenges to keep your brain and body moving.
I love that it’s a workbook—there’s plenty of space to journal, reflect, and scribble your thoughts. And can we talk about the large print? Bless them for that! If you want to age with grace, energy, and purpose, this is one workbook you’ll actually enjoy filling out. It is available in audiobook also so that you can listen on your morning walk (hint, hint), but please do take the time to do the reflection sections - I think they are an essential part of the process.
I really liked this book! It has an entirely different focus than most books about aging, so even if you have others on your bookshelf, this is a great addition.
The book focuses on seven different areas of our lives: attitude, awareness, activity, autonomy, achievement, attachment, and avoidance. The coverage of each area is superb with many ideas that are worth careful consideration to make the aging process more enjoyable. The book promotes the idea that aging can be done in a healthier fashion with a better attitude than how people expected their golden years to be lived in the past. .
This book nails what seems to be all around us. Old people who are not acting old. In fact they are not acting they are living theirs lives to the fullest. It is all around.you, the 80 year old who still teaches and bikes 50km , the 100 year old who plays tennis and on and on. The trick is to not let your age define what you can do. Do what you can do and enjoy it. Superaging is here and this book gibes you the ideas and insights into how you can live out your days to the fullests. Highly recommend you read it
For anyone who is interested in becoming the best version of themselves as they can be. You must be willing to make changes in your lifestyle to become a "Super Ager|. It is possible to keep the hands of time moving more slowly so that the later years are just as great as the person's younger years. An interesting read for anyone who believes that you can make time slow down as you age rather than speeding up to the finish line!
I guess as a SuperAger I really identified with the book and was impressed by the research behind it. The world has changed and its about time it changed and recognized us.