Enlightened Aging: Building Resilience for a Long, Active Life

by Eric B. Larson, Joan DeClaire

A leading expert in the science of healthy aging, Dr. Eric B. Larson offers practical advice for growing old with resilience and foresight. More than just canned advice, Enlightened Aging proposes a path to resilience one that s proven to help many stave off disability until very old age. The steps on this path include pro-activity, acceptance, and building and maintaining good physical, mental, and social health

Using inspiring stories from Dr. Larson s experiences with study participants, patients, friends, and relatives, Enlightened Aging will help readers determine what their paths can look like given their own experiences and circumstances. It informs readers of the scientific evidence behind new perspectives on aging. It inspires readers with stories of people who are approaching aging with enlightened attitudes. It offers advice and resources for readers to build their own reserves for old age. It recommends ways for readers to work with their doctors to stay as healthy as possible for their age. And it offers ideas for building better communities for our aging population. While especially relevant to the baby boom generation, this work is really for people of all ages looking for encouragement and wise counsel in order to live a long, active life. "

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Health

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2017

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-Most of the patient stories are about wealthy, highly educated, privileged people and the discussed aging choices also generally represent privilege at this point in our society. It is too repetitive at times. However, it is a timely book that might help those dealing with aging decisions today.

[Ellyn Lem · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are shelves filled with books on aging these days as the numbers indicate a growing segment of our population with be over 65 by the year 2020--one in six. The "niche" of this particular book is that it is written by a doctor who has been involved in longitudinal studies on preventing and delaying Alzheimer's and dementia. Like Atul Gawande's hugely important book "On Being Mortal," this one, too, nicely balances the latest findings from medical research with more personal anecdotes of Larson's patients and family members. What I appreciated about the stories he includes is that he is not just presenting "superstars" who evade the normal wear and tear of aging on the body and mind, that often are trumpeted in the news. His "people" are often remarkable (the tango dancer in her hundreds), but he avoids the simplistic equation of "you, too, can be like them"); instead, he draws important lessons from their stories, often that exhibit people can have some degree of control over how their bodies change over time and the decisions that go along with those changes. While I already am a huge proponent of exercise, "Enlightened Aging" should make everyone want to get up on their feet as being physically active in some way will be a boon to your emotional, physical and mental well being in more ways than a person can imagine. Similarly, the sections on smoking and alcohol should also make people take a second look if they indeed want to "mark" their bodies for damage down the road as Larson has witnessed first hand. Scary stuff!

[Pamela Okano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a common sense primer on how to age well. Most of it, many of you will know, but it's always good to have it repeated, especially by a physician. The volume would make a nice companion piece to Atul Gawande's Being Mortal.

[Gwenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

there was a lot in this book. you have to be a part of things to keep involved in living. you have to care for people you have to be active and take care of your health. I liked the idea of starting over when you retire - just think you have decades left - you could start a new career, make lots of new friends, find and enjoy new interests. don't stay stuck where you are at. and when you are ready to die - think about how you want to go - make plans and accept. there was no preachiness about anything - there were facts and suggestions, but nothing made me feel like someone was forcing me to live (or die) a certain way.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I confess that I didn't really finish it. I found it to be trite and full of information that is just common sense, backed by some medical studies/information. But what really annoyed me was the presumption of the author that every older person could afford to do some of the things he was suggesting. It should have been titled "Enlightened Aging for the Upper Middle Class."
I don't normally read self-help books and this one didn't convince me that I should.

[Meepspeeps · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author weaves some heartwarming and sobering stories into his campaign message for Baby Boomers to "rebel" and make modern medicine work better for them as they age. Mental decline? exercise. Chronic disease? exercise. Common physical declines from aging? exercise. Avoid drugs and surgeries whenever possible. The last chapter about planning the last days and death with dignity is the best one. I recommend it for peeps aged about 55 to 100.

[Bud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Eric Larson, Medical Director at UW Medicine and geriatrician, writes a down-to-earth book advising practices that build health and build resilience for later years of life. The book is based on his years in practice and gives examples of his patients and families to illustrate his recommendations. The book covers all aspects of preventive medicine with a range of topics from infectious diseases and injuries to housing, mental hygiene, and end of life planning.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Dr. Larson, is an internist with connections to University of Washington. He provides numerous examples of former elderly patients and their efforts at continually building resilience physically, mentally and socially as he relates the steps he encourages all older people to consider. It is a quick 200 page read with the final section dealing with considerations of death. Notes and index.

[Rob Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book with advice on how to age well, based on research that originated in a 30+ year study conducted jointly by the University of Washington and Group Health (now Kaiser Permanente). The book was written by a physician and lead researcher at the UW, specifically for a lay audience. I read this as I was approaching my retirement, and I found it to be very helpful.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help for aging with resilience and being active.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book with guidelines for your life. Even in my 80s, it is not too late to improve my health and attitude.

[Jeannette Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the research-based facts about aging, complete with footnotes, citations, and an excellent bibliography, this is the book for you. It’s lengthy, but quite readable, and an absolutely reliable reference for aging well—something we all want for ourselves and others. If you want a cheaper and even easier to read book, perhaps you might prefer Intentional Aging by Jeannette Franks.

[Walkandread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive and research-based plan for aging well.

[DanaLewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, a must read for Baby Boomers

This book provides transition information for those that are approaching retirement age. Retirement gives you the opportunity to have time to do all the things on your bucket list. It's also overwhelming as you seek to know that you made difference with your life. This book provides a thoughtful series of topics for you to consider. This is a reference that you will revisit thru out your journey.

[Virginia Serna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas for someone of every age to get the most out of life, stay healthy, and keep your mind sharp.

[Mary-ann Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on aging well. Nice examples and very interesting material.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to age!!

[Chris]

This has the balance between anecdotes and published research that I find most useful in a self-health book. Easy to read because of the breezy, straightforward style. Easy to learn from because of the clearly presented evidence.

Disclosure: The authors are my bosses, so I'm biased. They know their stuff, though.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reinforces what I believe and suggests changes that I plan to make