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Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging
Age is an important number, but it can also be deceiving. After 40, most people say they feel younger than their years, some lie about their age, and many attempt to hide the signs of growing old.
Better with Age addresses the many myths and paradoxes about the aging process. Although most people think of their later years in terms of decline, they can be one of the best times in life. This book presents the latest scientific research about the psychology of aging, coupled with insights from those who have succeeded in doing it well, such as Maya Angelou, Bob Newhart, Jared Diamond, John Glenn, and John Wooden.
We are all aging, and many people are concerned about what to expect with advancing years. Retirement, happiness, and brain health are some of the many topics covered in this book. Better with Age shows what we can do now, at any stage in life, to make sure we enjoy old age.
Better with Age addresses the many myths and paradoxes about the aging process. Although most people think of their later years in terms of decline, they can be one of the best times in life. This book presents the latest scientific research about the psychology of aging, coupled with insights from those who have succeeded in doing it well, such as Maya Angelou, Bob Newhart, Jared Diamond, John Glenn, and John Wooden.
We are all aging, and many people are concerned about what to expect with advancing years. Retirement, happiness, and brain health are some of the many topics covered in this book. Better with Age shows what we can do now, at any stage in life, to make sure we enjoy old age.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2018
76 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 17, 2021
Doris Jean, my dear Goodreads friend, sent me "Better with Age" so I felt compelled to read it even though I personally found it depressing. I will tell you why in a moment, but first let me tell you what it is about.
It was actually a pretty informative book. The author, a professor at UCLA, interviewed many older people to get their feedback on how they view old age. He also mentions studies that were done to support his advice on how to get the most out of your golden years, physically and mentally. The waste of neglecting older folks and what they have to offer is covered as is the detrimental health issues that arise when the elderly are forgotten.
One may ask, "So if it is such a good book, then what is my problem?" Well, my problem is that in most of the things he says, I am the outlier. From my experience, an outlier is data that professionals discard if it doesn't make sense to them. You see, I had trouble connecting with all these fine folks (he name drops a lot) he got his information from. They were professionals who not only loved their job and coworkers, students, or team members, but they didn't want to retire. I couldn't wait to retire and leave some of those jerks behind! He says that according to studies, most older folks only want to be ten years younger if given the chance. Heck, if I was 70 why would I want to be 60 when I could be 20? But is that just me? Those are just two of my examples. I can't think of the others at the moment.
There were a few times he contradicted himself. He said that walking is good for you. It not only is good exercise for the body but it stimulates blood flow to the brain to possibly fight off dementia. Remember that if you remember nothing else about this review. He even suggested walking backwards a bit while clapping your hands or something to stimulate your brain. The problem was that it was either before or after that that he mentioned someone spending the night on a cold bathroom floor after falling down and breaking some bones. He also said something to the effect that this book wasn't about dementia or Alzheimer's yet much of the advice was geared towards memory loss. I don't know how many times he mentioned folks losing their car keys. I forget.
Overall it would be a useful book for most folks. I just didn't see myself fitting in.
It was actually a pretty informative book. The author, a professor at UCLA, interviewed many older people to get their feedback on how they view old age. He also mentions studies that were done to support his advice on how to get the most out of your golden years, physically and mentally. The waste of neglecting older folks and what they have to offer is covered as is the detrimental health issues that arise when the elderly are forgotten.
One may ask, "So if it is such a good book, then what is my problem?" Well, my problem is that in most of the things he says, I am the outlier. From my experience, an outlier is data that professionals discard if it doesn't make sense to them. You see, I had trouble connecting with all these fine folks (he name drops a lot) he got his information from. They were professionals who not only loved their job and coworkers, students, or team members, but they didn't want to retire. I couldn't wait to retire and leave some of those jerks behind! He says that according to studies, most older folks only want to be ten years younger if given the chance. Heck, if I was 70 why would I want to be 60 when I could be 20? But is that just me? Those are just two of my examples. I can't think of the others at the moment.
There were a few times he contradicted himself. He said that walking is good for you. It not only is good exercise for the body but it stimulates blood flow to the brain to possibly fight off dementia. Remember that if you remember nothing else about this review. He even suggested walking backwards a bit while clapping your hands or something to stimulate your brain. The problem was that it was either before or after that that he mentioned someone spending the night on a cold bathroom floor after falling down and breaking some bones. He also said something to the effect that this book wasn't about dementia or Alzheimer's yet much of the advice was geared towards memory loss. I don't know how many times he mentioned folks losing their car keys. I forget.
Overall it would be a useful book for most folks. I just didn't see myself fitting in.
June 28, 2019
Written by a UCLA professor who I have met and heard make presentations, I was intrigued enough by the details I would find in his book. Some of those details are:
1. "One reason older adults might be happier has to do with the quality, not just the number, of relationships they have with others. While older adults tend to have smaller social circles than those of younger adults, this decrease in the total number of friends might result in nurturing more important friendships. As a result, studies suggest that friendships improve with age."
2. "It is clear that some people are morning types, while others are night owls. There is research suggesting that being an early riser is associated with greater emotional stability and levels of happiness. In addition, this research suggests that, in general, morning types tend to be higher in positive affect relative to night owls." [As a confirmed non-night owl and a confirmed non-early riser as well, I guess I am expected to struggle with that conflict but frankly I am not worried about it.]
3. "Thus, the pursuit of happiness in old age can have benefits, in terms of both physical and mental health."
4. Lifelong reading, especially in older age, may be one of the secrets to preserving mental ability. Remaining a bookworm into old age reduced memory decline by more than 30%.
5. Competition can motivate people at any age. [So the mental gymnastics I do with my wife and the competitive duplicate bridge I play would seem to meet the competition mandate.]
6. Walking appears to be universally accepted as beneficial both physically and mentally. But one should not overdo it. "Physical exercise has had the most meaningful observed effect on memory."
7. By and large, the vast amount of research and money being spent on mental games has not as of yet proved their worth absolutely. An interesting and possibly arguable viewpoint.
8. If and when you retire, what will you miss most? For those who have already retired and have a better idea of what retired life is actually like, missing social connections is by far the most cited concern. [I have always said that connectivity with my colleagues and some but not all clients is the most important thing I miss from my career with PwC.]
9. Two last thoughts covered by Castel which I wholeheartedly support:
a. Grandparenting is one of the most enjoyable and meaningful life experiences and should be extensively pursued.
b. Don't worry about things you can't control. The advice regarding spilled milk is absolutely valid. Don't sweat the small stuff!
1. "One reason older adults might be happier has to do with the quality, not just the number, of relationships they have with others. While older adults tend to have smaller social circles than those of younger adults, this decrease in the total number of friends might result in nurturing more important friendships. As a result, studies suggest that friendships improve with age."
2. "It is clear that some people are morning types, while others are night owls. There is research suggesting that being an early riser is associated with greater emotional stability and levels of happiness. In addition, this research suggests that, in general, morning types tend to be higher in positive affect relative to night owls." [As a confirmed non-night owl and a confirmed non-early riser as well, I guess I am expected to struggle with that conflict but frankly I am not worried about it.]
3. "Thus, the pursuit of happiness in old age can have benefits, in terms of both physical and mental health."
4. Lifelong reading, especially in older age, may be one of the secrets to preserving mental ability. Remaining a bookworm into old age reduced memory decline by more than 30%.
5. Competition can motivate people at any age. [So the mental gymnastics I do with my wife and the competitive duplicate bridge I play would seem to meet the competition mandate.]
6. Walking appears to be universally accepted as beneficial both physically and mentally. But one should not overdo it. "Physical exercise has had the most meaningful observed effect on memory."
7. By and large, the vast amount of research and money being spent on mental games has not as of yet proved their worth absolutely. An interesting and possibly arguable viewpoint.
8. If and when you retire, what will you miss most? For those who have already retired and have a better idea of what retired life is actually like, missing social connections is by far the most cited concern. [I have always said that connectivity with my colleagues and some but not all clients is the most important thing I miss from my career with PwC.]
9. Two last thoughts covered by Castel which I wholeheartedly support:
a. Grandparenting is one of the most enjoyable and meaningful life experiences and should be extensively pursued.
b. Don't worry about things you can't control. The advice regarding spilled milk is absolutely valid. Don't sweat the small stuff!
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June 9, 2021This is a very good book. Especially for young people who can most benefit by heeding some of the suggestions now for their future pay- off. Entertaining and also honest and accurate. Dr. Castel cites the most recent professional research conclusions to offer guidance about aging and memory preservation. He presents interviews with contemporary famous elders and their opinions and experiences on being old.
Some things to ponder: a lifelong reading habit staves off memory decline by 30%. If there is one single thing most important for healthy aging of body and memory, it seems to be physical exercise. Another very significant factor which may be under-estimated is attitude, the emotional terrain.
Dr.Castel also disappointingly but truthfully lays out the contemporary research results which fail to show benefits from some of the hopeful trends to sustain memory.
The writing is very comfortable for every day reading and is not too technical. An enjoyable and thoughtful book for a serious subject.
Some things to ponder: a lifelong reading habit staves off memory decline by 30%. If there is one single thing most important for healthy aging of body and memory, it seems to be physical exercise. Another very significant factor which may be under-estimated is attitude, the emotional terrain.
Dr.Castel also disappointingly but truthfully lays out the contemporary research results which fail to show benefits from some of the hopeful trends to sustain memory.
The writing is very comfortable for every day reading and is not too technical. An enjoyable and thoughtful book for a serious subject.
November 2, 2021
Castel tries too hard to be breezy and inspiring. I dislike his appeals to celebrities.
April 17, 2021
Better with age on what? Evaluating situations and circumstances, knowing what we want and how to value things, how to be happy, and so on.
A positive book that lets you believe that your aging has many advantages and brings quality in your late life. Scientific researches on memory, happiness gives an interesting perspective on what’s happening with us and how your attitude can be more valuable than your healthy nutrition.
In some chapters, I felt that author saturated storytelling with only one side of the truth focusing on positives only and for me, it seemed that he overstretched it sometimes.
Anyway, I found this book full of interesting facts which you can use in chitchatting with friends.
A positive book that lets you believe that your aging has many advantages and brings quality in your late life. Scientific researches on memory, happiness gives an interesting perspective on what’s happening with us and how your attitude can be more valuable than your healthy nutrition.
In some chapters, I felt that author saturated storytelling with only one side of the truth focusing on positives only and for me, it seemed that he overstretched it sometimes.
Anyway, I found this book full of interesting facts which you can use in chitchatting with friends.
January 20, 2020
This book was very interesting and gave me a different perspective on aging. Some of the concepts in this book and the way that older people think of life compared to younger people was very interesting. As I read this book it reminded me a little bit of reading a textbook. Not the boring part about the textbook but the fact that at the end of every chapter it had a summary of what was in the chapter. I really liked that. I believe that a lot of younger people should read this book because a lot of young people are afraid of aging and I think this book would put aging into a different light for them. Being around some elderly people can be very interesting.
March 28, 2020
Found this to be a lovely perspective on aging. Made me feel less anxious about what i am losing as I age, and more excited about who I am becoming. Perfect gift for my parents.
January 25, 2021
Just a lot of common sense and this is what we learned... this is what might happen and if you do this it could... nothing concrete. 🤨
January 17, 2023
I read this book for a Lifelong Learning class I am taking. Undergraduate students are also reading the book, and we are discussing it together. The book itself is a good synthesis of the research on successful aging. He defines successful aging as feeling productive, mentally fit, and able to live a meaningful life. He argues that successful aging starts when we're young with our attitudes about aging, and he notes that pervasive ageism in our culture can cause us to internalize negative attitudes about growing older.
As I said, the book is a good synthesis. Aging is one of my research subjects, so I didn't find much that was new here, but if you want to learn what the research says about aging, this is a good place to start. I'm currently reading Dancing with the Muse in Old Age by Priscilla Long, and I like it better, so stay tuned for that review.
As I said, the book is a good synthesis. Aging is one of my research subjects, so I didn't find much that was new here, but if you want to learn what the research says about aging, this is a good place to start. I'm currently reading Dancing with the Muse in Old Age by Priscilla Long, and I like it better, so stay tuned for that review.
July 6, 2022
Alan D. Castel’s Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging argued that older individuals were happier than younger people. He looked at how people’s memory could be improved. As a Professor of Psychology at UCLA Castel referred to a number of studies on aging and memory. These showed that the best way to improve one’s memory was through exercise and reading.
Mention was made of those older individuals that put their trust in crossword puzzles, computers, and other games. But Castel showed that there wasn’t proof that those did the trick. Yet, it was demonstrated that much depended on people’s attitude. If they thought positively about whatever they felt would help them, they did somewhat better because they believed the exercise would improve their memory.
Mention was made of those older individuals that put their trust in crossword puzzles, computers, and other games. But Castel showed that there wasn’t proof that those did the trick. Yet, it was demonstrated that much depended on people’s attitude. If they thought positively about whatever they felt would help them, they did somewhat better because they believed the exercise would improve their memory.
November 4, 2021
This non-fiction book provides insightful information in homage to older people the author has known and loved. He joyfully challenges our assumptions about aging and how while yes - some things get harder, we also are surprisingly adaptable given the information, skills, and social networks we build over the years and that it's completely reasonable to expect our older years to be some of the best of our lives. Really enjoyed this book, and honestly think it's got me not only looking forward to the later years of my life, but makes me feel less rushed, so enjoying the ones I have now more too.
December 31, 2022
Good book. But it should’ve been about 1/3 shorter. The first half was really good. Lots of interesting insight into lots of different insights! There are plenty of informative, interesting, and down to earth stories to relate to, there’s lots of study results that are broken down and discussed, and plenty of cadence from the author that I felt was appropriate, agreeable, and even funny at times. BUT…not unlike my review, it became kind of boring, felt a bit repetitive, and just seemed that the author wanted to keep going when in my humble opinion I just felt as if he left me behind awhile ago…Good book though for sure.
March 8, 2024
I was lucky enough to attend one of Castel’s lectures at UCLA parent weekend a few years back. He is a great public speaker. A lot of info in this book is just common sense, but backed up with Scientific studies and interviews with semi famous elderly people. There were intentional and unintentional spelling errors, and by the fifth time that Castel mentioned Jared Diamond, I was all too aware that Diamond is a Pullitzer prize winning author and Geographer. Take away is walk more often, and be more social.
September 2, 2021
This is a good book to read about aging. I don't agree with everything the author says, but it is still a valuable book. The best advice, attributed to Eubie Blake, is to take better care of yourself because you might live longer than you think. That is the bottom line.
February 10, 2023
Not judging and factual. Mosaic of facts and examples that leads one to form his own image of elderhood and possible strategies to it. That narrator is horrible for me with that German like softening and question like tip on the end of his words. Raising narration speed made it somewhat better.
November 19, 2018
Not well done.
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September 13, 2019155.67 C3481 2019
July 13, 2020
운동해라. 봉사해라. 친한 친구를 만나라. 중요한것들 지금하고 강한 메타인지 (내가 알고 모를는것을 잘 판단해라) 두뇌를 많이 자극하고, 몸을 많이 움직여라. 독서는 다른 누군과의 입장에서 현실에서 어떤일이 일어날수있을지 단서해석잘하고, 사람들을 이해한다. 상황정서적 처리를 도와준다. 뇌손상역시 감퇴속도가 느려진다. 기억감퇴역시 느리다. 치매역시 느리다. 활짝 많이 웃어라. 손글씨 써라. 개인적 가치가 있다. 컴퓨러로 쓰는것보다 손으로 쓰라. 긍정적인 마음으로. 하루에 2-3 시간씩, 그리고 바꾸어서 다른 운동도 시도 해보아라. 사람이 만든것 먹지말고, 하나님이 준 생음식을 먹어라. 걸어라. 관계가 중요하다. 이야기 하면서 얼굴 보면서 사람들과의 관계에, 매일 이상적인 목적을 달성하라. 친절 하게 되고, 은퇴하지 마라. 지적자극… 끝까지 일해라. 일하지 않으면 생명은 썩는다. 허나 여가 역시 중요하다. 어떻게 여유로은 시간을 보내는가 엄청중요하다. 교회친구, 여행친구, 운동친구들 꼭 필요하다. 은퇴후의 삶, 용불용설 (뇌는 쓰면 쓸쓰록 발달). 행복한 삶을 위해서, 가족들과의 거리가 필요하다. 배우고자 하는 욕구… 죽을때까지 계속해서 공부하자. 감사하자. 걱정할 가치조차 없는것 빨리 버리자. 걱정하지 말자! 신뢰하지 않고 싫어하는 사람들 멀어져라. 친구들 현명하게 선택할 필요가 있다
~ 성공적인 노화
~ 기억/지혜/예리한 삶/능동적인 삶/습관과 취미/ 새로운 친구들/지금 시작해
~ 성공적인 노화
~ 기억/지혜/예리한 삶/능동적인 삶/습관과 취미/ 새로운 친구들/지금 시작해
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews