The Gift of Aging
Growing Older with Purpose, Planning and Positivity

Science-based facts, medical and legal advice and practical wisdom from elders to finding joy, vitality and purpose in growing older.

Marcy Cottrell Houle (Author), Elizabeth Eckstrom (Author)

9781009330732, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 June 2023

225 pages
21.5 x 14.1 x 1.6 cm, 0.38 kg

Award-winning authors Marcy Houle and Elizabeth Eckstrom have teamed up again following the success of their critically acclaimed book The Gift of Caring, winner of the 2016 National Christopher Award. This new book blends frontline science with inspirational stories and insights from wise elders for aging with health, joy, and purpose. The book explains how our bodies and brains age, defining what can be expected with aging and what is unusual. It demonstrates ways we can significantly increase our chances for a positive aging experience into our 80s, 90s and 100s. It offers key strategies for meeting the challenges of aging, informs us of issues of inclusion and equity, and advises on handling legal and financial affairs. The Gift of Aging illustrates how we can make the third act of our lives meaningful and fulfilling, ensuring we as elders can make a difference in our world.

Introduction
1. Map and Compass
Part I. Caring for Your Mind: 2. A goal higher than joy
3. Why does having purpose matter? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
4. An open and determined mindset
5. Autonomy: impossible without adaptability Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
6. Dance, Lucille, dance
7. The golden spurtle
8. Is retirement bad for my health and well-being? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
9. Humanitude-why human connection is vital for everyone
10. 106-proof
11. Killing us quietly. Why social isolation is as bad for us as smoking Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
12. Brain health across the life span. What can I do now to prevent dementia later on? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
Part II. Caring for Your Body: 13. Protect your bones throughout your life Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
14. Why your bladder, kidney and perineal health matters Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
15. Help! My blood pressure is going up, I'm dizzy when I stand, and every doctor tells me something different about my cholesterol! What do I do? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
16. Our muscles throughout the life span: build resilience now to prevent frailty later Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
17. The wonderful world of microbiota and the value of the Mediterranean diet Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
18. What happens to our immune system as we age? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
19. The problem with pain and what we can do about it Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
20. Don't give in and live with pain. First, give physical therapy a try Darla Philips, PT, DPT, ATC, OCS
Part III. Caring for Yourself and Your Family: Practical Planning: 21. Who needs an estate plan? Everyone Wendy K. Goidel, Esq
22. Financial planning through the decades Wendy K. Goidel, Esq
23. An ethical will: leaving your legacy to loved ones Wendy K. Goidel, Esq
24. You've become a caregiver. Now what? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
25. So many living arrangements. Which one for you? Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
26. Do this one simple thing and add 7.5 years to your life! Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
Part IV: Caring for Your Soul: 27. I don't want to go downstairs!
28. How not to be afraid of dying and ensure that your family remembers your death as a peaceful one Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
29. Only two things
30. Grief and loss: normal parts of aging. not to be missed Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
31. Living to make a difference
32. The great leveler
33. View from the mountain
34. The healing power of nature Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
35. The best place in the world to grow old Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
36. From revolution to pandemic
37. The power of positivity Elizabeth Eckstrom MD, MPH, MACP
38. An incredible journey
Afterword
Acknowledgements
Elizabeth's original Mediterranean diet recipes
Index.

Subject Areas: Coping with old age [VFJG], Geriatric medicine [MJX], Neurology & clinical neurophysiology [MJN], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Psychology of ageing [JMD], Society & culture: general [JF]