In the past century, average life expectancies have nearly doubled, and today, for the first time in human history, many people have a realistic chance of living to eighty or beyond. As life expectancy increases, Americans need accurate, scientifically grounded information so that they can take full responsibility for their own later years. In The Art and Science of Aging Well, Mark E. Williams, M.D., discusses the remarkable advances that medical science has made in the field of aging and the steps that people may take to enhance their lives as they age. Through his own observations and by use of the most current medical research, Williams offers practical advice to help aging readers and those who care for them enjoy personal growth and approach aging with optimism and even joy. The Art and Science of Aging Well gives a realistic portrait of how aging occurs and provides important advice for self-improvement and philosophical, spiritual, and conscious evolution. Williams argues that we have considerable choice in determining the quality of our own old age. Refuting the perspective of aging that insists that personal, social, economic, and health care declines are persistent and inevitable, he takes a more holistic approach, revealing the multiple facets of old age. Williams provides the resources for a happy and productive later life.

In this deeply considered meditation on aging in Western culture, Jan Baars argues that, in today’s world, living longer does not necessarily mean living better. He contends that there has been an overall loss of respect for aging, to the point that understanding and "dealing with" aging people has become a process focused on the decline of potential and the advance of disease rather than on the accumulation of wisdom and the creation of new skills. To make his case, Baars compares and contrasts the works of such modern-era thinkers as Foucault, Heidegger, and Husserl with the thought of Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Cicero, and other Ancient and Stoic philosophers. He shows how people in the classical period—less able to control health hazards—had a far better sense of the provisional nature of living, which led to a philosophical and religious emphasis on cultivating the art of living and the idea of wisdom. This is not to say that modern society’s assessments of aging are insignificant, but they do need to balance an emphasis on the measuring of age with the concept of "living in time." Gerontologists, philosophers, and students will find Baars' discussion to be a powerful, perceptive conversation starter. -- W. Andrew Achenbaum, author of Older Americans, Vital Communities

Aging Well: Gerontological Education for Nurses and Other Health Professionals brings a fresh outlook to gerontological education and promotes the experience of aging as a positive circumstance, and elders as a treasure of society. Discussion centers on the application of research findings to encourage elders to rise above and beyond disability, to help them retain their identity of personhood, and integrate into society in general and their immediate community in particular. Contributors include individuals from the academic gerontological community and clinicians as well as experts from related fields such as social policy and community planning. This comprehensive text contains vital information necessary to caring for elders, including topics such as disease and disabilities associated with aging, to illuminate underlying philosophical tenants and social issues. Each chapter provides a summary of the key points with suggestions on how to apply them on a daily basis.

This book examines the unique characteristics of teaching foreign languages to senior learners. It discusses the potential age-related barriers and learning difficulties which may be encountered in senior foreign language education as well as solutions to overcome these challenges. The author describes the processes of human aging from different perspectives and introduces the concept of lifelong learning. The book proposes classroom practices, activities and materials that may be adopted when working with senior learners which will prove useful to teachers and teacher trainers, as well as to educational policymakers and planners. Furthermore, it describes potential modifications to educational programmes that may be introduced in order to eliminate affective barriers, making the learning material relevant and motivating, and encouraging the use of adult learning strategies.

This invaluable guide will help the historical number of eightysomethings live fulfilled, happy lives long into their twilight years. Old age is not what it used to be. For the first time ever, most people in the United States are living into their eighties. The first guide of its kind, Eightysomethings changes our understanding of old age with an upbeat and emotionally savvy view of the uncharted territory of the last stage of life. With insight and humor, Dr. Katharine Esty describes the series of dramatic and difficult transitions that eightysomethings usually experience and how, despite their losses, they so often find themselves unexpectedly happy. Living into one’s eighties doesn’t have to mean declining health and loneliness: Dr. Esty shows readers how to embrace—and thrive during—the later stages of life. Based on her more than 120 interviews around the country, Esty explores the lives of ordinary eightysomethings—their attitudes, activities, secrets, worries, purposes, and joys. Their stories illustrate how real people in their eighties are living and how they make sense of their lives. Esty adds her wisdom and perspective to this multi-dimensional look at being old as a social psychologist, a practicing psychotherapist, and as an eighty-four-year-old widow living in a retirement community. Eightysomethings is a must-read for people in their eighties, and also for their families. Adult children—often bewildered by their aging parents—need a wise guide like Eightysomethings to help them navigate their parents’ last stage of life with real-world guidelines and conversation starters. Readers, young and old alike, will find this first-of-its-kind book eye-opening, comforting, and filled with practical tips.

More than ever before, people are living longer with the expectation of enjoying healthier and more vibrant lives. This motivational self-help book outlines the necessary self-care actions to become your own wellness advocate and achieve success in your new lifestyle and wellness journey. Carolyn A. Brent brings fresh perspectives and cutting edge research to areas such as undertaking blood type diets, revving up your immune system, dealing with stress, starting exercise programs based on body types, and more. Brent’s step-by-step guide will have you excited with your life-changing results when you are tapping into your deep beauty and inner worth. It offers a blueprint for how to live your best life at any age, with vitality, wisdom, and grace. With clear and flexible examples, Transforming Your Life Through Self-Care will guide you to take ownership of your self-care and tap into those resources you may not know you have.

A concise and updated guide to the mental health of older people that includes sections on training, guidelines and treatments.

The Art of Dying: 21st Century Depictions of Death and Dying examines how contemporary media platforms are used to produce creative accounts, responses and reflections on the course of dying, death and grief. Outside the public performance of grief at funerals, grief can strike in anticipation of a loss, or it can endure, continuing to interject itself and interrupt a permanently changed life. This book examines the particular affordances possessed by various contemporary creative forms and platforms that capture and illuminate different aspects of the phenomenology of dying and grief. It explores the subversive and unguarded nature of stand-up comedy, the temporal and spatial inventiveness of graphic novels, the creative constructions of documentary filmmaking, the narrative voice of young adult literature, the realism of documentary theatre, alongside more ubiquitous media such as social media, television and games. This book is testament to the power of creative expression to elicit vicarious grief and sharpen our awareness of death.

Compassionately care for the aging population with Gerontologic Nursing, 6th Edition, uniquely known for its comprehensive coverage of the most common medical-surgical problems associated with older adults. Organized by body system for easy retrieval of information, it delves into health promotion and both basic and complex gerontologic concepts and issues. This disorder-focused gerontologic nursing text features an enhanced focus on nursing management and care coordination across health care delivery settings. It emphasizes topics such as nutrition, chronic illness, emergency treatment, patient teaching, home care, and end-of-life care — and includes the latest guidelines for mammograms, colonoscopies, pneumonia, and shingles vaccinations. With the addition of new nursing theories, this edition offers a valuable framework for gerontologic care. - Overview of age-related changes in structure and function included in all body system chapters. - The most current standards and guidelines keep you in the know. - Psychologic and sociocultural issues and aspects of older adult care integrated throughout the text. - Critical thinking questions included at end of chapters. - UNIQUE! Patient/Family Teaching boxes emphasize key aspects of practice and teaching for self-care. - Health Promotion/Illness Prevention boxes provide tips to promote leading a healthy life. - UNIQUE! Nutritional Consideration boxes demonstrate special nutritional needs and concerns facing the aging population. - Evidence-Based Practice boxes pull the critical evidence-based information contained in the text into boxes for easy access and identification. - Cultural Awareness boxes highlight differences in how key concepts are understood or practiced in various cultures. - Home Care boxes highlight tips to promote practical, effective home care for the older adult. - Key Points at end of chapters summarize the important concepts discussed in the chapter. - EXPANDED! Increased focus on nursing management and care coordination across health care delivery settings. - NEW! New nursing theories in chapter 2 provide a framework for gerontologic care. - UPDATED! Up-to-date guidelines for mammograms, colonoscopies, pneumonia, and shingles vaccinations. - UPDATED! Fall prevention updates help you better protect your patients. - UPDATED! Updates on the challenges of caring for older adults with cognitive disorders ensure you are prepared. - UPDATED! Updated chapters throughout reflect the current evidence to guide practice.

FOOD IS THE NUMBER ONE ENEMY! Is this what you believe while you are stuck in the weight loss chakrvyuh? Have you tried all types of diets and workout regimes but are still struggling? Do you often feel lethargic and have frequent health issues? Are you still trying to find the answer to the perennial question, “What do I eat today?” If your answer to any of the above questions is a resounding ‘YES’ then let us take you through your own ‘Food Safar’ which started even before you were born. As you witness this food life journey, you would come to know when and why did this supposedly enjoyable voyage turn into a ‘Food Suffer’. This book is NOT a weight loss guide. Instead, this is a book that you should keep by your bedside to refer to whenever you face a ‘food’ challenge at any stage of your life. You will get answers for what you should eat, when you should eat and how much should you eat for a healthy life right from the cradle to the grave. This book will make food your best friend once again – the way it is supposed to be.