Expert guidance for living a longer, healthier, more meaningful second half of life. As she approached her fiftieth birthday, Debra Whitman, a globally recognized expert on aging, wanted to delve deeper into why so many Americans struggled to live well as they aged. And she began to wonder what was in store for her own second fifty. Suddenly, the questions she’d been studying for years became personal: How long will I live? Will I be healthy? Will I lose my memory? How long will I work? Will I have enough money? Where will I live? How will I die? Americans are now living decades longer than previous generations. These added years offer exciting possibilities but also raise crucial questions. In her groundbreaking book, Whitman provides a roadmap for navigating, and celebrating, the second half of life. Drawing on compelling stories from her own family and people across the country, interviews with experts, and cutting-edge research, she shares insights on brain health, the contributions and concerns of an older workforce, caregiving, financing retirement, and more. Her findings are often surprising: Americans over fifty are a boon to—not a drain on—the economy. Dementia rates have actually been declining as more people achieve higher levels of education and adopt healthier lifestyles. And while we’ve long known that staying connected to others is critical to mental health, it turns out it is also linked to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and a longer life. Whitman presents practical steps we can take to help create a better second fifty for ourselves. But we can’t do it alone. Whitman also calls for urgently needed changes that would make it easier for every American to enjoy a vital and meaningful second half of life. Whether you are approaching fifty, into your later years, or caring for someone who is, you’ll find a wealth of wisdom in these pages. Informed by Whitman’s unmatched expertise and her deep passion, The Second Fifty is an indispensable guide for living well in the twenty-first century.

Caring for an aging parent can raise a host of tricky questions, but these conversation-starting scripts, plus expert advice, will help you and your parent find answers. Age-proofing an older relative’s living space, figuring out powers of attorney, spotting and dealing with signs of dementia, asking them to give up the car keys or consider assisted living . . . the first step toward tackling these concerns and more is an honest, informed discussion. Here are prompts and road maps for twenty-seven essential conversations—with your parent, other family members, and health care providers—including: Does my parent need help around the house? What kind of medical issues should we look out for? Do I really need to help my parents if they’re toxic? How can my family share the caregiving load? How to approach these topics is just as important as what needs to be said, so each chapter has tips for navigating complex emotions and finding shared ground when everyone has different ideas. You’ll get informed, have a productive discussion, and make a plan—so you can get back to making the most of your time with your parent.

Expert guidance for living a longer, healthier, more meaningful second half of life.

Gathering all the headline events of the twentieth century, Page One is a breathtaking chronicle of our times. This new edition contains history-making events from 1998, including the Pope's historical visit to Cuba, the balancing of the federal budget, the Unabomber's guilty plea, and the Monica Lewinsky scandal at the White House. These stories join the major events of previous decades, from the peace treaty signed in Paris .ending the First World War to Nixon and Watergate; the re-unification of Germany to the demise of the Soviet Union; the Gulf War to the tragic bombings of the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City; and the assassination of Israel's Yitzhak Rabin. A definitive introduction to history, Page One delivers a thrilling journey into the events that have shaped this century.