Living Agelessly: Answers to Your Most Common Questions About Aging Gracefully (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness) [Paperback]

Linda J. Altoonian (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Baby boomers who care for elderly parents even as they raise their own families face a doubly challenging set of circumstances: meeting the needs of the ill and aging while still aging gracefully themselves. In this book, Linda Altoonian draws from her own experience to address the problems faced by other members of the “sandwich” generation. She first describes her basic premise — that it’s possible to be in control of the aging process, and that growing older can be enjoyable and healthy when the right lifestyle choices are made — and then covers day-to-day issues such as creating a safe living environment, practicing a good diet and exercise, and staying mentally active. She also deals with the legal, medical, physical, social, and even spiritual issues that affect the lives of seniors and their caregivers, simplifying and explaining even the most complicated issues in a succinct, easy-to-understand, and upbeat style.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: DiaMedica (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097935644X
• ISBN-13: 978-0979356445
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #778,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who doesn't want their age to be their label, April 14, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Agelessly: Answers to Your Most Common Questions About Aging Gracefully (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness) (Paperback)

Just because you're getting gray doesn't mean you have to take up a fascination with "Matlock". "Living Agelessly: Creating a Lifestyle for Midlife and Beyond" is a guide to aging gracefully and dealing the challenges that come with age. Health, controlling one's life as strongly as ever, and confronting those who would take advantage of one at advanced age are all subjects covered with tact and wisdom by author Linda Altoonian. "Living Agelessly" is a must for anyone who doesn't want their age to be their label.

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone over 40 should read this book!, November 23, 2009

By	B. Kim "Love to learn" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Living Agelessly: Answers to Your Most Common Questions About Aging Gracefully (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness) (Paperback)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The author covered a lot of really important aspects of aging. I have never seen her column, and found this book very useful reading. I am only 46, but so far I have NOT been aging gracefully. I have had some severe accidents which led to a lot of health complications; I am already feeling a lot older than I am because of health problems. When I picked up this book I realized that if I don't make a lot of changes in my lifestyle NOW I am just going to make things worse as the years go by. I loved the section on age proofing my home because I have already learned (the hard way!) about the need for safety bars in the shower, a good fire-extinguisher in the kitchen, and getting rid of "trip hazards" around the house. How much pain and suffering (and knee surgery) I could have avoided if I had read this book earlier and followed its advice.

I guess that is why the biggest surprise for me were the sections on age-proofing my home, road safety, safety away from home, and avoiding scams and frauds. As an advocate who works with the elderly and disabled, I see these things as very big issues for the elderly, but I have never yet seen them in any book on aging and health. However, all of these things can dramatically and negatively impact health, especially because we become more fragile as we age, and the trauma of a slip/fall in the home, or being conned out of our money can really be devastating. I have seen how hard it is for people to cope with these things too many times.

Having read the book, I highly recommend it, but not to people 65 or older. I think it is far better to start earlier and prevent a lot of these problems, so please read this in your 40's and 50's and get an early start! I really wish I had, because I had no clue how we become less resilient physically as we age, and now I have discovered I really, truly don't bounce back the way I used to, so I would rather just stay healthy and avoid accidents.

If nothing else, you can use the section to make your home safe for elderly visitors.

2.0 out of 5 stars For those who haven't thought about it before...., July 4, 2009

By	Luciana (Bellingham WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Agelessly: Answers to Your Most Common Questions About Aging Gracefully (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness) (Paperback)

Living Agelessly is a book for people who haven't given any thought to the implications and practicalities of aging. Altoonian, who is the author of a syndicated newspaper column on aging, covers topics like diet, exercise, safety, volunteer work, and grandparenting.

I have to say that the coverage is pretty superficial and no more than common sense. Two pieces of advice that I love are 1) 'It's imperative that grab bars [in the bathroom] remain stationary when someone pulls on them', and 2) '...we often take breathing for granted. This is a terrible mistake'.

Again, this book would be helpful for the relatively uninformed. And it includes an extensive list of print and Internet resources. (Review of an advance reading copy.)