We are all aging, yet most adults say they don''t feel all that old. Our age is an important number, but it can also be deceiving. After the age of 40, most people say they feel younger than their age, some lie about their age, and many attempt to hide the signs of aging. The psychology of aging tries to make sense of not only how people age, but how our beliefs, behaviors, and expectations influence how well we age. Better with Age addresses the many myths and paradoxes about aging. Often, peoples'' expectations of old age do not match what is actually experienced in old age. For example, most people think of old age in terms of decline, grumpiness, aches and pains, but healthy older people report high levels of happiness, focus on positive emotions and enjoy humor. Older people may be forgetful, but selectively remember what is important. By having more experiences to draw on, wisdom and creativity can blossom. Walking and physical exercise, not just brain training exercises, keeps our mind sharp. Old and new habits, hobbies, and friends keep us connected. Retirement is initially confusing, and sometimes avoided, but is often busy and rewarding. Balance, both physical and mental, becomes more important in older age. Successful aging involves leading a productive, healthy, happy life, and can start well before you reach old age. We have older role models who provide inspiring examples of what we can do in older age. This book presents the paradoxes and pleasures of old age, new research and role models of successful aging, and what we can do now to enjoy old age.
Industry Reviews
"Reading Better with Age, you will regret not having read it at an earlier age. Professor Castel combines the wisdom of remarkable people he interviewed, with the latest research findings, to provide a masterful guide to become better with age." --Moshe F. Rubinstein, Professor at UCLA"Alan Castel, a leading thinker in aging research, has crafted a readable, engaging, and informative book that offers a much-needed portrayal of successful aging. He overturns long-standing negative views of aging with empirical evidence and provides a more even-handed account of aging at this point in history. Most importantly, Castel inspires readers -- young and old -- to pursue deep satisfying lives at advanced ages." -- Laura L. Carstensen, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Stanford University and the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy as well as Director, Stanford Center on Longevity"This great book is about a subject that affects everyone of us. It's full of practical suggestions. It's clearly written: unforgettable examples, no jargon. I guarantee that you will find it fascinating, and that it will change your life." -- Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography at UCLA, is the Pulitzer-Prize winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel"Alan Castel's informed and informative writing style translates the latest science into an accessible inspiration for successful aging. For everyone who strives to live better longer and gain the insights of the who's who of successful agers, Better with Age is a must-read." --Gary Small, MD, Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging, Director, UCLA Longevity Center and co-author of 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain"If you think a book about aging can't be a fun and engrossing read - think again. Alan Castel's Better with Age blends cutting-edge research with personal accounts from well-known Americans to create a roadmap for the later years. This engaging and inspirational book should be read by everyone who wants to know how to ensure a happy and healthy old age." -- Karl Pillemer, Professor of Human Development, Cornell University and author of 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans"Better with Age is a wonderful book, both highly informative and consistently entertaining. Alan Castel seamlessly combines cutting edge research and fascinating interviews to challenge longstanding myths about getting old and replace them with valuable insights into the secrets of successful aging." -- Daniel L. Schacter, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers
