Honest Aging: An Insider's Guide to the Second Half of Life (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

I have over 100 reviews that I SHOULD write, but I’m doing this first. The book has a ton of important information that is glossed over or not even mentioned by the most well meaning doctors. Today, for instance, due to having previously read the difference between recent and long-term mental changes I realized (now that I have been off it for 3 days) that the Xyzal I had been using for nearly a month for awful seasonal allergies had been making me very tired, listless and unmotivated. After I took the last pill I slept 11 hours. Now I’m back to my usual 6.5-8 hours a night and feel as if my world has changed from black and white to technicolor. My doctor had warned me about Benadryl but not Xyzal. Likewise, today I read the section on adding protein as well as exercise to prevent bone mass loss. Again, the doctor had encouraged me to add weight to a backpack during my walks, but failed to mention how my suboptimal protein intake might be sabotaging my efforts.Several things I also liked reading include that the dry skin I’ve been mentioning to the doctor, who was not concerned because I’m not diabetic, is the result of normal changes to kidney functioning which calls for more frequent water consumption and body lotion; and that so many other of my physiological changes and increasing sensitivity to even the most innocent appearing OTCs are expected effects of aging and not changes to panic about. The author has many excellent references for more information (later today I’ll look up the referral to a site that shows the protein value of various foods). She emphasizes that what’s “normal” need not be untreated (I.e., glasses for changed vision and hearing aids) or lessen quality of life. And what I have found is that even when a change cannot be treated, that understanding it can be a huge relief.I read a couple of negative reviews about the book which make no sense, such as it is too dense with facts and the tone is condescending. To the first I suggest going to the index if you’re looking for something particular. To the second - well maybe if you’re listening to the book you can hear such a tone, but otherwise the author is just being careful not to take the reader’s knowledge for granted.The book is well written, filled with useful examples from the author’s experience, and overall simply an exceptional read.

This is an exceptionally well-written, accurate guide to staying as healthy, active and safe as possible in your retirement. At 69, I was deluding myself about my ability to stay "forever young." The author, an experienced geriatrician, makes it clear that physical and cognitive decline is inevitable, although to differing degrees and at different rates depending on your genetics, past behavior and current habits.I've been very health-conscious in my 60s, but I gleaned many useful tips about eating, exercise and more from skimming this book. It's really a well-organized reference book, with different sections to be consulted in depth when they're of concern to you. You may not be interested at this time in a detailed explanation of how the heart works, but there's plenty of good content in that chapter on how to be heart-healthy. (After you've had a cardiac episode, you'll be glad to pore over that chapter more carefully.)There's also good advice aimed at people who care about aging people in their lives, suggesting the best ways to be helpful.It's a bit repetitious, but part of that is because most people won't read this beginning to end and certain background information and cautions are relevant to a number of topics.There are many charts that don't play well with Kindles (although they work better on a tablet.) I suggest buying the paperback edition, so you can refer to it as needed.This really can be a life-changing and life-enhancing book for you. Highly recommended!

My grandmother loved this book and it is helpful for her to better understand what is going on and the appropriate steps she should be taking with her age.

I took this out of the library and then decided I needed my own copy for reference. Down to earth information

Filled with helpful information relevant to everyone, not just "older" people. Charts about medicines are extremely useful.

This is an excellent book on aging. It helped me better understand what is happening to my body and how and what to do to make becoming older more comfortable. I have recommended this book to my friends.

The content of the book is terrific - thorough and very informative. I plan to have my husband and then my kids read it - this is stuff they will need to know as we age. Five stars for the content. However, the Kindle format is atrocious - the worst I've ever seen. There are a lot of charts and boxes - and they shoot right off the page, so you're missing a lot of the information. I've never encountered a Kindle book so poorly formatted and difficult to read - and I've read close to a thousand Kindle books. Hence the overall three star rating. I will be purchasing this title in a paper format - easier to read, easier to flag certain sections, easier to take notes. I feel like I wasted my money on the Kindle format with this title.

Terrific book, well written, informative, not condescending or boring, and filled with useful information. I recommend purchasing a print version because charts are hard to read on a Kindle.

Great book. Worth the wait. Did not know that it was shipped from Ireland.Better communication with client re: length of delivery time.Also, let client know that they will not be disappointed with the item despite the wait.