Winning Strategies for Successful Aging

“A work of inspiration and pragmatism” offering heartening advice on navigating the later years of life for aging individuals and their families (Gary J. Kennedy, M.D., Professor and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine).   For anyone who is approaching a 65th birthday with trepidation, Dr. Eric Pfeiffer, who for thirty years has cared for—and learned from—elderly people, addresses with compassion and deep understanding the multitude of issues that arise. He writes authoritatively but in a conversational tone. His advice is easy to read, easy to follow, and full of wisdom. In short, practical chapters, Dr. Pfeiffer advises on choosing an ideal place to live, finding a range of satisfying activities, and maintaining an active social life. He also explains how best to maintain one’s health, mental health, wealth, and independence. Other chapters explore the importance of a spiritual life and the value of maintaining an active sexual life. In addition, the author speaks to the value of charitable giving and describes how it is possible to prepare for a good good-bye to life. Filled with illustrative anecdotes and enhanced with a lovely selection of poems, this reassuring book demonstrates how it is possible to direct and control the aging experience. For every person approaching retirement years, and for their friends and families, the book is an excellent resource and a practical guide. “A highly readable, thoughtful book that contains many important facts and much wisdom.”—Myron Weiner, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School   “A valuable addition to the existing literature, and I would recommend it to friends, patients, and their families.”—Richard Marottoli, M.D., Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital