4 inspiring things you’re reading about living a full life

When you pick up or click on something to read about growing older, you’re looking to be informed and inspired.

Maine Focus published the second piece — about business strategies to employ older Maine workers — in its Age of Opportunity series last month and, as part of it, asked you to send in what you read when you want to read about living a full life. Here are four of your answers:

Research from the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at the University of California, Irvine

Attendees of the 90+ Study's 2013 luncheon, which honored the participants who are giving their time to the research study. | UC Irvine

Attendees of the 90+ Study’s 2013 luncheon, which honored the study’s participants. | UC Irvine

The center studies aging and dementia to understand the causes of disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and Huntington’s disease. It looks at what helps people stay well as they age. Among many things, it’s known for its 90+ Study, which started in 2003 to examine what allows the oldest-old to live as long as they do. What food, activities and lifestyles make a difference? How many people older than 90 get dementia?

The institute publishes many reports on its research, which you can read here. Those specifically related to the 90+ Study are here.

The institute’s website lists major findings of the 90+ Study, some of which are:

* People who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee lived longer than those who abstained.
* People who were overweight in their 70s lived longer than normal or underweight people did.
* Over 40% of people aged 90 and older suffer from dementia while almost 80% are disabled. Both are more common in women than men.

‘Aging as a Spiritual Practice’

This book by Lewis Richmond, a Zen Buddhist priest and meditation teacher, discusses aging from a spiritual perspective: how to accept and enjoy growing older.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

I have talked with many people who are not necessarily in denial about their aging but still don’t like to think about growing old. They probably do think about it — a lot — but don’t know how to approach the subject with dignity and grace.

Beyond a certain age, we don’t need to be convinced that we are aging and that aging has its difficulties. We all know that. But how can we do it in the best possible way, toward the very best end?

‘Being Mortal’

This book by Atul Gawande — a MacArthur Fellow, surgeon, staff writer at The New Yorker, and professor — explores the important difference between treating someone’s medical diagnosis and helping them live a well life.

Here’s an excerpt:

Modern scientific capability has profoundly altered the course of human life. People live longer and better than at any other time in history. But scientific advances have turned the processes of aging and dying into medical experiences, matters to be managed by health care professionals. And we in the medical world have proved alarmingly unprepared for it.

Sheri Fink of the New York Times wrote a review here.

My Generation

This specialty publication of Maine’s keepMEcurrent.com shares articles for the Baby Boomer generation on finances, health, home, work and entertainment.


Have more books, magazines and articles you want to share? Let us know by clicking here.

 

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