My lifelong commitment to older adults began with my grandmother, who lived with us for 8 years after she developed cancer. Still, at age 75 she wanted to be on her own again. So she got an apartment where her closest friends lived. The cancer later recurred, and she spent several years in a nursing home.
My ‘Bubbe’ taught me to try to be open and flexible as things change in life, and that, no matter how old you are or where you are living, ‘you’re only as old as you let yourself be’!
During my 40+ year career as a doctor, patients and education have formed the foundation of my work. In addition, I served on the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American Board of Internal Medicine. I have published over 100 scientific articles, authored two books, and have received numerous prestigious awards for the work I love and believe in.
I am frequently interviewed in the national media and serve as an advisor, consultant, and keynote speaker. For more than 20 years, I have been editor-in-chief of Focus on Healthy Aging, a monthly consumer newsletter.
My bottom line: We need a paradigm shift for how we—as individuals, organizations, and society—think about and prepare for aging. We need to move from unconscious ageism to a more honest aging, so that, at every age, we can have enjoyable, engaged, and meaningful lives.
What’s normal, what’s not, and what can you do about it? You’ll find practical tips on aging, myth-busters that challenge common beliefs, and exercises to help you reimagine what the second half of your life can be.
