Celebrating Active Ageing

Hari Baskaran’s book, Celebrating Active Ageing, will benefit all people approaching retirement and those well past it. It advocates a lifestyle that enables health and vitality way into the seventies and eighties. The book is inspirational and encourages readers to draw up their own unique active ageing agenda with a deliberate and purposeful approach to life. Celebrating active ageing embraces a holistic approach to life, all aspects of which—such as physical activity, diet and nutrition, and spiritual and social engagement—are covered in a compelling and appealing way. The narrative is light and free-flowing with emphasis on real-life experiences and developing and maintaining a sense of joy. “Excellent read with very interesting anecdotes and experiences. I enjoyed reading it. This book will transform lives.” —Shiny Surendran, Sports Nutritionist, Chennai

The WHO World report on ageing and health is not for the book shelf it is a living breathing testament to all older people who have fought for their voice to be heard at all levels of government across disciplines and sectors. - Mr Bjarne Hastrup President International Federation on Ageing and CEO DaneAge This report outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing built around the new concept of functional ability. This will require a transformation of health systems away from disease based curative models and towards the provision of older-person-centred and integrated care. It will require the development sometimes from nothing of comprehensive systems of long term care. It will require a coordinated response from many other sectors and multiple levels of government. And it will need to draw on better ways of measuring and monitoring the health and functioning of older populations. These actions are likely to be a sound investment in society's future. A future that gives older people the freedom to live lives that previous generations might never have imagined. The World report on ageing and health responds to these challenges by recommending equally profound changes in the way health policies for ageing populations are formulated and services are provided. As the foundation for its recommendations the report looks at what the latest evidence has to say about the ageing process noting that many common perceptions and assumptions about older people are based on outdated stereotypes. The report's recommendations are anchored in the evidence comprehensive and forward-looking yet eminently practical. Throughout examples of experiences from different countries are used to illustrate how specific problems can be addressed through innovation solutions. Topics explored range from strategies to deliver comprehensive and person-centred services to older populations to policies that enable older people to live in comfort and safety to ways to correct the problems and injustices inherent in current systems for long-term care.

Recent studies show that more people than ever before are reaching old age in better health and enjoying that health for a longer time. This Handbook outlines the latest discoveries in the study of aging from bio-medicine, psychology, and socio-demography. It treats the study of aging as a multidisciplinary scientific subject, since it requires the interplay of broad disciplines, while offering high motivation, positive attitudes, and behaviors for aging well, and lifestyle changes that will help people to stay healthier across life span and in old age. Written by leading scholars from various academic disciplines, the chapters delve into the most topical aspects of aging today - including biological mechanisms of aging, aging with health, active and productive aging, aging with satisfaction, aging with respect, and aging with dignity. Aimed at health professionals as well as general readers, this Cambridge Handbook offers a new, positive approach to later life.

We’re living longer – let’s live better! Getting older should be something to enjoy and celebrate. And it can be. Research shows that we can make a big difference to how well we age. From staying active to connecting with others, this uplifting book shares the secrets to ageing well in eight steps, to help keep you healthy and happy. Each step has easy-to-follow tips, alongside inspiring words both ancient and modern... and more! Whether you choose to follow some of the advice or all, this is the perfect guide for living a more fulfilled, healthy and joyful life.

In our youth-oriented, patriarchal society, aging and older women often find themselves either ignored, pitied, or feared. Women and Aging is a valuable guide to help women break through the negative stereotypes of old age and find personal fulfillment through the stages of maturity. Full of warmth and support, Women and Aging strongly enables women to take and remain in control of their lives instead of passively letting others make life-changing--and possibly harmful--decisions for them. This essential guide for aging will help women increase the vitality of their old age, as it urges them to continue to plan for the future, keep and develop strong relationships, increase their overall wellness, and not be afraid to take risks. Truly a celebration of aging, the author’s illuminating descriptions of her own aging and how she has overcome society’s restrictions are sure to be a source of inspiration for all women--no matter what their ages. Women and Aging begins by addressing cultural attitudes toward women, including appearance, language, behavior, and “women’s work.” The middle section encourages women to face their fears and limitations and express their emotions, while the concluding chapters are a virtual “guide to life,” showing how to live life to the fullest and find inner fulfillment while aging. Along with her own continuing narrative, the author includes a multitude of personal glimpses into the aging processes of other women. This uplifting, helpful book will be of great value not only for aging women, but for women of all ages who are interested in taking active control of their own lives.

The guide is aimed primarily at urban planners, but older citizens can use it to monitor progress towards more age-friendly cities. At its heart is a checklist of age-friendly features. For example, an age-friendly city has sufficient public benches that are well-situated, well-maintained and safe, as well as sufficient public toilets that are clean, secure, accessible by people with disabilities and well-indicated. Other key features of an age-friendly city include: well-maintained and well-lit sidewalks; public buildings that are fully accessible to people with disabilities; city bus drivers who wait until older people are seated before starting off and priority seating on buses; enough reserved parking spots for people with disabilities; housing integrated in the community that accommodates changing needs and abilities as people grow older; friendly, personalized service and information instead of automated answering services; easy-to-read written information in plain language; public and commercial services and stores in neighbourhoods close to where people live, rather than concentrated outside the city; and a civic culture that respects and includes older persons.