Aging Our Way: Independent Elders, Interdependent Lives: Lessons for Living from 85 and Beyond

Had to read this for a sociology class and it was actually a decent read. The book is laid out into lessons and the author provides stories from her "elders" that elaborate on said lessons. It's a great glimpse into aging for those that may not have a lot of experience with it.

Meika Loe's book "Aging Our Way: Lessons for Living from 85 and Beyond" is a poignant analysis of how aging in place can be enriching, empowering, and fun all at the same time. You certainly do not have to be in academia to appreciate this book! As discussed from the perspective of many of the elder's that make up this book, aging is something that everyone must go through despite social location, economic class, gender, race, etc. Everyone knows a family member, friend, or acquaintance who has grappled with the decision of whether or not to age in place and this book offers thirteen lessons learned from elder's that show independence, resilience, and strength while they think about their next steps. I highly recommend this book for all ages and I feel encouraged to practice many of the life lessons that the elders have taught me!

Book was a gift to a friend. The shipping was timely, the price was right. No problems.

Interesting but more academic than I wanted.

As a clinical psychologist, I highly recommend the book, Aging Our Way: Lessons for Living from 85 and Beyond, October, 2011, Oxford University Press, by Meika Loe. I recently read it and then shared it with my 92-year old father. Meika Loe interviewed thirty elders (ages 85-102), living in their own environments, and then presented their insights as lessons to be learned. For example, Lesson 1: Keep doing what you're doing, Lesson 2: (Re) design your living space....Lesson 13: Accept and prepare for death. There is also an appendix on best practices for aging in place. My 92 year old father read the interviews and, when I asked him his opinion, said, "People have positive attitudes about aging."In assisting my father and looking ahead to my own aging, I have become quite interested in this topic. A good resource for looking at what factors go into successful aging is the second edition of the Milken Institute's report. Note that this report consider factors, not in terms of best places to RETIRE, but in terms of best places to AGE. SUCCESSFULLY. Most places (small and large) appear to be in the Midwest rather than on the east or west coasts. However, the factors can be looked at when assessing any location.http://successfulaging.milkeninstitute.org/2014/best-cities-for-successful-aging-report-2014.pdf

This book is really beautifully written. The author does a fine job of putting the interviews she did with these "elders" into a larger perspective. She connects their stories to the communities they live in, but also makes connections to the larger world. She made me think about our society, and how it is functioning -- especially for the very old. I knew the U.S. was aging rapidly before I read Aging Our Way, but I have a much better sense now of how huge and important a shift this is, and will be, for all of us. I think it's remarkable how Loe gets her subjects talking so honestly and openly about their lives. Their stories really carry the reader along. She does a good job of letting the elders tell their stories, but weaves each experience into the greater whole. I read this book and had it out on the coffee table when my 83 year old mother-in-law picked it up and started reading it. Now she wants to borrow my copy!

Meika Loe combines scholarship and empathy in this readable book about aging. I gained insights into how others exert management of their aging in very diverse health and economic circumstances. A key message is that there is no one "right" way to handle old age. There are many successful approaches, and the elderly exert considerable power over the details of their daily life. The author is kind, and that shines through her writing. This was the most useful of several books I've read on aging.