The Second Fifty
Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond
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As she approached her fiftieth birthday, Debra Whitman, a globally recognized expert on aging, wanted to delve deeper into why so many Americans struggled to live well as they aged. And she began to wonder what was in store for her own second fifty. Suddenly, the questions she'd been studying for years became personal: How long will I live? Will I be healthy? Will I lose my memory? How long will I work? Will I have enough money? Where will I live? How will I die? Americans are now living decades longer than previous generations. These added years offer exciting possibilities but also raise crucial questions. In her groundbreaking book, Whitman provides a roadmap for navigating, and celebrating, the second half of life. Drawing on compelling stories from her own family and people across the country, interviews with experts, and cutting-edge research, she shares insights on brain health, the contributions and concerns of an older workforce, caregiving, financing retirement, and more. Her findings are often surprising: Americans over fifty are a boon to--not a drain on--the economy. Dementia rates have actually been declining as more people achieve higher levels of education and adopt healthier lifestyles. And while we've long known that staying connected to others is critical to mental health, it turns out it is also linked to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and a longer life. Whitman presents practical steps we can take to help create a better second fifty for ourselves. But we can't do it alone. Whitman also calls for urgently needed changes that would make it easier for every American to enjoy a vital and meaningful second half of life. Whether you are approaching fifty, into your later years, or caring for someone who is, you'll find a wealth of wisdom in these pages. Informed by Whitman's unmatched expertise and her deep passion, The Second Fifty is an indispensable guide for living well in the twenty-first century.
About this Author
Debra Whitman, PhD, is AARP's chief public policy officer and the former staff director for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She holds a doctorate in economics from Syracuse University and lives in Maryland.
Reviews
"Raises crucial questions about the best way to navigate...life after 50."
"That makes this a great handbook for anyone over age 60, but it's also a map for midlife, too, and don't be surprised if your 20-something picks it up. If any of you are hoping for retirement someday, The Second Fifty should be part of your plans."
"Exhaustively researched and deeply intimate."
"The most important book you can read on longevity and aging, The Second Fifty combines groundbreaking science, keen policy insights, and practical recommendations to help us take control of our new longevity."
"As wise and joyful as it is practical, The Second Fifty helps us reclaim our sense of agency and possibility in the second half of life. As individuals and as an aging society, this is the book we didn't know we needed."
"In this thoroughly illuminating and beautifully written book, Debra Whitman shows us why she is our preeminent expert on aging policy--and one of our wisest guides to navigating the years beyond fifty with purpose, connection, and joy."
"Both a must-read for diverse individuals of all ages and backgrounds and a playbook for policymakers committed to making the second fifty years of Americans' lives better."
"A compelling case that we must care for ourselves - all those healthy habits - but we don't age alone. We have to muster our collective will and care about each other."
"Tackles the big questions we are all afraid to ask about aging with warmth, empathy, and humor. A must-read for everyone who thinks they will live beyond fifty--or knows someone who will."
"The Second Fifty speaks directly to our biggest worries about growing old with vital information about how we and those we love can meet the aging process with more grace and wisdom. Beautifully written and a great read!"
"Getting old is not for the faint of heart, but this lucid guide by Whitman, chief public policy officer for the AARP, will help many readers along the path... An unedifying yet essential reference on dealing with aging."
"Expert guidance for living a longer, healthier, more meaningful second half of life."
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