Book Review

The Nine Myths of Ageing: Maximizing the Quality of Later Life
by Douglas H. Powell

the Nine Myths of Ageing

Synopsis
“You can’t teach an old dog new trick” is one of the nine common myths about ageing debunked by Douglas Powell in his new book. Succinct and conversational, the book includes anecdotes and examples from real life and personal experience alongside research findings and clinical observations. Knowing the truth about ageing, says the author, can help us manage the process better and remain physically, mentally and socially active for many more years to come.

Review
This book does an excellent job of showing people how to age well. Its best point is made on the very last page: "The odds are overwhelming that we will be 100 percent unsuccessful at those things we never attempt."

The author spends a chapter each disproving the following rumors:

  1. Ageing is a Boring Subject.
  2. All Old People Are Pretty Much the Same.
  3. An Unsound Body Equals an Unsound Mind.
  4. Memory is the First Thing to Go.
  5. Use It or Lose It.
  6. Old Dogs Can't Learn New Tricks.
  7. Old People Are Isolated and Lonely.
  8. Old People Are Depresses, and Have Every Right to Be.
  9. Wisdom Requires Being Smart and Elderly.

Author: Douglas Powell, is director of ageing research at Harvard University. He has written this book primarily for younger adults (30s and 40s) to plan for optimal ageing, as well as for adults up into their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

One of the most important points Powel makes is that blood pressure in young adulthood (especially in the 30s and 40s) should be carefully monitored each year. A jump of diastolic pressure of 10 points during this time period is a danger signal. Most of the non-Alzheimer's adults who go downhill mentally are those who have had heart or circulatory problems, so one of his biggest points in the book is to do everything you can to avoid this particular problem, especially when you are in your 30s and 40s.

One reviewer says …
The only reason I rated this book four stars instead of five is that some of the information he discusses was self-evident to me, and he did not include a chapter on how to maximise ageing specifically for people who are already in poor health, or already frail in their 50s or 60s, such as having to be in a wheelchair, or use a walker, even at a relatively young age.

Reference
http://amazon.co.uk/gp/product/customer-reviews/0716731045


Monika Bhatia
Project Manager and Editor,
20 September 2006

 

 

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