A NEW WRINKLE BOOK
By Dr. Eric Z. Shapira, Clinical Gerontologist and Aging Specialist
There are eighty million baby boomers facing issues of aging while also caring for elderly parents. The audience for this book includes boomers who will soon enough become elders themselves and their parents who may be transitioning and reinventing themselves. I counsel a lot of people who are navigating complicated family dynamics. Often people just don’t know what to do.
Even our elders are wondering who they are and how they will continue to live a happy and productive life with dignity and good health in our throw-away society. I can see now the rising waters of aging that are flooding the valleys of youth; however, if one is prepared for the flood and there are enough sandbags in place to keep things from getting ruined, the levees will hold back the torrent, and then one should be able to ride out the storm in comfort. I always liked the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared,” and I wrote this book as a model of how to be prepared for the aging process.
Aging is a mystery for most of us, something that just happens—a complex labyrinth.
This book will help people cope by learning about themselves through other's examples: how they think and feel in light of gettng older. Staying flexible with respect to change, learning to go with the flow; yet remaining conscious of how fast the water is rising.
TESTIMONIALS
A Wonderful Book, it Will Help Us all Age with Grace and Dignity
I love this book. It tells so much about aging, growing wise and having a sense of humor in the process. There is no need to be glum about growing older. Dr Shapira shows us through his vast experience with older people that getting older can mean getting better. I look forward to the wrinkles now. -
Jack McKinnon Garden Coach, Pescadero, CA
I like Not Acting my Age!
This Book Tells Me that it's O.k.!
As a recent and early retiree (age 62) I sought the wisdom of those who preceded me to the "secrets" of living life fully, despite being out of the mainstream. The title intrigued me. I found useful information I can use to deal with my aging mother and also a guide to making the most of life for me and my wife now and in the future. The book offers a peek into the author's private life, both personal and professional, cementing his solid credentials. Following Dr. Shapira's sound advice portends a winning future.
Michael L. Adler, Monticello, IN
A Most Worthwhile Book on Aging
"A New Wrinkle: What I Learned from Older People Who Never Acted Their Age" -- This is a heartfelt and informative look at aging from the perspective of a man who is a professional in gerontology and a student of his own experiences. The reader learns a variety of important perspectives on aging and caring for aging parents. I found it to be a most interesting read. Buy one for yourself and send one to a friend!
Nancy Margulies, Montara, CA
On Being Well-Informed While Aging Gracefully
Using his extensive professional and personal experience, Dr. Shapira navigates us through the inevitable waters of change as we age, and that change can be good, and necessary. This can mean constant reinvention without defining ourselves by what we do, but by who we are. He does this by starting out with a short autobiography, before offering helpful hints and useful tips on aging gracefully and healthfully.
Getting older is nothing to be alarmed about. This is comforting to know, especially for the Baby Boomer generation, who are not only experiencing the effects of aging themselves, but are often caregivers for elderly parents. In Shapira's view, no one ever need grow "old", the definition of which has always had negative connotations in our culture. Instead, we are to celebrate our wrinkles AND our lifelong inner child. Interspersed with jokes and poems, there is anecdotal advice on heritage, health and nutrition, careers, care giving, sex, faith, and the process of dying, covering all of the bases. He even writes about internet dating! An easy, informative read and a must for anyone who is aging...which includes everyone.
D. Wong , Half Moon Bay, CA
Good Enough to Buy Two!
I started reading the book and was fascinated with Dr. Shapira's story. After a phone conversation with my older brother, I realized that this book would be perfect for him. I bought one for him, too. This books is an easy read that gives great insights and perspectives on what we are all doing every day... Aging.
Monique, Pescadero, CA
Wisdom and Humanity
This is a book full of wisdom and humanity which shares a vast knowledge of medicine, love, and aging. It is a pleasure to read and learn from Dr. Eric Shapira
Dr. Pamela Butler
Expert Advice and Personal Perspective
Eric Shapira goes beyond providing excellent information on aging. He invites us into his world, sharing personal stories from the prespective of a thoughtful gerontologist, a son of aging parents and a man exploring his own aging process.
INTRODUCTION
My grandfather, perhaps quoting the famous second-century rabbinical teacher, Rabbi Akiva, once told me that, as we have two ears and one mouth, we should listen twice as much as we speak. By listening to older clients, I have discovered ways of living that add joy to one's years.
As a clinical gerontologist, I've spent many years lecturing, teaching, and helping individuals and families handle situations that emerge as loved ones age. I have written over a hundred articles and papers in professional journals and I lecture extensively in this country as well as abroad—I recently returned from China where I taught over five hundred medical professionals about hospice care and the challenges of aging. When giving talks, I'm often asked if I have written a book on aging. After looking over what's available, I realized that my unique perspective would be useful to many potential readers. A New Wrinkle: What I Learned from Older People Who Never Acted Their Age provides inspiring anecdotes as well as tips and insight into the complex issues facing a huge segment of our population. This book includes new material on managing families in crisis, handling transitions, and creating win-win situations for families and caregivers. Here you will find tips on how to choose caregivers and how to maintain a loving relationship if you are the caregiver of a spouse whose health is compromised.