Aging in Stride: Plan Ahead Stay Connected Keep Moving

This is the book I have been waiting for, for my aging parents and for myself. When aging parents suddenly take a turn for the worse, this is a comprehensive resource for the steep learning curve ahead. Navigating the various networks associated with the issues of aging is a daunting task and this book is practical, helpful and user friendly. I especially love the forms & checklists. It covers the issues of Medicare, Social Security, diet, finding senior services networks, reducing the possibility of accidents and things we haven't even thought of yet. I notice it has excellent recommendations, including American Society on Aging, Easter Seals, the Society for Healthcare and Consumer Advocacy, and many more.

Next year the number of Americans over the age of 55 will rise to more than 66 million. As the babyboom generation continues to age into senior citizen status, the impact will be nothing short of profound on the healthcare systems currently in place. The need for individuals to plan in advance for their own health, independence, and well-being as the age (including issues of diet and exercise) must be undertaken. That's where the very highly recommended "what to do & how to do it" Aging In Stride: Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving comes so timely into play. The collaborative work of Chris Himes (a family physician and geriatrician at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington), Elizabeth N. Oettinger (a medical ethics expert and the Senior Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Corvallis, Oregon), Dennis E. Kenny (an expert in the legal and financial aspects of aging and eldercare, and Co-founder and President of Caresource Healthcare Communications, Seattle, Washington) effectively collaborate to create a thoroughly "user friendly", informed and informative manual of practical information including 45 specific aging issues discussed in practical, accessible terms; strategies for planning the future and making healthy choices; 26 forms to help develop and organize a personal plan of action; online and community resource references; even an online reader support center for extra copies of forms and direct click-through to online resources.

This is a wonderful book for those of us approaching retirement years and beyond. The chapter headers tell it all: "Safe and Secure", "Your Own Home", "Senior Living Options", "Health Concerns", "Nursing Home Care", "Legal and Financial", "End of Life Issues", "Family and Friends" and "Forms". The Forms section has 45 fill-in forms for things such as checking out an assisted living facility to checklists for older drivers. Read this book. Be prepared. Take charge of your life. None of us are getting any younger.