Eightysomethings

I was having a bad day. I read this book and changed my outlook. I didn't think it was possible.

Psychotherapist, Katherine Esty, begins the book by saying 75 was okay but 80 was different. "I felt like I had entered a strange and foreign country without a map or guide." She wanted to learn more about those in her age group - in the 80s and decided it was time to write a book. She interview 128 people over 80 and 26 adult children of aging parents.

I read this book in a day and now I want a copy for myself, my sisters, my friends and will recommend it highly. As a baby boomer, she writes this age group will start turning 80 in 2026. This book gives us a head start to think about how to approach what's important: family, relationships, passions, and serving others. She says, "Do what you enjoy,...life your life from the heart rather than from the head."

Each chapter ends with conversation starters and tips for families. There's so many helpful hints for one to read and at the end, she lists reference materials and books for those that want to know more. She lumps the aging in five groups: deniers, stoics, complainers, worriers and realists. What about those without children to help us out? I guess that makes me a worrier.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGallery for allowing me to read this copy.

There are almost ten million eightysomethings living in the USA today. Wow! Did you know that??? I didn’t.

This book was very informative and at the end of each chapter there are “conversation starters” and “tips for families.” I learned a lot.
It opened my eyes to a lot of things I hadn’t thought about. Such as:
*the negative stereotypes about the eightysomethings.
*Eightysomethings are still grandparents that are caregivers, confidantes, advocates and family anchors.
*they face many transitions.
*sex and the eightysomethings.
*often limited resources.

Although many might find this a little upsetting, I quite enjoyed it. The author interviewed many and I found the interviews insightful and sometimes fun.

I recommend this to all age groups that want to more about the aging. Remember, we’re all headed there.

Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was an insightful book. It changed my thinking on what it will be like to be in my eighties, showing that not all eightysomethings are frail and grumpy. It looks at how people cope with failing physical health and remain positive in the face of pain, loneliness, failing memory or disease, drawing on the experiences of a number of people in their eighties. There are summaries/tips for each topic covered and suggested talking points to share with your eightysomethings.
In short, it’s a comprehensive and encouraging look at ageing and is very well done in my opinion. My thanks to Netgalley, Esty and publisher for a digital copy which I enjoyed reading.

Wow, such a powerful book. It gave me insights into a decade of life I knew nothing about, with the challenges and joys that come with it. As my parents and grandparents age, I will keep these stories in mind.

I was incredibly curious about this book, after all who doesn't want to live a long and healthy life? My take away message was definitely that it takes all sorts to reach their 80s and how individuals approach it is down to their personality and the type of life they have led. That said there were some interesting snippets i took away, such as the fear of falling and what this does to the body afterwards. A good as ever reason to continue with the vitamin D3 supplements to stave off osteoporosis! So many of us think 80s is old but it isn't ... I really enjoyed the pearl of wisdoms in this well researched and thoughtful book.