The Book About Getting Older: The essential comforting guide to ageing with wise advice for the highs and lows

(Paperback)

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Description

We are all living for longer, but how do we or those we love do it well Now more than ever, we need to talk about getting older. Many of us are living to a very great age. But how do we give those we love, and eventually ourselves, long lives that are as happy and healthy as possible Dr Lucy's book gives us answers to the questions we can voice - and those that we can't. A long life should be embraced and celebrated, but it's not all easy. Yet even the most challenging situation can be helped by the right conversation. How do we start How do we ask whether it's worth taking seven different medicines Is it normal to find you're falling out of love with someone, as they disappear into dementia Should Dad be driving, and if not, who can stop him What are the secrets of the best care homes When does fierce independence become bad behaviour How do you navigate near-impossible discussions around resuscitation and intensity of treatments And who decides what happens when we become ill Serious, funny, kind and knowledgeable, this readable book helps guide us through essential conversations about getting older that go straight to the heart of what matters most.

Reviews

The most important book about the second half of your life you'll ever read. I wish everyone in the UK could be under Dr Lucy's care, but this is the next best thing * Sandi Toksvig *
This warm and compassionate book gets to the heart of older age. Using stories and accessible explanations, it covers issues of declining health, quality of life and choices about the things that matter most. The BGS is delighted to endorse this universally relevant and approachable exploration of what it means to get older * The British Geriatrics Society *
Dr Lucy Pollock offers useful tips about thorny subjects such as choosing medications and identifying dementia * Independent, 'Books of the Month' *
Dr Pollock writes with spirit and empathy, making this an engaging and thought-provoking read. Anyone struggling with old age will feel less alone for having Dr Pollock on their team * Sunday Express *
Serious, funny, kind and knowledgeable, this book helps guide us through essential conversations about issues of getting older * Eastern Daily Press *
Terrific . . . I suggest we all get a copy of Dr Lucy's book * Evening Standard *
Interesting and engaging . . . Eminently readable prose. The tone throughout is warm and friendly, even as serious and dark subjects are under discussion. It is an important book * Irish Times *
Wise, compassionate, well researched and very broad in its coverage. I've learnt a lot that will help me both as a doctor and a patient. Thank you -- Dr Phil Hammond
Kind, touching and, at times, achingly funny. An enlightening - and important - read whatever your age. Dr Lucy Pollock is just the kind of healthcare professional you want by your side * Waitrose Weekend *
A brilliant book . . . We all know the statistics. We are an ageing population and we are going to be having these chats over and over again. [The Book About Getting Older] is a very good starting point -- Ray D'Arcy * RTE Radio 1 *
Serious, at times funny, but also kind and knowledgable * Hertfordshire Life *
A lovely, thoughtful, caring and informative book which will help very many people -- Ed Balls
Include in 'Health solutions for your mind and body' * Woman's Weekly *

Author Bio

Lucy Pollock trained in medicine at Cambridge and at Bart's Hospital, and worked as a junior doctor in East London before moving to Somerset, where since 2001 she has been a consultant specializing in the care of those who are frail and elderly.