Resilience and Aging

An outstanding contribution to the scanty literature that addresses the intersection of resiliency and aging. Dr. Lavretsky does an excellent job of discussing the interrelatedness of resiliency neurobiology with psychological, social, cultural, religious, and spiritual dimensions. Accessible, original, and well sourced, Resilience and Aging will be of great interest to aging adults and professional caregivers alike. -- Gregory L. Fricchione, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital A wonderful book-scientifically timely, clinically useful, and of immense interest to people who care about promoting healthy, active aging. Dr. Lavretsky's wise, readable, and scholarly narrative reminds us that we have a choice about how we age. -- Charles F. Reynolds III, MD, UPMC Endowed Professor in Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Graduate School of Public Health Older adults and those caring for older adults-whether professionally or personally-will find in this book a wealth of invaluable information for sustaining and enriching their lives. Dr. Lavretsky's integrative approach encompasses health and happiness, detailing evidence-based benefits of resilience and describing how to obtain them in a clear and concise manner. This is an outstanding book and I recommend it highly. -- Dilip V. Jeste, Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care; Estelle and Edgar Levi Chair in Aging; Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences; Director, Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego

Throughout, the book's revolutionary integrative approach aims to amplify personal happiness by allowing aging adults to remain healthy and active while simultaneously reducing the cost of chronic disease to families and society.When aging adults struggle with social isolation, financial instability, or the difficult work of caring for a spouse with a chronic illness, their levels of stress can be enormous. But many older adults are living longer and are trying to make the best of their later years despite being more vulnerable to stress. In Resilience and Aging, renowned geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky explains how enhanced resilience - which involves positively adapting to adversity in a way that maintains a person's biological and psychological equilibrium - can counter that vulnerability. She describes how care, practice, and research all can be redirected toward emphasizing the positive aspects of aging and prevention. Lavretsky summarizes the most up-to-date research on resilience, neurobiology, and preventive care. She also describes novel interventions - including yoga, tai chi, meditation, and allopathic techniques - that can help older adults improve their cognition and quality of life. Finally, she explores relevant clinical cases from her practice. Designed for geriatric practitioners, researchers, and family caregivers, this practical book offers critical information on measuring resilience, the role of spirituality in reducing stress, and incorporating resilience-building procedures into clinical practice or everyday life. Throughout, the book's revolutionary integrative approach aims to amplify personal happiness by allowing aging adults to remain healthy and active while simultaneously reducing the cost of chronic disease to families and society.