David Bernstein (3)

An easy to read book on the medical issues of growing older. David Bernstein is a doctor treating the older (60-up . he provides exerpiences working with older patient and includes at the end of each chapter Notes on living longer and references to that chapter.
Book contains both positive and negative stories as well as personal family stories to illustrate how one can live longer and happier.

I would recommend this book to be in the office of all doctors dealing with older patients as well as assistant living and nursing homes. Great guide for the person and the family of that person. I found the chapter on driving reflected my mother's positive experience with her Doctor when it was time to give it up.… (más)

Dr Bernstein is an engaging storyteller and I enjoyed his many anecdotes. I read this at a strange time. I had a friends in the hospital facing terminal and chronic illnesses. I finished it in time to attend a memorial. I had expected something more specific about what kinds of things to expect in the different decades as we age. But this was more a collection of patients' stories. I liked his rule of five, but he forgot to follow it in the subsequent chapters. He does have some concrete things to do to improve one's aging process and offers good resources at the end of each chapter. It did cause me to ponder and try to put myself in the patient's shoes. How would I react? Maybe taking time to do this will improve my attitude as I face the problems of aging.

I was grateful to receive a free copy of this book through the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

I received a free copy of this book through the Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Bernstein has been practicing as a geriatrician for many years, so he definitely has the background to write this book. He offers some sound advice on how to deal with the various obstacles associated with aging, and he accompanies the advice with stories from his practice. In concept this book is great, but the execution is a bit lacking. The advice is good, but I like to see studies behind the advice or lend it some credence. Yes, we know it's good to have a positive attitude, but his anecdotes seem trite and occasionally, too focused on his role and not the patient. There are so many good advice books on aging - most recently Atul Gawande's Being Mortal and Roz Chast's Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?. Gawande's book is not only filled with sage advice, but he provides information about current research and adds to the mix his skill at telling a story. Chast knows how to pull at your heartstrings. I didn't feel that this book touched me emotionally, or really was any better than getting advice from someone you don't really know. Hope other people find it more useful.… (más)