The Book about Getting Older - by Lucy Pollock (Paperback)

About the Book

"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. This essential guide will guide you through those important conversations around growing older, answering every question you might have, including: ] How do we start the conversation? ] 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" -- Publisher's description.

Book Synopsis

The honest, compassionate and vital guide to getting older, from dementia to finances, medication to care homes

'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' SANDI TOKSVIG

'This warm and compassionate book gets to the heart of older age' THE BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY
________

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. This essential guide will guide you through those important conversations around growing older, answering every question you might have, including:

- How do we start the conversation?
- 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.

Review Quotes

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

A lovely, thoughtful, caring and informative book which will help very many people--Ed Balls

Dr Lucy Pollock offers useful tips about thorny subjects such as choosing medications and identifying dementia--Independent, 'Books of the Month'

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

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

Terrific . . . I suggest we all get a copy of Dr Lucy's book--Evening Standard

Serious, funny, kind and knowledgeable, this book helps guide us through essential conversations about issues of getting older--Eastern Daily Press

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

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

Include in 'Health solutions for your mind and body'--Woman's Weekly

About the Author

Lucy Pollock has long been grateful for the guidance offered by an early boss, who hoped she would not be offended if he suggested she should specialise in geriatric medicine. Having trained at Cambridge and Bart's Hospital, Lucy is now a Consultant Geriatrician in Somerset. She has been working with older people for 30 years, and has learned useful things about life from a great many older people.