Welcome to the AgeVenture Newsletter Archives Copyright © AgeVenture© News Service, an imprint of Demko Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright Terms and Restrictions

expert reviews of new publications in the fields of gerontology, geriatrics, retirement lifestyle trends, and self-improvement Editor: Dr. David J. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 21, June 2007 Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style Celebs Don't Age, They YOUTH'N Forever Cool: Fashion for Boomers Ten tips can take ten years off, says fashion guru, Christine Schwab in her new book. Let Your Hair Down A little hair length softens and flatters. A longer bangs takes years off your look. Bye-bye Gray Take off five to ten years with one color application. Don't go too light, too dark or too bright, the look will be too artificial. The Right Bra Go to an intimate lingerie specialty store for a proper bra fitting. You will look better in your clothes and appear slimmer. Classic Pieces Wear classic sweaters, skirts, pants, dresses and jackets and then style them up with bold and fun accessories. Eyewear with Attitude Color, shape and design in both sunglasses and regular glasses can accent your appearance, instead of looking like a required necessity. "5-star rating - AgeVenture News READ MORE Life is short ... but you can stretch it. Here's why. 80% of longevity is determined by lifestyle factors, not the aging process. Author, Dr. David J. Demko organizes today's complex anti-aging programs into one easy to understand "Youth'n" formula. "Youth'n" focuses on preserving our youthful traits: passion, curiosity, adventure, courage, energy. Traits which elevate the human spirit toward new heights of self-discovery. The odds of living 100 years are 80 to 1. And, they improve with each new scientific discovery. See for yourself. Take the Life-stretcher tm quiz below. The University of Michigan graduate is certified in aging, geriatrics, and retirement planning. Reviews include NBC Today, Fox & Friends, NPR, London BBC, Maxim, Reader's Digest, NY Times, NY Post, Forbes, Glamour. "Plan to live longer" - Amazon.com READ MORE Each year, 75 million Baby Boomers spend $100 billion on clothes. But you'd never know it, says Sherrie Mathieson. Alarmed at the lack of fashion sense of her fellow Boomers, Sherrie has set out to change the look of an entire generation. The result is Forever Cool, a guide for those who are asking, "How can I look great and still be age-appropriate?" Her answers will help both men and women reassess and reinvent their looks to balance their changing physiques with their active lifestyles. Sherrie styled Academy Award-winning actors and directors, sports figures, comedians, rock stars, dancers, and industry leaders. Sherrie's affordable tips let boomers express their personalities by creating a stylish, practical, and utterly cool appearance. Forever Cool, $22.95, 256 Pages. Thompson Peak Publishing, 2006. 5-star rating - AgeVenture News Available on-line at: Amazon.com expert reviews of new publications in the fields of gerontology, geriatrics, retirement lifestyle trends, and self-improvement Editor: Dr. David J. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 20, August 2006 Click an Image ... and ... Read a Review Super Foods is an awe-inspiring feast for the eyes into the miraculous healing power of natural foods. Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News Service. Authors Michael van Straten and Barbara Griggs serve up a menu of opportunities for incorporating a nourishing diet into your daily life. Much like a sumptuous meal, the book's presentation is well-prepared, visually attractive, and downright good for you. Best of all, these components will motivate the reader to revisit the book's contents time and again. Learn the foods that form the building blocks of healthy eating and healthy living. Discover ways to eat your way toward prevention and treatment of joint, digestive, and weight-control problems. Did you know, for example, that celery helps calm nerves and almonds help relieve respiratory and digestive problems. The book's contents follow four functional themes: a full-color, visual catalog of superfoods 180 superfood recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes Rx menu plans for common ailments harmonious eating: combinations of foods for optimal benefit The authors begin by constructing a food schema for the reader, distinguishing the various roles of carbohydrates, fat, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. What follows are full color illustrations of each super-food including it's healing powers. Next, readers will find recipes for soups, snacks, entrees, and desserts. Menus include weekly plans for healthy living, along with prescriptive plans for dealing with stress, skin problems, urinary distress, weight control, and more. "SuperFoods" by Straten and Griggs, DK Publishing, New York, June 2006, 352 pages $25.00. BACK TO TOP Glycemic Load Diet offers new hope for those who can't stomach pop-culture weight-loss programs. Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News Service. Author and cardiologist, Dr. Robert Thompson presents a new way of looking at carbohydrates that radically changes the low-carb approach to losing weight. The book's theme is how to reverse insulin resistance and lose weight. The glycemic index, which has been the basis of many popular diets, falls short in two major ways. First, popular diets often eliminate too many foods for dieters to stick with it. Second, popular diets often don't take into account the serving sizes people actually eat. Regarding the issue of "serving size," my recent review of research literature identifies "serving size" as a major culprit in rising rates of obesity. Our culture contains too many dietary land mines such as "all-you-can-eat" restaurant policies, super-sized soft-drinks, and the hospitality industry's tendency to mega-size meal portions for those who dine out. Dr. Thompson argues that diets don't work because many dieters lack of discipline. Obesity is caused by a hormonal imbalance that most weight-loss programs fail to correct resulting in irresistible food cravings. The good news is only a handful of refined carbohydrates are responsible for the insulin surges that cause obesity, and dieters can eliminate these foods without causing diet-wrecking cravings. Unlike traditional weight control programs, the Glycemic Load Diet adjusts the glycemic index for serving size. In addition, author Thompson explains how to activate the muscles that speed up metabolism and help restore balance to your body chemistry. "The Glycemic-Load Diet" by Robert Thompson, McGraw-Hill, New York, April 2006, 225 pages, $16.95 BACK TO TOP Thermogenic Diet offers up a speedy, no-weighting approach to shedding unwanted pounds. Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News Service. Author Cathi Graham once tipped the scales at 326 pounds. Then, she discovered thermogenic foods that burned fats and curbed cravings. The result? Graham lost over 180 pounds in 18 months and kept it off for more than 20 years. How's that again? Well, according to Graham, one of the keys to weight control is finding ways to naturally speed up the body's metabolism. The way I see it, metabolism is your body's engine. Speed up the engine, and it burns off more fuel (energy). All that accelerated energy comes from burning excess calories. A simple, but weighty concept for dieters. Fortunately, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to boost your metabolism. Graham points out how even a glass of cold water offers kind of a cure for excess calories. For example, a gallon of ice cold water requires over 200 calories of heat energy to warm it up to core body temperature. The average person would have to jog 3 miles in order to burn the same amount of calories. Of course, the contents of the author's book holds more than cold water. Here's a brief list. Thermogenic foods include salsa, celery, salmon, chicken, almonds, and green tea. These fat-burning foods naturally speed up the body's metabolism, helping burn calories. Readers will discover: a complete list of thermogenic foods meal plans and delicious recipes different body-types and matching meal plans tips for limiting emotional eating inspirational stories about successful dieters. "The Fresh Start Thermogenic Diet" by Cathi Graham, Hatherleigh Press, New York, July 2006, 208 pages, $24.95. BACK TO TOP What to Eat explains why culture keeps America's weight spinning out of control. Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News Service. Confusion over food and diet has grown beyond all reasonable limits. Despite a deluge of healthy products and health claims in the media, more people are overweight today than ever before. That's why I wrote this book," says author Luise Light. And the author's got the credentials and experience to back her claims. Light is the former director of the USDA Dietary Guidance and Nutrition Education Research. So what's the problem? The culprits, argues Light, are highly processed foods and over-consumption of fat, saturated fat, trans-fat, salt, sugars, sweeteners, white flour, and artificial additives. In short, America's lifestyle and eating habits are robbing us of health and sometimes life itself. Why should we worry? The culprits in our national nutrition decline and utter failure of most dietary strategies have led to increasing incidence of diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers. Is there a solution? Yes, says Light. Her readers will find: guidelines for eating out and eating on the go a week's worth of easy menus and recipes helpful advice for eating right on those time-pressured days. How can you follow-thru on the author's advice? Light offers ten healthy living rules adapted to a wide variety of nutritional needs such as weight loss, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and fibromyalgia. The rules clarify what kinds of fat and carbs to eat, whether organics are worth the cost, and why to watch out for genetically-modified foods. The ten rules include: eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables eating healthy fats daily consuming foods rich in antioxidants eating less salty, processed, and additive-laden products. "What to Eat" by Luise Light, McGraw-Hill, New York, January 2006, 268 pages, $16.95. BACK TO TOP Thin People Don't Clean Their Plates advocates a novel "think thin and eat accordingly" strategy for weight control. Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News Service. Author and registered dietitian, Jill Fleming lays it on the line. Her book, says the author, "won't give you a get-thin-quick plan that touts low-carb, all-liquid, or any other fad diet." Fleming does promise, however, to help the reader "stop dieting and start living like a thin person to lose weight permanently." Here's a sample of what readers will learn: why restrictive diets don't work in the long-term how to listen to your body's hunger and satiety signals how food-avoidance can sabotage weight-loss efforts simple fat-burning exercises you can do anywhere how to balance nutrition, exercise, rest, and relaxation What makes Fleming's offering stand out in a crowd of weight-control publications is its adherence to a key principle about human nature: "What you see is what you get." Translation: think thin and you're more likely to act thin. How do thin people act? Like the author says, "Thin people don't clean their plates." Proof positive that a little "food for thought" helps the weight go down. I especially enjoyed reading all 19 of the author's list of behaviors for those who aspire to be a thin person. "Thin People Don't Clean Their Plates" by Jill Fleming, Inspirations Presentation Press, LaCrosse, WI, 2005, 136 pages, $22.95. BACK TO TOP READ MORE BOOK REVIEWS IN THE AgeVenture Newsletter ARCHIVES Reviews of media related to gerontology, geriatrics, senior market trends, and retirement planning. Editor: Dr. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 19, August 2005 Click an Image ... and ... Read a Review "Circuit Shaping Workouts for Women". Author, Joni Hyde offers a new concept that promises visible results in just two weeks. Accomplished in 12-minute total body sculpting workouts, the program is designed especially for women because women gain, store, and burn fat differently than do men. Combines aerobic exercise and strength training into one efficient workout intended to help readers lose fat, reduce appearance of cellulite, and firm hips, thighs, butt, abdomen and the back of the arm. There's a bonus. The strength training component builds lean muscle mass which burns 45 more calories per day than the same amount of body fat. Each of the program's circuits focus on a specific muscle group. As you progress, additional circuits can be incorporated into each sculpting workout. Ten circuits in all, plus a stretch routine for warmups. Supplemental features include a healthy eating plan, as well as a workout log and food journal for monitoring progress. Readers will learn ways to incorporate exercise into their daily lifestyle routine such as making a "fitness appointment" with yourself. The section on planning your workout compares the benefits between morning, afternoon, and evening workout schedules. This valuable information is often left out of exercise guides. Not here, proving the author is well-grounded in all aspects of exercise theory. Finally, excellent illustrations of each component and level of exercise benefiting both beginners and veterans alike. Joni Hyde is a Certified Personal Trainer (American Council on Exercise) and a Certified Health Fitness Instructor (American College of Sports Medicine). 159 fully illustrated pages. 2005. Healthy Living Books, Hatherleigh Press, Long Island City, New York. $16.95 US. "All the essential elements necessary for both immediate success, and lasting results." Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News. BACK TO TOP "Men's Body Sculpting" If you spend hours pumping iron with little or no change in physique, this is your book. Author, Dr. Nick Evans will help you save time, effort, and money while finding the most direct route to physical perfection. He should know. Dr. Evans is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon with 20 years experience as a bodybuilder. The book details the author's three step process for body sculpting. 1. The Mass Generator to quickly pack on pounds of muscle. 2. The Body Fat Blitz to burn calories and showcase muscle. 3. The Hybrid Hard Body to combine muscle growth with fat loss for a sculpted look. All three steps describe specific exercises accompanied by a step-by­step nutritional and supplement advice. Dr. Evans says readers will also learn the science behind building muscle, the importance of selecting correct exercises, and the diet behind proper anabolic muscle growth. Readers are guided through a 12-chapter, self-rejuvenating process addressing the specifics of body sculpting: Muscle Mass Construction, Focused Contraction Training, Gaining an Anabolic Advantage, Cutting Body Fat, Building Lean Muscle, Hard-Muscle Diet, Chiseling the Ultimate Body, and Muscle Care and Maintenance. The book's appendices include resources on nutrition facts, as well as, valuable charts which help the reader monitor progress. "Men's Body Sculpting" by Nick Evans, M.D. 201 pages. 2004. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois. $18.95 US. BACK TO TOP "Yoga Gets Better With Age" Author, Lilias Folan, known as the "First Lady of Yoga" because of her PBS-TV shows, books, audiobooks, videos; offers today's boomers an opportunity to look, act, and feel younger than ever before. Midlife, says the author, is a time to pay close attention to your body, keeping it healthy and active for years to come. This authoritative and imaginative publication offers everything you need to remove stiffness and tension from the body, restore vitality and stamina, improve balance and coordination, and even increase the efficiency of body processes such as digestion and detoxification. It's all accomplished through yoga postures, breathing methods, relaxation exercises, and meditation techniques. The reader is introduced to the author's five step process for physical and spiritual rejuvenation. Step 1: the physical body Remove stiffness and tension from the body with warmups designed to enhance flexibility, increase circulation, and loosen muscular connecting tissue. Step 2: the energy/breath body Use breathing exercises to clear your mind, quiet your inner dialogue, ease into sleep, increase vitality, improve concentration, and better control fear, anger, anxiety, and pain. Step 3: the mental/emotional body Learn to acknowledge sources of pain or stress, then use visualization to let negative feelings go. Step 4: the wisdom body Use meditation to help you trust your own judgment and heighten your creativity. Step 5: the bliss body Use relaxation to get in touch with the stillness, peace, and contentment. Also featured are 44 of Lilias' favorite postures in which the author shares the spiritual and physical benefits of every pose. "Lilias! Yoga Gets Better With Age" by Lilias Folan. 248 pages. 2005. Rodale Books, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. $22.95 US. "Lilias Folan literally wrote THE BOOK on Yoga ... and here it is." Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News. BACK TO TOP "Strength Training for Women" As the latest fad diets come and go, the truth remains that dropping pounds is still only part of the equation. Strength training is an essential component of a woman's fitness routine, helping her look and feel her best. With comprehensive descriptions of exercises and training programs, "Strength Training for Women" outlines the "hows" of strength training as well as the "whys." This book addresses women's concerns about bulking up. Author, Lori Incledon offers customized programs for general strength training, fat-burning, and bone-building, and even tips on competing, for those who advance through the program and are ready to go to the next level. Readers will learn how the female body responds to training, why each exercise is important, and how to design a program that will maximize a woman's distinct physiology. Sample training programs and exercises are provided to work every area of the female form, and may also be customized to fulfill individual training objectives. The benefits of strength training are plentiful, among them increased bone strength, stronger connective tissues, greater functional strength, increased lean body mass, and higher metabolic rate. Chapter topics include: Becoming Fashionably Strong, Muscling Up Your Metabolism, Gaining Superwoman Strength, and more. The "Exercise Finder" offers a quick reference to chapters focusing on specific muscles groups. Also included are quick reference guides to specific programs for beginners, intermediate, and advanced strength training. "Strength Training for Women" by Lori Incledon. 221 pages. 2005. $18.95. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois. "An excellent, step-by-step, well-illustrated guide to becoming all you can be ... and more." Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News. BACK TO TOP "Pilates for Men" For men who want powerful arms, a chiseled chest, and rock-hard abs without the back pain, Pilates expert Elyse McNergney will show you how real men do Pilates. "Pilates for Men" is the first program designed specifically for the male exerciser who desires strength, flexibility, and conditioning. The book offers an additional benefit for weekend warriors. The program helps reduce the risk of injury, and improves game performance such as golf, tennis, or basketball. So, how does the author get the reader from point A to point B in fitness? The workout is a cross-conditioning system that adds resistance training and core stabilization to traditional Pilates moves. "Pilates for Men" is specially intended for men's bodies, allowing them to gain strength, increase their range of motion, and build stamina and energy. Here's the step-by-step process offered in Pilates for Men: 01. Build lean muscle mass while reducing body fat, 02. Increase core strength while improving flexibility, 03. Revitalize energy and boost stamina. It's all based on the ground breaking formula, IM=X FOR MEN (Integrated Movement eXercise) principles created by the author. The five principles address: spinal elongation, forced exhalation, pelvic, ribcage, and spine stabilization. Begin at a level consistant with your current ability, then progress at your own pace. There are plenty of illustrations to guide the reader through each level and series of exercise. The book includes bonus sections on how to maintain motivation, making your program more challenging, and a glossary of terms. Elyse McNergney holds a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from Columbia University and her program has been featured in publications such as Self, Glamour, Shape, and The New York Times. Readers can see the Pilates program in action at IM=X Pilates Studios which are opening across the U.S. and Mexico. "Pilates for Men" by Elyse McNergney, 170 pages, 2005. Hatherleigh Press, Long Island City, New York. $16.95 US. "Science and common sense create a brains and brawn breakthrough for today's busy boomers." Dr. David Demko, AgeVenture News. BACK TO TOP Reviews of media related to gerontology, geriatrics, senior market trends, and retirement planning. Editor: Dr. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 19, May 2005 Click an Image ... and ... Read a Review 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. A major decision confronts every vacation traveler. "Where do you go?" Your travel destination options are as wide-ranging as you can imagine. Problem is, today's whirlwind lifestyles don't allow much time to imagine all the options. Does this sound all too familiar? "If this is Thursday, it's soccer practice for Mary, piano lessons for Bobby, and it's pizza-night for dinner ... sure hope to find some time to finish that report the boss needs first thing tomorrow." Who has the time or energy to "imagine" anything these days? Well, busy person, you are in luck. Well-credentialed, travel expert and author, Patricia Schultz offers would-be travelers a "divide and conquer" strategy for imagining one-thousand travel options. Imagine the globe conveniently divided into eight regions. Each region is then subdivided geographically in order focus on the exceptional travel options, both here and abroad. It's all here. The author offers details about each destination, such as lodging, restaurants, sites to see, how to experience local culture, local excursions, equipment rentals, best times to visit, safety tips, travel documents, and costs. This is an all-in-one, A to Z guide to everything on the globe that's worth experiencing. Best of all, details about each destination appear in capsule summaries that readers can digest in just a minute or two. "An expertly written, awesomely organized, must-read for today's traveler." AgeVenture News Service. "1,000 Places to See Before You Die". Workman Publishing, 2003, 974 pages. ISBN 0-7611-0484-4. $18.95 US. BACK TO TOP Easy Access Europe. Author, Rick Steves addresses accessibility issues at the world's top travel destination, Europe. In order to complete this landmark travel guide, the author enlisted the help of accessibility expert, Ken Plattner. Ken and his team of easy-access researchers identified special needs of slow walkers and wheelchair users. With the help of accessibility organizations in each locale, the author deleted sights, activities, hotels, and restaurants that aren't accessible to the mobility challenged. Readers will also find information about local lodges with a heart for those needing a little extra accessibility help. "Easy Access Europe" addresses the needs of more than wheelchair users. Recognizing that, for many people, long walks and even small climbs take the fun out of European travel, this book assists travelers cope with physical disabilities. The author developed a four level rating system for evaluating the accessibility of travel destinations: rating 1=fully accessible, 2=moderately accessible, 3=minimally accessible, and 4=not accessible). Readers will find codes rating entryways, interiors, toilets, bathrooms, elevators, and even the willingness of staff to help out.Future editions of the book, says the author, will incorporate the experiences easy access travelers. With a passion for making Europe as accessible as possible, the author intends to offer mobility-challenged travelers a smooth, and accessible travel experience. "The right book, at the right time, from the right author. WWII's disabled vets can now revisit, un-encumbered, the European theatre of their heroic victory for the American people." "Easy Access Europe", Avalon Travel Publishing, 2004, 498 pages, ISBN 1-56691-668-2. $19.95. BACK TO TOP Gene Kilgore's Ranch Vacations. "Number 1 for ranch vacations" is how adventure travelers rate this guidebook, now in its 7th edition. No wonder. Gene Kilgore's book offers comprehensive scope, meticulous detail, authoritative advice, and full-color illustrations. Readers will find ranch vacation destinations in eleven of the United States and Canada. Adventure travelers can make decisions based on climate, geography, price ranges, special rates for seniors and kids, and activities offered at each destination. Best of all, the author provides readers with a list of questions to ask in order to faciliate sound decision-making, such as an on-line web site posting guest reviews. SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK (book includes entire list). Does the ranch have a children's program? Do you have a non-riding, or off-season rates? Do I need to buy my own cowboy boots, or is there a rental? Is it open-meadow riding, or head-to-tail riding? Are there non-riding days, or do I ride all week? Will the ranch cater to special diets? What equipment does the ranch provide, and what must I bring? What policies do you have for smoking, liquor, cell phones? Do you provide transportation to and from the airport? Each ranch vacation destination includes a profile describing location and history, contact information (address, phone, e-mail, web site), airport access, professional memberships, access to medical facility, guest capacity, accommodations, activities, entertainment, dining, children's programs, season of operation, rates, and payment options. I found the guidebook a real eye-opener on all the advantages of a get-back-to-nature vacation. In addition to horseback riding, there are opportunities to fly-fish, square dance, campfire story-telling, cattle drives, nature walks, and more. There's enough for everyone here, whether you enjoy roughing it out in the open air, or getting pampered by fine dining and spa facilities. "Gene Kilgore's Ranch Vacations", Avalon Travel Publishing, 2005, 347 pages. ISBN 1-56691-771-9. $22.95. "The best guidebook of its kind." Dr. David J. Demko, editor, AgeVenture News. BACK TO TOP Barrier-Free Travel. Authored by the editor of the leading travel magazine for people with disabilities, Emerging Horizons, this second edition of Barrier Free Travel continues is a definitive guide to accessible travel for those who use a wheelchair, walker, or cane. It is a well-researched resource that contains detailed information about the logistics of planning accessible travel by plane, train, bus, and ship. It contains resources, travel tips, and updated information about accessible travel options. Chapters include information on how to find and book an accessible room, cruises, ground transportation, overseas travel, advocacy, disability law and rights, air travel, protecting your wheelchair when you travel, how to find and work with a travel agent, and resources from around the world. This new edition includes a chapter on children's travel issues and - due to popular demand - a much expanded section on cruises. Expanded airport security procedures have changed the way we travel and thus the book offers new information about these security procedures and how they apply to wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Readers will find advice on air travel, getting around in a wheelchair, bus travel, train travel, cruise travel, what to do when things go wrong, developing a travel budget, working with travel agents, and locating resources. "Barrier-Free Travel", Demos Medical Publishing, 292 pages, 2005. ISBN 1-932603-09-3. $19.95. BACK TO TOP "The CDC Yellow Book on Healthy Travel" The new edition of the "Yellow Book", the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) definitive guide on healthy travel, is now available for the first time to health professionals and everyday travelers through bookstores nationwide and online booksellers. The Yellow Book, which is named for its traditionally yellow cover and is officially titled "Health Information for International Travel," serves as authoritative guide for vital pre-travel healthcare recommendations and essential information about health risks abroad. It is a resource for travel medicine specialists as well as primary healthcare providers who need to provide travel advice. The book also offers vaccination and medication information for disease risks by destination as well as helpful health hints for cruise ship travel, international adoptions, and a wide range of common travel problems such as motion sickness. "More Americans than ever are traveling abroad, and we want to provide them with the best preventive health information before they go," said Paul Arguin, chief of CDC's geographic medicine and health promotion branch. "The Yellow Book is an essential resource for anyone who provides travel medicine advice, especially healthcare providers, travel agents, airlines and cruise lines, as well as for the traveling public." New health topics in this year's edition include: Changes in vaccine recommendations for travelers Updated country by country malaria prevention information Travel hazards: disasters, animals, sickness, food and drink Special travelers: from infants to nursing mothers to the elderly Advice to U.S. immigrants returning home to visit friends and family Improved maps and expanded indexing The Yellow Book, offered by major health publisher Elsevier, is now more accessible than ever to the traveling public. It is available at bookstores, through Internet book sellers or by contacting Elsevier Book Order Fulfillment at 1-800-545-2522 or online at www.us.elsevierhealth.com BACK TO TOP Reviews of media related to gerontology, geriatrics, senior market trends, and retirement planning. Editor: Dr. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 19, April 2005 Click an Image ... and ... Read a Review Prescription and OTC Drug Guide for Seniors. People over the age of 65 represent 14% of the US population but consume more than one-third of prescription medications. The average senior citizen uses more than five different medications each day, not counting nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals or vitamins which as many as 90% of seniors take. But for seniors, there are even additional risks. As a whole, patients follow directions only about half the time. Some forget to take their medications, others fear side effects, some deny they need the medication, or do not understand the dosage instructions. A recent study conducted by the Tufts - New England Medical Center finds that nearly one quarter of seniors reported skipping medications or not filling prescriptions due to costs. The Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Guide for Seniors is a comprehensive guide to a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Drawing on decades of pharmacological experience, Eli and Seymour Ehrenpreis provide easy to understand answers to the most common and important questions consumers ask about new drugs, such as: In what form is the drug available? What are the recommended doses for seniors? What should I do if I miss a dose? What drug reactions or symptoms should I report to the doctor? Should my dentist or surgeon be informed that I am taking this drug? What is the risk factor of this drug for seniors? Should I drive? Is the drug habit forming? Is alcohol permitted? "The Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Guide for Seniors" is available nationwide. McGraw-Hill, 2004, 608 pages, $12.95, ISBN 0-07-137224-5. BACK TO TOP Eating on the Run. America's obesity epidemic is caused mainly by poor food choices and portions that are simply too large. With the hectic schedules most people are faced with healthy eating is usually sacrificed for the sake of convenience. Now, with the help of registered dietician and best-selling author Evelyn Tribole, anyone can make convenient, tasty, and healthy food choices regardless of schedules and time. Eating on the Run deals specifically with the choices busy people have to make on the go-at the grocery store, on the road, at restaurants, and even at work. It gives readers tried and true strategies to make smart food choices for themselves and their family, including: Eating plans for losing or maintaining weight Strategies for grocery shopping, recipes, and easier meal preparation Tips for healthful eating at work, in the car, or at the airport Advice on today's most popular diets like the Atkins and Zone diets Nutritional data on snacks, supplements, energy bars, fast foods Research-based advice for hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Tips for vegans and advice for eating and ordering ethnic cuisine Tribole is a well-known figure on national TV and in national print media. She has served as the nutritional adviser for Good Morning America and the American Dietetic Association, has been a columnist for SHAPE, and has written several books on nutrition. "Eating on the Run", Human Kinetics, 2004, 215 pages, $16.95, ISBN 0-7360-4608-9. BACK TO TOP Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery is a soft cover monograph has two sections. Part 1 gives readers the basics: it's a "walking tour" through the brain. Illustrations with text show what a healthy brain looks like and how it works, and what happens in a brain affected by AD. Part 2 reviews current research and the advances that are bringing us closer to ways of managing, and eventually defeating, AD. Throughout, terms in bold are defined in a glossary at the end of the booklet. The conclusion of the booklet also includes a list of publications and resources that family members and caregivers may find useful as they live day-to-day with the disease. A booklet like this would not have been possible 25 years ago. Other than some basics we knew very little about AD. We did not even know it was a distinct disease, different from normal aging. Today, we know much more about Alzheimer's disease, what it is, who gets it, how it develops, and what course it follows. We are better able to diagnose it early and accurately. We even have some promising leads on possible treatments. Recent studies are also beginning to focus on factors that might be used to reduce a person's risk of developing AD in the future. Research conducted over the last two decades has deepened our understanding of this devastating dis. ease. It also has expanded our knowledge of brain function in healthy older people and identified ways we might lessen normal agerelated declines in mental function. A free copy of the booklet is available from the publisher, Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, www.alzheimers.org BACK TO TOP The Midlife Bible: a Woman's Survival Guide An expert in the issues facing women at midlife, Dr. Michael P. Goodman, M.D. saw a need for a comprehensive guide specifically addressing the issues that women at midlife face. Drawing from his experiences as a medical practitioner with over thirty-three years experience in obstetrics, gynecology and peri-menopausal medicine, Dr. Goodman created The Midlife Bible: A Woman's Survival Guide. The Midlife Bible (Robert D. Reed Publishers, $14.95) is a complete but concise guide to the issues of feminine midlife. The author explains the conditions common to women in midlife: PMS, perimenopause and menopause, natural, nutritional and hormonal approaches, bone density problems, sexuality issues, fatigue states, stress, vulvar pain, incontinence and prolapse, late childbearing, relationship issues, insomnia, psychological "blahs," and the dilemma of childlessness at midlife. Moreover, The Midlife Bible includes information about breast cancer and sexuality. Dr. Goodman acknowledges the many different situations of midlife and acts as a guide for individualized decision-making. He explains and offers relief from the "peri-menopausal crazies" and, most importantly, simplifies the hormone replacement therapy decision with a full discussion of prescription hormones, bio-identicals and compounded preparations, and non-hormonal alternatives. Dr. Goodman is a Gynecologist, Certified Menopausal Clinician, and Certified Clinical Bone Densiometrist. In his medical practice, he specializes in perimenopausal medicine, midlife sexuality, osteoporosis prevention, gynecological ultrasound, and difficult-to -manage women's health issues. "The Midlife Bible", Robert D. Reed Publishers, 276 pages, 2004, $14.95, ISBN 1-931741-32-8. BACK TO TOP How to Avoid Probate by Creating a Living Trust. Many of us mistakenly believe that our Last Will and Testaments will keep our estates out of costly and time-consuming probate court. Not so, according to Gordon Mead Bennett. A will guarantees that you'll end up in probate's snatches. Estate planning is one of the most important issues baby boomers will confront. This guide reveals how consumers can save money while protecting their hardearned assets. The author exposes ten popular estate-planning myths in order to acquaint the un-initiated with the pit-falls of probate. Myth #1: A Living Trust must be drawn by an attorney. Truth: A Living Trust is not a document. It is a technique of titling assets. Myth #2: Joint ownership of assets avoids probate. Truth: Joint ownership of assets only delays probate. Myth #3: Estates of $600,000 or less do not require probate. Truth: The necessity of probate begins with the very first dollar in many states. Myth #4: A Last Will and Testament avoids probate. Truth: All wills must be authenticated or proven in probate court. Myth #5: Giving joint ownership of real estate to legal-age children avoids probate. Truth: Joint ownership of real estate sets the children up for capital gains taxes. Myth #6: A parent is free to sell real estate held jointly with adult children. Truth: Giving a child joint ownership makes the child a legal owner of the property. Myth #7: An attorney can write a clause into a will allowing it to avoid probate. Truth: Probate is a proving process from which no will is immune. Myth #8: Adding a clause disinheriting any heir makes the will incontestable. Truth: Such clauses have no merit in a court of law. Myth #9: Living trusts are very expensive and take weeks to prepare. Truth: Most living trusts are completed in less than an hour. Myth #10: You lose control of your assets if you place them in a trust before you die. Truth: You may designate yourself to have complete control of the assets. "How to Avoid Probate", Barnes & Noble Books, 213 pages, 2004, $12.95, ISBN 0-7607-5472-1. BACK TO TOP Reviews of media related to gerontology, geriatrics, senior market trends, and retirement planning. Editor: Dr. Demko......Library of Congress ISSN 1088-5889...... Volume 18, July 2004 Click an Image ... and ... Read a Review The New Retirement. Does it seem like you've spent a life time searching for the perfect retirement planning guide? If so, now you can retire from your search. Nestled among the mountains of how-to books, I found something new ... and best of all ... something truly different. Authors Jan Cullinane and Cathy Fitzgerald offer readers a yellow brick road to the perfect retirement destination. Perfect because the destination you choose is based on your unique needs. You will not find a lock-step, "one size fits all" plan here. More than just informative, this book is inspirational. Turning these pages awakens your motivation to plan. Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. So motivation to plan is the real key to retirement success. "New Retirement" opens the reader's mind to all the possibilities, and all the resources necessary to arrive in style when you get to retirement's door. Readers aren't just invited to drink the water, the authors get you to jump in and swim among a sea of options. Some say, "You can't judge a book by it's cover." Wrong. The book's cover design, created by Joanna Williams, is the best I've seen in my 25-plus years in the field of gerontology. Let's not forget, the first obstacle publishers must overcome is to "get people to pick up the book ... then read ... then plan ... then retire successfully. The cover design is bold, compelling, and a wonderful metaphor to those who believe our retirement outlook is sunny and bright ... with nothing but blue skies ahead. I predict a Best Seller. One other thing. When I began reading the book, I was pleased to notice the attention to detail. For example, right there in the book's acknowledgments, the authors note their financial experts are Certified Financial Planners, not just financial consultants. If you don't know the difference between these two professional groups, you really need this book. In fact, I'd advise, "Don't retire without it." Topics address issues related to time management, personal goal-setting, meaningful use of time (travel, education, voluntary service), extra income (second careers, consulting), retirement locations, legal and financial concerns, health and wellness, and checklists to facilitate comprehensive and sound retirement planning. Readers will also find a few retirement quotes from "yours truly". "The New Retirement" (Rodale Press, 2004, ISBN 1-57954-796-6) Paperback: $19.95 US. If you'd like to order a copy, contact Rodale Press via the Internet (www.rodale.com) or phone: (1-800-848-4735). I strongly suggest you call. Trying to log-on to the web site is harder than passing a kidney stone. Ouch ! BACK TO TOP Diet Power Weight-Loss Coach. One-third of Americans are on a diet at any given time. Two-thirds who manage to lose weight end up gaining all the pounds back, sometimes more. This explains why there are lots of diet strategies, many of which never work. Anyone considering a weight-loss program needs to make sure the makers of the program have proper expertise. If you weigh a lot, and waited a lot time for something good to come along. Read on. When I reviewed this program, I found it to be based on scientifically sound principles, authentic credentials (any one can call themselves a "nutritionist", but those who are certified dietitians and academic researchers really have the goods), and best of all ... a free, no worries, trial period and money back guarantee. If some things sound to good to be true, they really are not. In this case, I'm happy to report that extraordinary program is "the real thing". Diet Power is a computer program disk that works independently or in concert with popular diet strategies such as Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, and the American Heart Association diet. DietPower’s Personal Nutrition Coach reveals your intake of 33 nutrients as you log your meals. Because it continually adjusts your calorie budget as it “learns” your metabolism. The coach also recommends foods you like that will balance your nutrient intake, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Diet Power is the creation of Terry Dunkle, CEO and founder of the company. Scientific advisors contributing to the diet strategy include Ann Coulston, past president of the American Dietetic Association; Robert Epstein, founder of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies; and Barry Franklin, former president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Users will find resources on the disk which analyze nutrients available in 11,000 foods and recipes. In addition, Diet Power also tracks calories that can be burned off in 800 kinds of exercise. In order to chart your progress, the program provides users with a Nutrition Quotient (NQ) illustrating how intelligent they've been eating lately. The program comes with a lifetime money-back guarantee, can be downloaded from the Internet for free 15-day trail period. Those who purchase the Diet Power Weight Loss Coach ($49.99) receive weekly nutrition news via e-mail. The Diet Power web site is located at: www.dietpower.com BACK TO TOP Crime in the Home Health Care Field. Forget the Romance Novels this summer vacation. Brian K. Payne's book about workplace violence, fraud, and abuse should be required reading for all Americans. Who needs this book? Those coping with elder parent care, advocates of the elderly, health care leaders who want to get eldercare right, public officials who want the nation's top issue in a "nutshell", and any one who knows that being an informed consumer is the first order of business when it comes to health care. Health care is inspected and reviewed from every vantage point. Reader will find health care's history, industry growth, occupational outlook, personnel credentials, consumer advice, what to look for in quality health, and risk factors favoring patient abuse - crime - fraud. Concepts, issues, and trends are well-documented and illustrated in the book's numerous tables. A timeline of health care growth in America acquaints the reader with events that influenced the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies, and future perspectives. Families considering health care will find a clear distinction between services available from a variety of private duty personnel such as home health aides and personal care aides. The book also offers an excellent listing of the qualities necessary to provide effective home health care. Very helpful to the interview and selection process. For those with loved ones residing in a health care facility, the author cites a point-by-point strategy, created by a Deputy Attorney General, for responding to abuse and fraud. May be you're not sure just what does and does not constitute as abuse. Again, the author details types, frequency of occurence, and tips for collecting evidence. If there is a down-side to the publication, it is the likelihood of its references to agencies, associations, regulations, and laws becoming out-dated in this rapidly expanding, constantly changing enterprise. However, the issue of timeliness on this matters is easily remedied. The reader is directed to the Internet's best resource for continuing updates which is the Social Security Administration's web site located at: "www.seniors.gov". The other 95 percent of the book, however, contains valuable and timely information and advice, noted above. "Crime in the Health Care Field" by Brian K. Payne, (2003) ISBN 0-398-07404-4 ($29.95, paperback) Charles C Thomas Publishing, Springfield, Illinois. BACK TO TOP Midlife Mommas on the Moon. With high praises. That's how author, Sunny Hersh's new book arrived. But I'm a skeptic. Today, we live in an over-sold, more sizzle than substance, over-hyped society. Thank goodness when we get pleasantly surprised by the fact that all the high praise is hard-earned and well-deserved. Midlife Mommas is a winner. The author offers insights and strategies for women intent on coping and conquering the slings and arrows of their often outrageous midlives. The author's goal? The way I read it, the message is "midlife offers a gateway to a full life". How? By transforming your relationships with your teens, friends, and aging parents. Hersh says her book is "the first to focus on how to stay married and grow with your spouse." Failing that, Hersh details how to survive a divorce and approach intimacy with a new partner. A wellness trainer and former advertising executive, Hersh experienced her own midlife wake-up call at 45, besieged by physical, emotional and lifestyle changes. She likens the aging process to dancing backward in high heels while spinning plates, and shares humorous stories from her 30-year marriage and the never-ending essay known as parenting. Midlife Mamas on the Moon is her upbeat map through the minefield of midlife, a guide to positive choices that will keep readers from being blown away by life's accidents. Packed with an arsenal of self-help resources, the author says "Midlife Mamas" celebrates the great health, friendships, sex, and money needed to launch your second life. Hersh inspires readers to answer the questions "ripped from the today's headlines". Do drugs like Viagra turn your husband on, or do you? Will baby boomers go bust or save and work through the years? What does it take to get your 25-year-old to move out and get a real job? And, there's more. Lots more. In addition to your health and wealth, this warm, funny "digest" of mid life wisdom has practical ideas on hoVl to It is the first women's midlife book to focus on how to stay married and grow with your spouse, though it also details how to survive a divorce and approach intimacy with a new partner. "Midlife Momma's on the Moon" by Sunny Hersh (2004) ISBN 0-9743093-7-0 ($14.95 paperback), Fast Forward Publications, Long Valley, New Jersey. BACK TO TOP Genealogy: a do-it-yourself guide written by well-credentialed author, George G. Morgan, "Genealogy" is today's Alpha and Omega on the topic. In this reviewer's opinion, it will be a very long time before another author tops, or even manages to match Morgan's work. This self-help guide for finding the "routes to your roots" is second to none. Any one who remains unclear about what genealogy is, can do, and how to get started need only turn these pages. On the topic of "getting started", the author believes that genealogy, like charity, starts at home. Lists of sources and records available within the confines of one's home are described as the basis for exploring your genealogy. All those documents boxed, taped, and stored in our basements, attics, and garages provide a mother-load of information, the pieces to the puzzle of our lives. Don't forget the relatives. In fact, the best part of family gatherings are the stories told and retold about ancestors. The family reunion is a virtual living history about your roots. Outside the home, the author focuses on public records that have kept a record of you. Records held on immigration, military service, property transfers, marriage, and death all provide evidence or leads to evidence of your ancestry. Excellent advice is also offered on how to locate information on the Internet, and what to do when you find the proverbial "brick wall". Where and how do you re-start your search. "Genealogy" also reminds the family researcher that finding all that evidence may prove to be the easiest part of your historical journey. How do you categorize, organize, and store the evidence into a coherent body of literature? It's all here for the reading. As Morgan points out, the road to organizing your ancestry has been well-traveled. In-depth descriptions of genealogy software programs are provided so you don't half to re-invent the wheel. Learn and benefit from the experts. Nothing that I can tell has been overlooked by the author whose background reads like a "Who's Who" among world leaders in genealogy. "Genealogy: how to do everything" by George G. Morgan (2004) ISBN 0-07-223170-X ($24.99 paperback) McGraw-Hill/Osborne, Emeryville, California. BACK TO TOP Copyright © 1974-2006, David J. Demko, AgeVenture News Service. All rights reserved. Copyright Terms and Restrictions