Elderhood, Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life
by Louise Aronson

In the latter years there are possibilities for joy, transcendence, and meaning, but also for just the opposite. Aronson writes like a memoirist while giving us scientific insight, philosophical wisdom, and wise counsel for a journey and destination we all share. Elderhood is a lovely and thoughtful exploration of this voyage.”—Abraham Verghese, Author of “Cutting for Stone”.

“Aronson’s Elderhood is dazzling, rich with knowledge gleaned from her professional work as a geriatrician, her personal experience as a daughter, her common sense, her thorough analysis of our social supports and cultural messaging. Her arguments are powerful, and her conclusions are revolutionary. I hope everyone who has a stake in older people, which is ultimately all of us, will read this book.”— Mary Pipher, author of Women Rowing North”.

“In Elderhood, the physician-writer Louise Aronson provides an honest and humane analysis of what it means to grow old in America. Her book—part memoir, history, and social critique—is deeply sympathetic to elders and sharply critical of the ‘anti-aging industry’ that has tried to turn being elderly into some sort of disease. I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who plans on growing old in this country.”— Sandeep Jair, author of “Heart: A History”.

“As Louise Aronson says, ‘Life offers just two possibilities: die young or grow old.’ This searing, luminous book is for everyone who hopes to accomplish the latter and remain fully human as they do. It will challenge your assumptions and open your mind—and it just might change your life.”— Lucy Kalanithi, MD, editor Lucy Kalanithi editor of When Breath Becomes Air”.

“A wise and beautiful book, to be cherished by anyone who hopes to keep on growing, aging, and learning.”— Perri Klass, MD.

“The book that every one of us has been or will be looking for— a passionate, illuminating, brilliant, and beautifully written meditation on aging and caring for elders, Elderhood is a godsend.”— Pauline Chen, MD. Author of “Final Exam”.

Aronson’s deep empathy, hard-won knowledge, and vivid reportage makes for one of the best accounts around of the medical mistreatment of the old.”— Publishers Weekly