If you want to dive into the positive changes this new year could bring, here are 25 books, articles, and podcasts focused on aging, happiness, and navigating the pandemic, we hope they will inspire you as we head into the hopeful unknown
Books
Whether you're aging in place, planning to retire, or moving to a senior community, entering new stages of life comes with many challenges and opportunities in our golden years. The following books can help you navigate those changes and embrace all that they have to offer.
Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog 2020
Dave Barry
Pulitzer-prize winning columnist and humorist Dave Barry will inspire you to live joyously in old age while making you laugh all the way through this book. As Dave turns 70, he realizes his dog Lucy is dealing better with growing old than he is and sets out to discover why.
Keep it Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life 2019
Twyla Tharp
Bestselling author and famous choreographer Twyla Tharp combines personal stories with a sort of “how-to” book on aging well. She shares lessons on finding purpose and growth as you get older.
The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+: Winning Strategies to Make Your Money Last a Lifetime 2020
Suze Orman
Retirement is as complicated as ever, and many older adults are fearful and anxious about the topic. Nearing 70 herself, financial expert Suze Orman will guide you to retirement no matter your age and put you in control of your future.
Why Did I Come into This Room? 2020
Joan Lunden
Billed as a “candid conversation about aging,” the former Good Morning America host shares how she has been coping with aging through often hilarious personal experiences. She discusses the emotional and physical aspects of aging while helping readers find joy and purpose.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life 2017
Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles
This book explores the idea that everyone has an ikigai, meaning reason for living, and explores how finding it leads to a long and happy life. Through interviews with people on the Japanese island known for its long life expectancy, the authors give you tools to find your own ikigai and greater happiness.
Growing Old: Notes on Aging with Something Like Grace 2020
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Both a memoir and a look at how seniors are treated in society, Growing Old takes on a range of issues related to getting older. With charm and wit, this book will help you embrace aging.
The Beauty of Living Twice 2021
Sharon Stone
This new book by Sharon Stone is a personal account of how the actress had to rebuild her life after a devastating stroke. Hailed as “a book for the wounded,” it is a candid and inspiring call to activism that proves it is never too late.
This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism 2020
Ashton Applewhite
Ashton Applewhite is an author, activist, and TED speaker. In this book, she calls for an end to discrimination based on age. She debunks myths about older adults and takes a hard look at ageism and why it is so prevalent in our society.
Articles
You can easily read these articles online, using your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Older Adults are Getting Creative to Battle Loneliness During Pandemic
From Providence Health Services, this article discusses the health risks of loneliness and gives practical advice for combatting it.
5 Tips for Handling Pandemic Fatigue
Everyone is feeling pandemic fatigue, but the health risks from COVID are greater than ever. Discover ways to keep your mental health strong.
What to Know about the Coronavirus Vaccines
The AARP answers common questions about the new vaccines and provides updates on their availability.
6 Signs you are Ready to Retire Early
With millions of jobs lost during the pandemic, some may be thinking about retirement. Make sure you can tick off all of the boxes in this article.
Easy Vegetables to Grow Indoors
It seems like everyone has been finding their green thumb during the pandemic. If you want to grow your own food but don't have a large space, this article will teach you what to grow inside your home.
Pain from Sitting Too Much? Here's How to Fix It
The Silver Sneakers website is full of great workout videos you can do at home. This article about sitting too much is useful to anyone who has been more sedentary than usual.
Since we are cooking more at home and avoiding unnecessary trips to the grocery store, it makes sense to make the most of our food. Learn how to reduce food waste with this article from the EPA.
Podcasts
You can listen to these podcasts on your computer, or use your favourite mobile app for podcasts on any smartphone or device.
This podcast's host talks to amazing people about what happiness means to them in interesting conversions about mental well-being.
A podcast by NPR, Life Kit teaches you how to do just about everything. Episodes like “Coping with Anxiety Around the News” and “What to Say to People Hesitant About the Coronavirus Vaccine” are timely skills for 2021.
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta helps make sense of the endless stream of information in the news and gets you the information you need to stay healthy.
If you are tired of always being asked to look at the bright side, this podcast may be for you. Host Nora McInerny asks people to share their honest feelings beyond just “I'm fine” and takes on difficult subjects with humor.
Meditation can relieve stress and anxiety, both of which are sky-high for many right now. It can also be intimidating to get started. This podcast is a simple way to learn what meditation is all about.
This podcast helps people feel better by getting healthier. It offers practical tools and debunks common health myths. Dr. Rangan Chatterjee hosts and brings in various health experts to discuss a range of topics.
Conversations about death and grief may not sound like something you would listen to on purpose, but this award-winning podcast is hosted by comedians and blends raw topics with humor.
Born during quarantine, this podcast was a mini-series that helped give inspiration on what to cook and kept people company through the lockdowns. The series may be finished recording, but the episodes are as useful as ever.
Leslie Kernisan, MD, is a geriatrics specialist who tackles common problems people face as they age. Listen to learn what really works for better health.
Taylor Shauman
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