What are Old People For? : How Elders Will Save the World

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Summary: Our Guru from Eldertopia Speaks
Review: Dr. Bill Thomas' new book is essential, and provocative reading, for anyone who has a parent, an older member of his or her family, an elder friend or work colleague, or who wonders how our society can take advantage of the untapped energy and wisdom our elders provide us. All too soon, we age. Within a few short years, the population of our elders will double. The prospect can either overwhelm us or can fuel new perceptions about how we can learn from our global elders, so that our futures will be enriched and not endangered. Dr. Bill's insights are accessible. He could very well be described as our Guru of the Eldertopia he envisions and describes so eloquently.

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Summary: What Are Old People For
Review: Dr. Thomas is a master story teller who is totally informative without being clinical. He creates a welcomeness to elderhood instead of fear and resistance. An excellant gift for any age; presented with warmth and a passion. I will read all of his books. Thank you Dr. Thomas

Sharon J. Jeffer

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Summary: A Perfect Blueprint for a Paradigm Shift
Review: This is a "must read" book for everyone. It's an elegant book, in which Dr. Thomas is doing magnificent work in a field desperately requiring a lucid spotlight of hope. If you want to age gracefully and healthfully, first of all exercise. If you want to be valued for your age, your skills, your intellect and capacities, then read this book, and then pass it on to all the younger people you know -- and share it with all the people your own age...whatever that is. The United States doesn't really have a category such as "national treasures" except in the entertainment arena with the Lincoln Center honors...and yet each person aging (everyone does it) becomes just this, a national treasure of great value in each of their life worlds. Paraphrasing the great Pogo, Dr. Bill Thomas says of wrinkles: "Wrinkles are painless and harmless. They are us and we are them." Wrinkles are our individual medals of honor! Accepting them as badges of courage this book helps us to step into our rightful positions as leaders and guides to the rest of our society. Buy it! Share it! It really helps you shift your perception of your value as you age...gracefully and well. Did I say exercise was essential? It is.

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Summary: A revolutionary resource of ideas
Review: What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save The World is a revolutionary resource of ideas presented by professional geriatrician William H. Thomas, M.D. Stressing the importance of learning to enjoy what aging has to offer, the need to replace today's nursing homes with positive alternatives so that elders need not fear institutionalization, suggestions for creating Green Houses where older people can live together intentionally, and recommending steps to build a society where aging, longevity, and the wisdom of the elderly are used to build an improved life for people of all ages, What Are Old People For? is a "must-read" in today's era when people are living longer than ever before. A keenly inspired look into the failings on an individual and cultural level that need to be rectified, as well as speculations upon the meaning of aging itself and practical applications to improve quality of life.



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Summary: A great and inspiring book
Review: When I finish reading the last page of any book, I like to close the cover and spend a few moments reflecting on what I had just read. Sometimes I feel personally connected with the author as though he/she wrote the book for me and me alone. Other times, I am re-energized with a new awareness that propels me as I go about my day-to-day activities. Most often, I am inspired to look at life from another perspective - seeking to understand rather than being understood (this attitude comes in handy when I am repulsed by some of the things people say and do). Books also offer a sense of hope; that life on this earth, no matter what happens, is a gift from God. Finally, I am forever in awe of the power of the written word - one sentence can start a war while another offers peace to the dying.

WHAT ARE OLD PEOPLE FOR left me with these notions, and more. This is a book about kindness, about being human. I dare any adult to behave in the same way they did toward the elderly once they finish reading this book. In fact, I dare anyone to say one more negative thing about old people. Truth is... what we all have in common is the fact that we are aging. Like it or not, we are on our way to Tomorrow Land: A place where these old people will be replaced by us.

Bravo to Dr. Bill Thomas - for his guidance and vision. This book will undoubtedly help carve a new path on the subject of aging in America.

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Summary: A Must Read for anyone selling to or serving older adults.
Review: While Bill Thomas is best known for his writings on reinventing nursing homes with the Eden Alternative, the wisdom he shares in his latest effort has something for every organization selling to or serving older adults - with the aging of the baby boom that's everyone. This book should be requried reading in every college and business. Further, it is must read for anyone that would like to develop positive aging self awareness and thus add some years to their life and definitely some life to their remaining years. I have been conducting workshops on marketing to middle age and older adults for over 20 years and this book will be recommended reading at every future seminar.