Brown Bag Book Club: Elderhood

The Brown Bag Book Club will meet in person at Parr Library on Thursday, May 25, at noon, to discuss Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson.

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

Available in: Print | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook

Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson is an exploration of the complex realities and experiences of growing old. With great empathy and profound insights, Aronson challenges our conventional notions of aging and shines a much-needed light on the vital role elders play in our society. Aronson not only urges us to reconsider our approach to healthcare and the elderly but also encourages us to embrace the inherent wisdom and potential that elderhood offers. 

The book is divided into three sections, each addressing a critical aspect of elderhood. Aronson’s exploration of the healthcare system and its shortcomings when it comes to caring for older adults is eye-opening. She exposes the ageist biases that persist within medical institutions and highlights the urgent need for reform. Aronson’s critique is not rooted in negativity, but rather in a genuine desire to improve the quality of care and respect afforded to elders. 

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction, a New York Times Bestseller, Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, Winner of the WSU AOS Bonner Book Award, and Winner of the 2022 At Home With Growing Older Impact Award

Louise Aronson’s expert blend of personal stories, medical knowledge, and social commentary provides a comprehensive and enlightening perspective on this often-overlooked phase of life. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in creating a more compassionate and inclusive society for people of all ages. 

By collectively observing age from diverse perspectives, the author hopes readers (and caregivers) will discover a new appreciation for growing old that is positive, fruitful, and rewarding. Empathetic, probing, and often emotionally moving narratives on appreciating the power and the pain of aging.

Kirkus, 2019

From the Pulitzer website:

Louise Aronson MD, MFA is Professor of Geriatrics at UCSF where her interests include optimizing healthcare for older adults, medical education, reflective learning, integrative geriatrics, and public medical writing. A graduate of Brown University, Harvard Medical School and the Warren Wilson Program for Writers, Dr. Aronson has served as director of the Northern California Geriatrics Education Center, UCSF’s Pathways to Discovery (scholarly concentration) program, and UCSF Medical Humanities… As an educator, she has developed innovative programs for geriatrics training for non-geriatricians, interprofessional education, reflection in medical education, and use of writing to harness the expertise and unique experiences of clinicians and medical scientists in service of health and health care.

The Brown Bag Book Club will meet in person at Parr Library on Thursday, May 25, at noon, to discuss Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson.