This book just hit the stores today, and as part of the early review team, I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my “open and honest review.” So here goes!

Lately I have seen an explosion of books about “the second half of life.” The theme usually revolves around how it isn’t too late to follow your dreams, achieve your goals, re-invent yourself, etc. Nothing wrong with that—the fact that people are living longer and dealing with the challenges and stereotypes of aging, as well as women now being more vocal about menopause, has led to a demand for books that address this topic. But to be honest, the choices can be overwhelming, and I thought this book was just “more of the same.” No, this one is a little different.

Known as “America’s Gerontologist,” Dr. Kerry Burnight is medically qualified to discuss the specific challenges of getting “older” and the importance of the “Joyspan” of our lives, which is more important than our lifespan. As she states, longevity is only 25 percent genetics and 75 percent lifestyle, and throughout the book she discusses how “keeping our joy tank full” greatly improves our quality of life and mental health. She devotes an entire chapter to each of the four elements of the Joyspan grid–Grow, Connect, Adapt and Give–and takes you through specific ways to incorporate these into your daily life. My favorite part of the book is the section on “daily check-ins” and suggestions for what to do when you start feeling tired, foggy, down or “when you’re not sure what the problem is, and you just feel blah.” With loneliness and isolation the top two causes of poor mental health as we age, she offers concrete suggestions to foster better relationships and make new ones. Her personal stories about her own experiences, her parents, grandparents and friends, adds the perfect personal touch to this guide for getting older.

If you or someone you know is fearful of the aging process or “dreads getting old,” this is a must-read. Oh, and she gives one admonition that I just have to share, because we’ve all done it: “Don’t call an old person “cute;” as she says, many see it as patronizing and offensive. Also, stay away from those greeting cards that make fun of being “over the hill.” This is a subtle sign of our culture’s disdain for the aging process. And don’t get her started on the beauty industry…