"Lynch provides a fresh and comprehensive look at the potential for politically mobilizing the large Boomer generation. He successfully mixes anecdotes, scholarship, and statistics to present an entertaining and informative analysis of a timely topic. Anyone desiring to effect change in public policy will welcome this book."—William H. Frey, The Brookings Institution “Fred Lynch has written a nuanced and marvelously comprehensive examination of the state of the Boomer Nation. This book offers an in-depth look at the economic challenges facing Boomers as well as a colorful account of how AARP has tried to rebrand itself to attract the generation that once celebrated the free spirit and hated the ‘establishment’.”—Neil Howe, co-author of The Graying of the Great Powers "A timely and important study of one of the most powerful lobbying groups in America as it redefines its mission and its message to confront the generational challenges of the twenty-first century." —Steve Gillon, author of Boomer Nation and Resident Historian of the History Channel "Fred Lynch's interpretation is an illuminating and much needed empirical corrective to the confusing and misleading cant that dominates so much of the debate. His scholarship deftly distinguishes between the organization's marketing to an aging society and the diverse realities of that population demographic." —Ted Marmor, author of Fads, Fallacies, and Foolishness in Medical Care Management and Policy and The Politics of Medicare

This book provides a fresh and even-handed account of the newly modernized AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)—the 40-million member insurance giant and political lobby that continues to set the national agenda for Medicare and Social Security. Frederick R. Lynch addresses AARP’s courtship of 78 million aging baby boomers and the possibility of harnessing what may be the largest ever senior voting bloc to defend threatened cutbacks to Social Security, Medicare, and under-funded pension systems. Based on years of research, interviews with key strategists, and analyses of hundreds documents, One Nation under AARP profiles a largely white generation, raised in the relatively tranquil 1950s and growing old in a twenty-first century nation buffeted by rapid economic, cultural, and demographic change. Lynch argues that an ideologically divided boomer generation must decide whether to resist entitlement reductions through its own political mobilization or, by default, to empower AARP as it tries to shed its "greedy geezer" stereotype with an increasingly post-boomer agenda for multigenerational equity.

Sustain loving relationships and set yourself up for emotional wellness in your fifties, sixties, and beyond with this valuable collection of advice from two psychology experts. "Drs. Mayer and Jacobs use their clinical wisdom and story-telling abilities to bring to life the challenges for couples as they age. Their advice will help strengthen long-term relationships to combat the rising trend of Gray Divorce."--Janis Abrahms Spring, PhD, author of After the Affair and Life with Pop With couples divorcing at higher rates than any generation before, and longer lifespans leaving people unwilling to settle for an unsatisfying partner, it's more important than ever to refocus and strengthen your relationship. The only question is: how? In AARP Love and Meaning after 50, husband-wife psychologist team Julia Mayer and Barry Jacobs -- with 50+ years of experience between them -- identify the 10 most common challenges to sustain loving relationships: The Empty Nest * Extended Family * Finances * InfidelityRetirement * Downsizing and Relocating * SexHealth Concerns * Caregiving * Loss of Loved Ones AARP Love and Meaning after 50 offers insights and anecdotes, do it yourself assessments and follow-up exercises, and tips for connecting through the difficult times. With this book, you'll find deeper meaning and greater satisfaction for the decades ahead--together.

This book "sets out to change the current conversation about what it means to get older. In it, Jenkins chronicles her own journey, as well as those of others who are making their mark as disrupters, to show readers how we can all be active, financially unburdened, and happy as we get older. It's [a] ... narrative that touches on all the important issues facing people 50+ today, from caregiving and mindful living to building age-friendly communities and attaining financial freedom"--

This examination of the history, development, activities, successes, and limitations of the largest membership organization in the country will be of interest to anyone who belongs to or is curious about this sometimes-controversial group. AARP is one of Washington's most influential interest groups, but just who does it represent? To some, it represents the narrow special interests of older Americans who already consume more than their share of government benefits. To others, its advocacy encompasses everyone, including those with elderly parents and grandparents—and those who will comprise the older generations of the future. The most comprehensive volume ever written about AARP, the book begins with a chapter on the organization's history, going back to its founding in 1958 and its roots in the National Retired Teachers Association, established in 1947. Readers will learn about AARP's membership and chapter activities, including how it grew to be the largest membership organization in the country. Perhaps even more engrossing is the book's investigation of the nature and extent of AARP's political influence and its positions and priorities as it struggles to represent a large and diverse constituency. Finally, the study discusses AARP's organizational model, which combines political advocacy, business, and charity, and probes the controversies arising from what AARP's critics charge are conflicts of interest.

a biography of the founder of AARP, now 37 million strong

Make your later years your best! As many people live longer, they have more choices than ever before to make their later years more fulfilling. With AARP’s Navigating Your Later Years For Dummies, Portable Edition,you discover the many options you have for living independently, getting the best healthcare, and determining what legal papers and insurance you need. You don’t need to make these types of decisions alone. This handy resource also gives you expert advice on how to review your choices and discuss them with loved ones. This practical guide gives you advice on how to Downsize and declutter your home, talking to your family about what they want—and don’t want Decide whether to stay in your home or move to a retirement community Create wills, trusts, advance directives, and living wills Determine when it’s time to let someone else do the driving Facing the changes that come with aging can be tough, but you can make the most of this special time of your life. Navigating Your Later Years For Dummies, Portable Edition, gives you the information you need to stroll confidently into your future.

Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.

"Practical advice you can trust from the experts at AARP"--Cover.

Weight loss for grownups! Drawing on the NIH/AARP Diet and Health Study, the largest-ever survey of American diet and lifestyle Complete with three prescriptive weight-loss plans, the AARP New American Diet helps you lose up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks while staying vital, happy, and healthy for a lifetime. Author John Whyte, MD, Chief Medical Expert for the Discovery Channel, reveals surprising new research insights, such as the fact that drinking diet soda and eating fat-free foods can actually lead to weight gain. Filled with practical advice and listing the top 25 diet busters and the top 25 diet boosters, this breakthrough book combines the best of the Mediterranean diet and the American diet and includes up-to-the-minute guidelines on meat, alcohol, fat, sugar, and fiber consumption. Drawing on the NIH/AARP Diet and Healthy Study, the largest-ever research project on American diet and lifestyle Packed with simple, practical advice you can put to work right away to help get healthy, stay vital, and lose weight Includes three prescriptive weight-loss plans—a 7-day plan, 2-week plan, and 4-week plan Published in conjunction with AARP, working on behalf of millions of members nationwide