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Extra Time: 10 Lessons for an Ageing World
‘An inspirational call to arms’ DAILY MAIL
‘This book is so sensible, so substantially researched, so briskly written, so clear in its arguments, that one wishes Baroness Cavendish was still whispering into the prime ministerial ear’ THE TIMES
‘A thoughtful handbook to help societies age gracefully’ FINANCIAL TIMES
‘This bold, visionary book is a wake-up call to governments. It is a wake-up call to us all’ SUNDAY TIMES
From award-winning journalist, Camilla Cavendish, comes a profound analysis of one of the biggest challenges facing the human population today.
The world is undergoing a dramatic demographic shift. By 2020, for the first time in history, the number of people aged 65 and over will outnumber children aged five and under. But our systems are lagging woefully behind this new reality. In Extra Time, Camilla Cavendish embarks on a journey to understand how different countries are responding to these unprecedented challenges.
Travelling across the world in a carefully researched and deeply human investigation, Cavendish contests many of the taboos around ageing. Interviewing leading scientists about breakthroughs that could soon transform the quality and extent of life, she sparks a debate about how governments, businesses, doctors, the media and each one of us should handle the second half of life. She argues that if we take a more positive approach, we should be able to reap the benefits of a prolonged life. But that will mean changing our attitudes andusing technology, community, even anti-ageing pills, to bring about a revolution.
‘This book is so sensible, so substantially researched, so briskly written, so clear in its arguments, that one wishes Baroness Cavendish was still whispering into the prime ministerial ear’ THE TIMES
‘A thoughtful handbook to help societies age gracefully’ FINANCIAL TIMES
‘This bold, visionary book is a wake-up call to governments. It is a wake-up call to us all’ SUNDAY TIMES
From award-winning journalist, Camilla Cavendish, comes a profound analysis of one of the biggest challenges facing the human population today.
The world is undergoing a dramatic demographic shift. By 2020, for the first time in history, the number of people aged 65 and over will outnumber children aged five and under. But our systems are lagging woefully behind this new reality. In Extra Time, Camilla Cavendish embarks on a journey to understand how different countries are responding to these unprecedented challenges.
Travelling across the world in a carefully researched and deeply human investigation, Cavendish contests many of the taboos around ageing. Interviewing leading scientists about breakthroughs that could soon transform the quality and extent of life, she sparks a debate about how governments, businesses, doctors, the media and each one of us should handle the second half of life. She argues that if we take a more positive approach, we should be able to reap the benefits of a prolonged life. But that will mean changing our attitudes andusing technology, community, even anti-ageing pills, to bring about a revolution.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 29, 2019
We are all going to liver longer and healthier. Cavendish spent time travelling the globe to find best practices, including Singapore! So a must read for Singaporeans.
The most important concept is to divide the old into the ‘young’ or healthy old, and the ‘old’ or unhealthy old. The age itself is not a good indicator of the division.
1. Birth rate is declining so there will be many more older people as compared to the young. The old social security system will become unsustainable, because there will be more people drawing out money than people putting in. So the young old should continue to work, teach, consult to pass on this know-how. BMW has found dramatic improvement in productivity after fitting its factories with help for its aging work force!
2. This will benefit the economy, and keep people healthy because they will be able to contribute to society. Meanwhile, silicon valley is conducting research to prolong life. Metformin, NMN, calorie restriction and exercise are all candidates. But the most important may yet be social connectedness; and that’s why working is good. Singapore has been praised for its Skills Future Credit where the government funds every citizen to learn new skills to adapt to the rapidly changing future.
3. In aging societies, there won’t be enough carers for the old at current prices. The Lack of recognition and low pay do not help either. So maybe robots and animals will help. The old can also live with college students with mutual benefits. Singapore is building retirement villages and multi-generation jumbo government housing again.
4. In some societies like Japan, the young with unstable part time job with low pay and no pension develops resentment of the old who they are supporting. The same is happening in the West; it’s notoriously difficult to cut benefits so it is going to the biggest challenge for this century. However one thing is certain: benefits will be given later, and less will be given
The most important concept is to divide the old into the ‘young’ or healthy old, and the ‘old’ or unhealthy old. The age itself is not a good indicator of the division.
1. Birth rate is declining so there will be many more older people as compared to the young. The old social security system will become unsustainable, because there will be more people drawing out money than people putting in. So the young old should continue to work, teach, consult to pass on this know-how. BMW has found dramatic improvement in productivity after fitting its factories with help for its aging work force!
2. This will benefit the economy, and keep people healthy because they will be able to contribute to society. Meanwhile, silicon valley is conducting research to prolong life. Metformin, NMN, calorie restriction and exercise are all candidates. But the most important may yet be social connectedness; and that’s why working is good. Singapore has been praised for its Skills Future Credit where the government funds every citizen to learn new skills to adapt to the rapidly changing future.
3. In aging societies, there won’t be enough carers for the old at current prices. The Lack of recognition and low pay do not help either. So maybe robots and animals will help. The old can also live with college students with mutual benefits. Singapore is building retirement villages and multi-generation jumbo government housing again.
4. In some societies like Japan, the young with unstable part time job with low pay and no pension develops resentment of the old who they are supporting. The same is happening in the West; it’s notoriously difficult to cut benefits so it is going to the biggest challenge for this century. However one thing is certain: benefits will be given later, and less will be given
June 20, 2020
How should we live longer better?
1) Acknowledge the new demographics: women are released from the tyranny of having to give birth, marriage rates are down, employment up and people live longer
2) You are younger than you think. Acknowledge the young-old vs old-old and extend middle age to somewhere in your 70s
3) Exercise and eat your broccoli
4) Keep working (the value pensioners bring to the economy in terms of childcare, tutoring, etc is vast and a accounted for!)
5) Exercise your brain. Neuroplasticity continues til death- old brains can learn new tricks
6) Be wealthy: then you can afford to throw money at Gene therapy and all those West coast inspired longevity supplements
7) Stay networked and have friends
8) Revolutionise healthcare - from hospital factories that treat an event to something more holistic and systemic, tech supported and financed fairly by all
9) Find your purpose and follow it (my mum is a great example of this)
10) Let's write a new social contract. Let's face it: childhood lasts until your 25 at today's prices and debt levels. We've got 4 generations working in the same teams. We need to change our thinking about age, share best practices with other countries, and start doing as we want to be done by. Today's inequalities do not bode well for living better longer: you still need to be better educated and wealthier to really benefit from all of the above. But it doesn't have to be, if we continue to chip away at the real problems.
1) Acknowledge the new demographics: women are released from the tyranny of having to give birth, marriage rates are down, employment up and people live longer
2) You are younger than you think. Acknowledge the young-old vs old-old and extend middle age to somewhere in your 70s
3) Exercise and eat your broccoli
4) Keep working (the value pensioners bring to the economy in terms of childcare, tutoring, etc is vast and a accounted for!)
5) Exercise your brain. Neuroplasticity continues til death- old brains can learn new tricks
6) Be wealthy: then you can afford to throw money at Gene therapy and all those West coast inspired longevity supplements
7) Stay networked and have friends
8) Revolutionise healthcare - from hospital factories that treat an event to something more holistic and systemic, tech supported and financed fairly by all
9) Find your purpose and follow it (my mum is a great example of this)
10) Let's write a new social contract. Let's face it: childhood lasts until your 25 at today's prices and debt levels. We've got 4 generations working in the same teams. We need to change our thinking about age, share best practices with other countries, and start doing as we want to be done by. Today's inequalities do not bode well for living better longer: you still need to be better educated and wealthier to really benefit from all of the above. But it doesn't have to be, if we continue to chip away at the real problems.
January 1, 2020
For someone just a month away from retiring himself, this book couldn't have come to my notice at a better time. It makes a strong case that good health and "middle" age both can and should continue as long as possible, regardless of retirement status.
The book has given me a number of ideas and tasks to think about as I begin retirement next month, and will quite possibly be highly influential in how my next few years work out.
The book has given me a number of ideas and tasks to think about as I begin retirement next month, and will quite possibly be highly influential in how my next few years work out.
August 18, 2019
As a Baby Boomer ,I found this book a very enjoyable and enlightening read.
It made me think of the extra time we all have if we look after ourselves.
It made me think of the extra time we all have if we look after ourselves.
April 10, 2020
A surprisingly good book I was lucky enough to stumble upon. It is a very necessary conversation considering the radical changes taking place in our population and their impacts on society.
Cavendish pointed out different stigmas against the word "old" itself, where they stem from as well as plausible approaches to, maybe, do our part for the generations that brought us here.
Cavendish pointed out different stigmas against the word "old" itself, where they stem from as well as plausible approaches to, maybe, do our part for the generations that brought us here.
July 4, 2020
Excellent read as can be seen by my five star. Maybe I enjoyed it because it is relevant to me at my age.
April 9, 2020
I rather liked this book. I have to admit that I like the author's journalism, which rather gave a head start to the book. I knew that it would be well written and well argued. It was. I knew that it would deal with an important topic in a fairly objective way. It did. I suspected that it would reinforce some of my thinking about an emerging future. I wasn't disappointed there. I found it to be an all round good read.
What is 'Extra Time'? In my work, I am revising the model of long term social futures. We used to think about the post-work period as 'Elderhood'. I am now calling that 'Independent Elderhood' and 'Dependent Elderhood'. This is starting to become a crucial distinction. The Independent Elders aren't 'old' in the sense that we used to view ageing. They have low levels of financial, social, and medical dependence. These are who the author calls the 'Young Old'. We used to think of ageing in terms of dependency, what the author calls 'Old Old'. Extra Time is that which is enjoyed by the 'Young Old' - what we style as Independent Elders.
After defining Extra Time, the book then goes on to consider two aspects of it. First, from an internal perspective, how can an Independent Elder lengthen their Extra Time? Second, what does society need to do to accommodate this Extra Time?
It comes as no surprise that diet and exercise feature as the keys to lengthening Extra Time. Leading a fairly active life and eating a fairly balanced diet are two of the key conclusions. Central to this is staying active, either by continuing to work or by taking on familiar responsibilities, or a combination of both. Many Independent Elders are doing this already. With a mix of part time work to supplement their pensions, combined with an element of day care for grandchildren, many are following this course of action.
The second question is a bit harder to answer. Different societies have adopted different approaches to answer the question. One thing they tend to have in common is the inflexibility of the institutional framework that works against solutions being found. Much revolves around property and the legal infrastructure, entrenched modes of public service delivery, and an unwillingness to give this matter a political priority. Events may overwhelm this. Western governments are putting off the day of reckoning, but the slow rind of demographics will bring things to a head at some point during this decade, as societies hit their moments of 'Peak Boomer'.
Much of the analysis is of little use to much of the world. European, North American, and some East Asian societies are experiencing the impact of ageing. The rest of the world isn't. These are definitely problems of the developed world and we need to be mindful of that focus. Admittedly, in financial terms, these are fairly important issues. However, in terms of headcount, they aren't.
Despite this caveat, I quite liked the book. It is well written and well argued. The pace moves along very well. It is informed and insightful and does take an academic approach to the questions addressed. Even if you disagree with all of the content, the book provides a good example of how to write a knowledgeable piece that is accessible to the general reader. As it happens, I agreed with much of the content, which is why I would recommend the book.
What is 'Extra Time'? In my work, I am revising the model of long term social futures. We used to think about the post-work period as 'Elderhood'. I am now calling that 'Independent Elderhood' and 'Dependent Elderhood'. This is starting to become a crucial distinction. The Independent Elders aren't 'old' in the sense that we used to view ageing. They have low levels of financial, social, and medical dependence. These are who the author calls the 'Young Old'. We used to think of ageing in terms of dependency, what the author calls 'Old Old'. Extra Time is that which is enjoyed by the 'Young Old' - what we style as Independent Elders.
After defining Extra Time, the book then goes on to consider two aspects of it. First, from an internal perspective, how can an Independent Elder lengthen their Extra Time? Second, what does society need to do to accommodate this Extra Time?
It comes as no surprise that diet and exercise feature as the keys to lengthening Extra Time. Leading a fairly active life and eating a fairly balanced diet are two of the key conclusions. Central to this is staying active, either by continuing to work or by taking on familiar responsibilities, or a combination of both. Many Independent Elders are doing this already. With a mix of part time work to supplement their pensions, combined with an element of day care for grandchildren, many are following this course of action.
The second question is a bit harder to answer. Different societies have adopted different approaches to answer the question. One thing they tend to have in common is the inflexibility of the institutional framework that works against solutions being found. Much revolves around property and the legal infrastructure, entrenched modes of public service delivery, and an unwillingness to give this matter a political priority. Events may overwhelm this. Western governments are putting off the day of reckoning, but the slow rind of demographics will bring things to a head at some point during this decade, as societies hit their moments of 'Peak Boomer'.
Much of the analysis is of little use to much of the world. European, North American, and some East Asian societies are experiencing the impact of ageing. The rest of the world isn't. These are definitely problems of the developed world and we need to be mindful of that focus. Admittedly, in financial terms, these are fairly important issues. However, in terms of headcount, they aren't.
Despite this caveat, I quite liked the book. It is well written and well argued. The pace moves along very well. It is informed and insightful and does take an academic approach to the questions addressed. Even if you disagree with all of the content, the book provides a good example of how to write a knowledgeable piece that is accessible to the general reader. As it happens, I agreed with much of the content, which is why I would recommend the book.
July 24, 2023
WOW, I will get this book out and read it again. It's a must for anyone who is ageing, doesn't want to go into a care home, or wants to live lightly on the earth. A well-researched non-fiction fact find about what it means to age in the 21st century.
Camilla is a professional journalist who has worked with the UK government. In this book, she explores ageing and what that actually looks like for the boomer generation and beyond.
She explores ikigai life purpose, retirement age, NHS, and the unfair stealing of pension funds by triple-locked pensioners from future generations.
Again the message is clear. If you want change, you can't expect the government, corporations or pension companies to change; you have to be the agent of your own change.
As you explore what it means to age, what middle age means and what you will do, this book gives you various choices. Depending on your health and life circumstances, some choices won't be as good as others. However, Cavendish (thanks to her position and jobs) gives us a wide range of ways the world deals with the baby boomer demographic.
The stereotype of the lonely, bored pensioner drifting into senility is a myth. How you choose to spend your extra time is up to you before you consider what that might look like-READ THIS BOOK. Well-researched, balanced and full of science and modern humanities, it is illuminating and entertaining. We have choices on how we behave. I've often noted that my dislike of the cruise ship, coffee-drinking early retirees is similar to millennials. This book has shown me why and now I have a blueprint to help them help our planet. It's all about community, which is one of the ways we can live longer and have more fulfilling lives in our old age. This is one of the guidebooks we will need a we navigate the new world created by climate change. This is a must-read for everyone and a GREAT BOOK for anyone who is wrestling with retirement ages. A definite forever book.
Camilla is a professional journalist who has worked with the UK government. In this book, she explores ageing and what that actually looks like for the boomer generation and beyond.
She explores ikigai life purpose, retirement age, NHS, and the unfair stealing of pension funds by triple-locked pensioners from future generations.
Again the message is clear. If you want change, you can't expect the government, corporations or pension companies to change; you have to be the agent of your own change.
As you explore what it means to age, what middle age means and what you will do, this book gives you various choices. Depending on your health and life circumstances, some choices won't be as good as others. However, Cavendish (thanks to her position and jobs) gives us a wide range of ways the world deals with the baby boomer demographic.
The stereotype of the lonely, bored pensioner drifting into senility is a myth. How you choose to spend your extra time is up to you before you consider what that might look like-READ THIS BOOK. Well-researched, balanced and full of science and modern humanities, it is illuminating and entertaining. We have choices on how we behave. I've often noted that my dislike of the cruise ship, coffee-drinking early retirees is similar to millennials. This book has shown me why and now I have a blueprint to help them help our planet. It's all about community, which is one of the ways we can live longer and have more fulfilling lives in our old age. This is one of the guidebooks we will need a we navigate the new world created by climate change. This is a must-read for everyone and a GREAT BOOK for anyone who is wrestling with retirement ages. A definite forever book.
February 8, 2023
Clear and cogent analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing our ageing population—how to keep healthy, avoid the financial black hole that looms due to the demographic bulge, and generally reinvent the last act of life for longer, fulfilling lifespans. The new anti-ageing drugs sound exciting and are almost here. Our gut biomes will soon be fine-tuned for optimal health. And already there are small flickers of inventiveness in countries like Denmark and Holland, vis a vis new styles of accommodation for elderly residents needing care, and new ways of keeping them connected with other generations—critical. We tend to silo the elderly, and that has to stop.
Cavendish is a journalist, of course, and these chapters may have been a series of articles at one point, so deftly do they cover all the bases. I don't see any of this starting to take root in Britain, is all. Which is faintly depressing. Why aren't we better at getting on with things? Anyway, it's a thought-provoking read if you want to engage with changing society to meet the demands of the 'extra time', and there are even ideas for how to volunteer.
Cavendish is a journalist, of course, and these chapters may have been a series of articles at one point, so deftly do they cover all the bases. I don't see any of this starting to take root in Britain, is all. Which is faintly depressing. Why aren't we better at getting on with things? Anyway, it's a thought-provoking read if you want to engage with changing society to meet the demands of the 'extra time', and there are even ideas for how to volunteer.
October 9, 2020
This is excellent, worth more than 5 stars. It is very optimistic and fits my observations. We have the young old, an active bunch, doing a lot for society and their families and you don't really start having problems until you reach roughly 79 and many of these are resolvable but your pace I guess is slower. But you get lumped together as all old. I said to my son, how would you like to be socially grouped with people up to 30 years older than you? But this is the kind of purdah we put people into. She has some innovative other country solutions to our problems of care and isolation that made me think, if only. And I agree about going on working and she knows how difficult jobs are for people of all ages. Some way of promoting part time work for all would be very helpful in this respect. Another, if only. It is very well researched and practical and would be a useful reference for activists.
June 28, 2022
Uma agrad��vel surpresa. Um livro atual que faz um apanhado das questões que nos atormentam e entusiasmam por conseguirmos hoje viver mais anos, sem nos levar ao fatalismo de que estamos todos feitos ao bife.
Não aprofunda muito os temas, mas aborda o essencial, permitindo ter um bocadinho de cada coisa e promovendo uma reflexão sobre o que precisamos de fazer e mudar na nossa sociedade para vivermos mais tempo, saudáveis, livres e felizes.
“Afinal de contas, quem quer lidar com o declínio? Mas os melhores geriatras fazem maravilhas ao administrar esperança, não pessimismo, e ao verem o doente como uma pessoa inteira, não como um joelho ou uma anca problemáticos. Essas são as pessoas de quem precisamos para nos ajudar a mudar os cuidados de saúde com o objetivo de nos mantermos saudáveis, não apenas para tratar a doença.”
Não aprofunda muito os temas, mas aborda o essencial, permitindo ter um bocadinho de cada coisa e promovendo uma reflexão sobre o que precisamos de fazer e mudar na nossa sociedade para vivermos mais tempo, saudáveis, livres e felizes.
“Afinal de contas, quem quer lidar com o declínio? Mas os melhores geriatras fazem maravilhas ao administrar esperança, não pessimismo, e ao verem o doente como uma pessoa inteira, não como um joelho ou uma anca problemáticos. Essas são as pessoas de quem precisamos para nos ajudar a mudar os cuidados de saúde com o objetivo de nos mantermos saudáveis, não apenas para tratar a doença.”
February 25, 2023
This book is based on one side of a difficult topic, ageing. The author takes the view that ageing doesn't matter as much as society believes and that older people remain highly capable, and in some cases more capable that younger people. The pushing of this view gets boring very quickly and the author does not present any counter to this, not showing the obvious decline in ability that comes with age.
The intended audience for this book is clearly older readers, that want comfort, and to be told that age doesn't matter. The book has some good points covered but due to the journalistic writing style nothing actually gets said, just lots of bla bla bla.
Not worth reading.
The intended audience for this book is clearly older readers, that want comfort, and to be told that age doesn't matter. The book has some good points covered but due to the journalistic writing style nothing actually gets said, just lots of bla bla bla.
Not worth reading.
August 24, 2020
Well worth reading. Camilla Cavendish's research helps us understand how one's chronological age does not tell the whole story by any means. Prompts some reflection on what we are headed. i.e. Old age is not getting longer, rather middle age is expanding into a category called the Young-Old. This book dovetails well with The Blue Zones. (highly recommended)
March 31, 2023
Brilliantly written with shocking tough facts! An eye-opener for complacent younger generations, revealing the new retirement era on how to live to our fullest with better health and mind. The authors show us the possibility of a better world with feasible approaches that are already in practice and the ideas should be popularised! The best time to plant a tree is NOW!
February 22, 2020
Informative. A huge amount of research done and presented in an easy-reading way.
We are not only getting older/ living for more years than previously, but we are also having a longer mid-life period - more active and involved in living to the best of our ability.
We are not only getting older/ living for more years than previously, but we are also having a longer mid-life period - more active and involved in living to the best of our ability.
October 15, 2023
Well written nonfiction book that encourages the "young old" population to choose their best life. Choose to be active, choose to have a purpose, choose to be connected, and choose to enjoy life's options.
July 30, 2019
Great view on why getting older is no longer relevant to many of us. We keep on going.
November 27, 2019
A book that everyone should read. Luckily it's very well written so a pleasure as well as a necessity. It inspired me to think differently about my ageing and society's.
September 27, 2020
Cogent argument for ikigai: why older folk need a reason to live, and to live comfortably. 2020 may cause a hiccup but the chapter on social care is essential reading.
November 29, 2020
Non-conclusive, it only has some good insights in just two chapters. The author generalizes and concludes based on very superficial examples and small research.
December 17, 2020
Lots of interesting ideas and anecdotes
December 20, 2020
Interesting research about how to slow down the aging process and keep our brains active and healthy. Great conversation starters.
January 14, 2021
An positive uplifting look at ageing in different societies and how to live your extra years to the fullest.
July 27, 2022
A must read.
November 12, 2022
Beautiful writing and interesting perspective of “aging”.
August 22, 2023
Halfway through before book was due for return. Interesting well rounded perspective. Especially like the chapter on brain neurons. Will pick it up again.
January 20, 2024
one of those books that should be required reading. well written and well researched. cannot recommend highly enough.
July 31, 2019
Excellent read for anyone hoping to live till they are 90 or so. Summarises very well the state of play of what it means now to be "old" and how to live a full life - not just for the individual but also for society.
In Japan they divide the elderly into the "young-old" and the "old-old". The old-old are basically those who cannot leave their homes or move around without assistance for most things. The young-old, defined as someone aged 60 upwards, is one who can still do anything - work, exercise, move around etc - as well as they have ever done, if not better. For example, there are people in Okinawa, parts of Europe etc who live very active lives well into their 80s and even 90s, still "young-old".
The trick for all of us, and hence society and governments, is extending that part of young-old life.
This book is not a how-to, but shares so much information into what is ahead for mankind in terms of ageing. You can easily work out for yourself what needs to be done, with the obvious actions being eating well, exercise, constant learning, and sharing and contributing.
In Japan they divide the elderly into the "young-old" and the "old-old". The old-old are basically those who cannot leave their homes or move around without assistance for most things. The young-old, defined as someone aged 60 upwards, is one who can still do anything - work, exercise, move around etc - as well as they have ever done, if not better. For example, there are people in Okinawa, parts of Europe etc who live very active lives well into their 80s and even 90s, still "young-old".
The trick for all of us, and hence society and governments, is extending that part of young-old life.
This book is not a how-to, but shares so much information into what is ahead for mankind in terms of ageing. You can easily work out for yourself what needs to be done, with the obvious actions being eating well, exercise, constant learning, and sharing and contributing.
May 12, 2023
This book covers some of the crucial issues that societies and individuals will have to grapple with as a result of the demographic changes brought about by ageing. In ten succinct chapters, Cavendish addresses the demographic revolution itself (Chapter 1), how we need to redefine the stages of our lives (Chapter 2), how ageing need not condemn us to physical decline and the important of physical exercise and diet (Chapter 3), changing our idea of retirement both as individuals and as a society (Chapter 4), the need to keep mentally active (Chapter 5), the science of anti-ageing medicine (Chapter 6), new frameworks for caring for the elderly (Chapter 7 & 8), the need to retain purpose and meaning (Chapter 9) and how demographic change will require a new social contract in most societies (Chapter 10).
The book is an excellent introduction to each of the issues - Cavendish has a real knack for summarizing ideas in a succinct and clear manner (a legacy of her career as a senior civil servant perhaps). She brings in a wealth of fascinating examples from a Dutch model of careers to Singapore's skills future initiative catering the need to change our mindsets towards learning and retirement. If anything I wish each chapter was longer, and examined the respective issues more deeply - especially since I was already familiar with many of the issues here - but that wasn't the purpose of the book.
Essential reading for those who want to understand the implications of ageing populations.
The book is an excellent introduction to each of the issues - Cavendish has a real knack for summarizing ideas in a succinct and clear manner (a legacy of her career as a senior civil servant perhaps). She brings in a wealth of fascinating examples from a Dutch model of careers to Singapore's skills future initiative catering the need to change our mindsets towards learning and retirement. If anything I wish each chapter was longer, and examined the respective issues more deeply - especially since I was already familiar with many of the issues here - but that wasn't the purpose of the book.
Essential reading for those who want to understand the implications of ageing populations.
December 12, 2020
I have read two other good books on similar theme (A Long Bright Future by Prof Laura Carstensen of Stanford Center on Longevity, and The Longevity Economy by Joe Coughlin of MIT AgeLab), but I found Camilla's writing more compact, readable and insightful (her journalistic background and government policy experience clearly show).
A key insight from her book is the under-recognized potential of the new Young Old (those reaching/over the outdated retirement age of 60-65 but younger than the Old Old (> 80years)), who are (mostly) still healthy and productive - the Extra Time that is not fully tapped. As one of the Young Old myself, I could relate very much to a lot of the things that she is talking about.
Given our longer expected lifespan, Camilla reminds us of the importance of pro-active financial planning for retirement, and for pursuing activities that extend our health-span and legacy
A key insight from her book is the under-recognized potential of the new Young Old (those reaching/over the outdated retirement age of 60-65 but younger than the Old Old (> 80years)), who are (mostly) still healthy and productive - the Extra Time that is not fully tapped. As one of the Young Old myself, I could relate very much to a lot of the things that she is talking about.
Given our longer expected lifespan, Camilla reminds us of the importance of pro-active financial planning for retirement, and for pursuing activities that extend our health-span and legacy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews