Much of the discussion we had here about a month ago about this book and the concept of "successful aging" -- whether Levitin's definition or those of others -- is likely to follow the same path as what might be said today. We seem to be walking a labyrinth while meditating on the philosophy of aging rather than learning helpful new information. Levitin is a neuroscientist and yet he seems to offer little or nothing of real value to the conversation, but seems more focused on selling his book. A strong positive correlation between sleep and Alzheimer's? I doubt it very much, but that may just be because I've not seen any solid research which seems to support the validity and reliability of that theory. Most sleep deprivation research with which I'm familiar indicates that it leads to a psychosis which can be reversed when sleep is restored. Sadly, that is not the case with dementia.

Once again I toss out Thornton Wilder's sage words: "My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."

I ran into a former colleague doing gymnastics at the local gym. He's now 72 or so. He said he's trying to "beat aging." What I assumes he means is not the obvious solution--dying pretty much puts a stop to aging--but that he wants to stay fit and healthy and physically and mentally active as long as possible. I suppose that's what most people mean by "successful aging"--those things, and being, as Nana Royer said, mostly satisfied with our life.

But maintaining all that is a function of so many things: the genes we're born with, the gifts we're given (or not): intellectual, physical, personality, looks. And the times we're born into and live through. And dumb luck. A lot of these things are simply out of our control, although some people have the wherewithal to get them under control (see personality).

Maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health is a challenge all through our lives. We're lucky to be the first people to have to figure it out at this stage of life. But, yeah, calling it something different - some variation of "Be the Best You Can Be in Your Elder Years"? I agree with you, Ronni - I suspect the term "successful aging" is annoying because it's a sloppy bit of writing.

I have been trying to live as Cathy wrote, enjoying this very moment while I have it, whether there is ice cream on the table or not.

I have always been looking to the future; my entire life was built on what I would be doing in the future. I have stopped that for now. Just this moment, that's all I'm considering. Will that type of living be as successful as my planning the future to the inth degree? We'll see.

Well, I think neuroscientists gonna do neuroscience and that means write a book or two. Pretty cynical of me, I know. I appreciate the other comments but ultimately feel that the author is selling FEAR. By labeling something “successful” the implication is that there is also a category of “unsuccessful”. And who wants that? Maybe reading a book will get a few folks to go on a diet or get some exercise and that is to the good credit of the author.

Being in the moment and finding satisfaction in that. At age 73 now, that's my definition of successful aging.

I think that I will go and finish my ice cream before it all melts into the maple syrup.

Shoot, all this reading about how we're supposed to be and do, I'm sure a lot of it's well intended, but it's using up our time! All these exercises, skin brushing (?), the right hair style, whew, I'd never catch up! Oh, yes, and never, ever leave the shower just having enjoyed yourself, NO! Turn on the cold water and aim it at your heart! Yep, heard that one too. I'm just getting to the place of being okay with whatever anybody thinks about my aging . Nobody has yet told me to spend some time here and there singing a made up song to my soul, but I like doing that, certainly more than turning the cold water on my chest. I like shedding tears of joy or gratitude, is there a book on that? I guess they like meditating now, so I'm okay there, except I'm sure they have some slant on it they want me to know. I think if we just listen to ourselves with love and compassion, we're all gonna be just fine.

That word "success" is overused and ill-defined. I think this competitively oriented culture has oozed into everything. In most instances anyone not in their 60's yet banging on about how to age is a snooze to me and sometime irritant. Mostly what I've learned about aging is to meet changes with new ways of doing things and to welcome the freedom from many things that I thought I "had" to do. My right hand is arthritic; I can type but don't dare carry a hot pan with it. I've found my left hand is much more talented than I realized. COPD has forced me to go slow after a lifetime of going full-out. While I don't like having that I am finding I enjoy viewing life around me as I'm now not rushing by it. So far I'm still alive and on my feet. Success!

If you trace all the twists and turns of life. aren't a lot of them due to plain old luck?

I thought being young was the hard part of life. Luckily, aging has been easier.

Even as a very old lady my aging problems are manageable. I feel pretty lucky.

Susan R. basically said what my first thoughts were, that successful aging is staying alive! The quality of that life is a whole different topic with some expected features likely common to all of us — having food, clothing and shelter. Other items become a matter of personal preferences.

I do take your point about wanting to know what constitutes unsuccessful aging. Is it not having food, clothing, shelter which probably brings us close to death ultimately? Are the homeless unsuccessfully aging? Some say they choose to stay homeless, refusing offered housing. They come in all ages.

What are the criteria for being successful at all those younger ages?

Right from the get go we are exhorted by this culture to be successful. In youth that means good grades in school and a degree upon leaving; in young adulthood it means a good job, a good income, a good family, and savings to finance a good retirement. And upon retirement what’s left? Good aging? Good death? My middle-aged son is suffering from depression and anxiety from not being on track with all those markers of success and I am trying to coach him into looking at “success” as not all it’s cracked up to be. Count the blessings, endure the bad stuff, be grateful for sunsets and the coming of yet another springtime.

I have always said that success is simply measured. Success in our early years often meant things like having a bigger boat, lots of money in the bank, the biggest car, the most attractive spouse! Imagine those of us in our 70s saying those things are just as important now when success is measured as they were then.

I learned long, long ago there is always someone with a bigger boat, more money, and they were thought to be more successful. It's never been true.

Measuring success is as simple now as it was then. Think of a football field as the width and breadth of your life's work. Now think of the goal post at the end of the field.

No one can achieve reaching that goal without a set of enabling objectives and tasks. Life's problems are, "How can I 'successfully achieve' them? How do I measure whether I really have?"

Success is simple. Once you begin accomplishing those tasks, as few as they maybe - you are a measured success!

Set your goal(s). Now decide how you are going to do to get there (enabling objectives and tasks). Start achieving! You'll soon be a success - and find out you always have been a successful person! (You'll soon realize success itself is in your mind. No one can say you are or are not. Think about achieving and do it.)

It's simple . . .