A typically pessimistic view of aging is that it leads to a steady decline in physical and mental abilities. In this volume leading gerontologists and geriatric researchers explore the immense potential of older adults to overcome the challenges of old age and pursue active lives with renewed vitality. The contributors believe that resilience capacities diminishing with old age is a misconception and argue that individuals may successfully capitalize on their existing resources, skills and cognitive processes in order to achieve new learning, continuing growth, and enhanced life-satisfaction. By identifying useful psychological resources such as social connectedness, personal engagement and commitment, openness to new experiences, social support and sustained cognitive activity, the authors present a balanced picture of resilient aging. Older adults, while coping with adversity and losses, can be helped to maintain a complementary focus on psychological strengths, positive emotions, and regenerative capacities to achieve continued growth and healthy longevity.

‘Resilience is not just for the young. Indeed, the challenges of getting older present many opportunities for developing resilience and bouncing back stronger than before. The authors of this fine volume show us, in many different ways, that old age need not be a relentless downward slide. Growing old (with the emphasis on growing) can be exciting, creative and fun!'

Rob Ranzijn - University of South Australia

‘This book will be cited far and wide as reflecting a turning point in how to view aging from progressive, enlightened ways, all supported by excellent scholarship. It will be invaluable for a wide audience that includes scientists who study aging, educators, administrators, practitioners and those drafting well informed social policy.'

David Reid - York University, Toronto

‘This is an important book on an important topic, at just the right time. Resilience, the ability to recover after stressful life events, has been long studied among children but neglected by gerontologists. Now we have a summary of what has already been done and an invitation to do more.’

Robert L. Kahn - University of Michigan

‘This extremely comprehensive literature review elaborates a well established concept and puts it into a completely new light. A must buy book for all who are convinced that resilience and human strengths are the key to productive and equitable aging societies.’

Christoph Rott - Heidelberg University

'We recommend New Frontiers in Resilient Aging for those interested in issues related to policy analysis and medical and social work practice in later adulthood as well as to those interested more generally in adult and/or life-span development … this volume provides a valid and impressive foray into relatively uncharted territory, namely, resilience in later adulthood.'

Source: PsycCRITIQUES