People over the age of 75 years have lived through times of great deprivation, including wars and the Great Depression. They learned early in life not to complain and to do without. This generation learned to be resilient, what the author of this book describes as one's ability to bounce back from adversity in a way that maintains individual biological and psychological equilibrium. In contrast, those approaching old age now, the Baby Boomer generation, have lived a rather affluent and peaceful life. Dr Helen Lavretsky argues that Baby Boomers may be lacking in resilience and therefore more vulnerable to stress- and age-related chronic diseases.

In Resilience and Aging, Dr Lavretsky discusses the interrelatedness of neurobiological, psychological, social, cultural, religious, and spiritual dimensions of resilience. She describes how care, practice, and research can be redirected toward emphasizing the positive aspects of aging and chronic disease prevention, drawing upon case studies from her own practice. Designed for clinicians, researchers and caregivers, this comprehensive book includes chapters on measuring resilience and how to incorporate resilience-building strategies into clinical practice or everyday life. Resilience-promoting interventions range from psychotherapeutic approaches, such as hardiness training, to lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to complementary/alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and meditation. Dr Lavretsky's practical approach to the topic of resilience ultimately aims to help older adults maximize their personal happiness and quality of life.