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If Not Now, When?: Living the Baby Boomer Adventure
TV personality, founder of Childline, writer and broadcaster, Esther Rantzen has spent her life tirelessly campaigning on behalf of children and mental health sufferers. In this personal and anecdotal handbook, she turns her attention to the baby boomer and shows how, ultimately, reaching your fifties and beyond is just the beginning. Starting from her own experiences whether it be her childhood, the death of her husband, her battle with prejudice against women in the media, laughter and the love of friends, irritations with brainless ageism, the importance of travel, sex and good health all is of huge relevance and will give the fifty-something-plus-year-old a huge jolt of recognition, or a shocked gasp, or a laugh. Interspersed with practical advice and the occasional nostalgic rant, this is a fun celebration and an inspiration for the nations 17 million baby boomers.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2008
145 people want to read
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June 11, 2014
I remembered Esther from 'That's Life!' a TV consumer affairs series and took a look.
She's gone fairly thoroughly into the state of elder care and nursing homes in Britain. Selling your house and taking the proceeds will be the first step the government takes. So you can't go home again. Your family won't get the benefit of your hard work. And people in the same nursing home, getting the same care, will not be paying a penny, because they never saved and never bought a house.
While Esther doesn't say so explicitly, she hints that spending your money before the government takes it might be the way to go. She and her family went on a dream holiday to Africa and one year later her husband was dead. Now they have all the great memories and they know he enjoyed that experience.
There are so many ways older people can be part of the community and through computers, connect with other people. If you've ever wanted to learn an instrument, start a project, record your family's history, join amateur dramatics, write a book - start now. If not now, when? When you are older it may be too late. Health issues crop up suddenly and with greater severity the older you are. Mobility and sight may suddenly become problems. And when you are ninety-three, Nurse won't let you.
I read this book with my mother in mind and even as I was reading I was learning good lessons for her future and for mine. Thanks, Esther.
She's gone fairly thoroughly into the state of elder care and nursing homes in Britain. Selling your house and taking the proceeds will be the first step the government takes. So you can't go home again. Your family won't get the benefit of your hard work. And people in the same nursing home, getting the same care, will not be paying a penny, because they never saved and never bought a house.
While Esther doesn't say so explicitly, she hints that spending your money before the government takes it might be the way to go. She and her family went on a dream holiday to Africa and one year later her husband was dead. Now they have all the great memories and they know he enjoyed that experience.
There are so many ways older people can be part of the community and through computers, connect with other people. If you've ever wanted to learn an instrument, start a project, record your family's history, join amateur dramatics, write a book - start now. If not now, when? When you are older it may be too late. Health issues crop up suddenly and with greater severity the older you are. Mobility and sight may suddenly become problems. And when you are ninety-three, Nurse won't let you.
I read this book with my mother in mind and even as I was reading I was learning good lessons for her future and for mine. Thanks, Esther.
Displaying 1 of 1 review