Getting ready for our second fifty. 

Turning 50 is a milestone birthday; a time to celebrateand reflect. Debra Whitman, PhD and EVP and Chief Public Policy Officer for AARP used her own 50th birthday to research aging in American society. Her book, "The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond" explores her questions related to longevity, health, work life, happiness, finances, housing, and the end of life. 

Each chapter focuses on one topic.You could read the entire book or select a few chapters for the most personally relevant information. After reading the book and meeting Dr. Whitman at the Maine Geriatric Conference, I came away with three main themes from her book. 

First, our choices matter. Our choices related to eating healthy foods, exercising, challenging our brains, and making connections are important predictors of longevity and health. There is a strong relationship between levels of education and longevity, wellness, housing, and sufficient resources to live. Education in the skilled trades or college programstends to increase overall incomes creating more access to health care, healthy food, and safe housing.  

Secondly, retirement requires planning. Historically, economists have compared retirement savings to a three-legged stool with Social Security, pensions, and savings creating the three legs. With fewer traditional pensions and increased costs making savings harder, many people are left with only Social Security for their incomes. State managed programs like the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT, https://meritsaves.org), are instrumental in helping individuals save for retirement. Dr. Whitman stresses the importance of creating retirement savings opportunities. It is never too late to start saving. The more we save, the more options we will have as we age.

Lastly, Dr. Whitman recognizes the impact of public policies in our lives. Public health initiatives have had demonstrable positive effects over the decades. Medical advances have decreased childhood mortality and increased life expectancy. Regulations related to clean water, food safety, and reducing environmental toxins have improved our longevity and overall health. How we address current public issues related to housing, transportation, and maintaining local health care will impactour choices going forward.  

"The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond" is a practical handbook filled with current information and suggestions for navigating aging. I would recommend reading this book for anyone no matter if they are in their first or second 50.   

Please use the attached QR Code or web address to find more information about AARP Maine and events near you: aarp.org/me · me@aarp.org · @aarpmaine · 866-554-5380.

Joyce Bucciantini is a retired middle school educator. She currently coordinates Delta Kappa Gamma’s Read to Me program, is a tutor with Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, and is an active AARP Maine volunteer. She enjoys her gardens, being outdoors and traveling.