The Second Fifty is a book that explains how to age and live well. The author offers great information and insight especially how things like education, racial inequalities, and even sex hormones can affect longevity and healthy living. There’s so much more the United States could be doing to better support the aging community and ensure a quality of life for all. I found all of the information very interesting and found myself being introspective on where I would fit into this research. This isn’t a light book about aging gracefully. Instead, those who appreciate research and statistics will reach for this one.

The Second Fifty: Answers to the Big 7 Questions of Midlife and Beyond
Debra Whitman, PhD
September 10, 2024
W.W. Norton & Company

Ever wonder if the highest level of education you attain and the cardiac health of your parents influence your lifespan? What about the neighborhood where you grew up, your race, and your gender impact your potential for longer, healthier years?

Debra Whitman is AARP's Chief Public Policy Officer, an aging expert, and an economist. A former staff director for the nonpartisan U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, her statistics, policy, and communications skills are stellar. (Swoon-worthy!)

In “The Second Fifty: Answers to the Big 7 Questions of Midlife and Beyond,” Whitman presents a nuanced and well-researched guide to assuage the anxiety and curiosity of many aging adults, their loved ones, and caregivers.

Top questions also correlate to chapters, including:

How will I die?

Will I be healthy?

Where will I live?

Whitman highlights that 2020 was the first year in which more Medicaid dollars went to home and community-based services than to nursing homes. This follows the recent statistical trend of “aging in place,” where older adults continue to age where they already live.

Multigenerational household living is also increasing, in which two or more generations of family members pool their resources (money, time, and care) to provide what they are less able to do in separate living arrangements.

For readers of nonfiction on aging, health and wellness, current events, gerontology, economics (and more), “The Second Fifty” is not a doom-and-gloom tome, like so much aging news most days. Whitman offers a glorious and much-needed perspective on the continuing contributions of people over fifty, whether dementia statistics are increasing (they might surprise you), and how to set yourself up for “a better second fifty!”

Thank you to Debra Whitman, W.W. Norton & Company, and NetGalley for the eArc.

Debra Whitman's "The Second Fifty" offers a compelling and comprehensive guide to navigating life after 50, drawing from her experience as AARP's chief public policy officer and former staff director for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The book addresses eight crucial questions about longevity, health, work, finances, housing, and end-of-life considerations. This organization allows readers to easily focus on areas most relevant to their current situation, making the book both accessible and practical.

What sets "The Second Fifty" apart from other retirement-focused books is its holistic approach. While many similar works primarily emphasize financial planning, Whitman broadens the scope to include often overlooked aspects such as housing choices, work considerations, and death preparation. This comprehensive view provides readers with a more complete picture of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Whitman's writing style is engaging and relatable, blending personal stories from across the country with groundbreaking research and policy insights. This combination of anecdotal evidence and hard data creates a well-rounded exploration of each topic. The author not only identifies challenges but also offers practical advice and potential solutions, making this book both informative and actionable.

One of the book's strengths is its focus on societal inequalities, highlighting key disparities between white and Black/Hispanic populations, as well as between rich and poor. This attention to social issues adds depth to the discussion and emphasizes the need for broader societal changes to support an aging population.

For readers approaching retirement or already in their later years, "The Second Fifty" serves as an invaluable resource. It prompts important self-reflection and planning, while also advocating for community and policy changes that could benefit all in their later years.

A big thank you to WW Norton and Company and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Second Fifty by Debra Whitman is a treasure trove of ideas, advice, data, and insights into the challenges, barriers and opportunities for the second half of life. This was an informative read with several helpful takeaways. Excellent read for those of us in the second half of life.