With a Little Help from Our Friends

Creating Community as We Grow Older

By: Beth Baker

Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this book, an award-winning journalist tells the story of people devising innovative ways to live as they approach retirement, options that ensure they are surrounded by a circle of friends, family, and neighbors. Based on visits and interviews at many communities around the country, Beth Baker weaves a rich tapestry of grassroots alternatives, some of them surprisingly affordable: a mobile home cooperative in small-town Oregon, a senior artists colony in Los Angeles, neighbors helping neighbors in "villages" or "naturally occurring retirement communities," intentional co-housing communities, best friends moving in together, multi-generational families that balance togetherness and privacy, and niche communities including such diverse groups as retired postal workers, gays and lesbians, and Zen Buddhists, Drawing on new research showing the importance of social support to healthy aging and the risks associated with loneliness and isolation, the author encourages the reader to plan for a future with strong connections. Baker explores whether individuals in declining health can really stay rooted in their communities through the end of life and concludes by examining the challenge of expanding the home-care workforce and the potential of new technologies like webcams and assistive robots.

The book is published by Vanderbilt University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"The audience for this must-read book is baby boomers - and everyone else." (Library Journal)

"A well-informed, thoughtful, intelligent, and insightful analysis of why all of us should not be afraid to look forward into our future..." (PsycCRITIQUES, American Psychological Association)

"Every Baby Boomer who wants to 'age in place' should read this book. So should their children." (Howard Gleckman, author of Caring for Our Parents, resident fellow, the Urban Institute)

©2014 Beth Baker (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks

With a little help

I loved this book!It was not what I thought it would be about.I thought it was about finding my 'tribe',since I don't have one.Anyway it was very timely and interesteing to understand the different types of senior care out there.My in laws are now facing thee decisions.Actually we are facing them for them.Sadly the wonderful options mentioned in this guide do not exist here.I do have time to look.Narration by Lee Ann Howlett was perfect. was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Great Advice, Much Needed Guidance

Isolation is, perhaps, the plague that will harm older folks more frequently and more deeply than arthritis, hypertension or cancer. Social bonds and interactions are the sure-fire remedies. And, no possibility of adverse side effects. Too many of us spend our 'golden years' alone and out of touch. Just the heightened awareness of this unseen distress can help. This book is a wonderful guide.

Lee Ann Howlett does an excellent job with this material. Her narration is clear and easy to follow. Her tone and pace are perfectly in step with the content presented. Great job!

I needed a little help sticking with this....

Sorry, but this was just not for me. I couldn't engage, at all and finally gave up on listening. I am so sorry...."I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review."