We’ve all seen it happen: An older friend or family member retires, is diagnosed with a serious illness, or loses a spouse. Suddenly, this individual’s world is altered, sometimes beyond recognition. He has reached a fork in the road; will he get stuck or find a way to regroup and move on?
In a new book, “The End of Old Age,” Dr. Marc Agronin, a geriatric psychiatrist, calls this moment an “age point”—an event that disrupts an older person’s life and challenges the person’s ability to cope while also offering the potential for new growth.
Judith Graham
Author
Judith Graham is a contributing columnist for Kaiser Health News, which originally published this article. KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation.
