Ageing Disgracefully, with Grace

It is a privilege to be invited to commend Mike Lowisș book Ageing Disgracefully, with Grace, since in it he is addressing a subject of vital importance as more of us live longer. What is more, as length of days increases a majority can look forward to enhanced Șhealthy life expectancy,ș whereby we are less likely to be debilitated by chronic degenerative health problems as early as our forebears were, and might reasonably expect to be able to enjoy many aspects of life very fully into ripe old age. The down side to this global increase in healthy life expectancy is that many will have to work longer before benefiting from pension rights. But, by the same token, society is having to re-evaluate the contribution its older citizens can and should make, and can no longer assign people who still have much to offer to the scrap heap of old age.

This book celebrates these positive aspects of ageing in a way that accords with my own philosophy. As an Occupational Physician it has been my role to enable working people to maximize their potential in the work place. At times, however, the therapeutic role has been to promote a healthy work-life balance. As people are asked to work longer, they need to develop a mature approach to achieving such a balance and preserving their health and well-being into retirement. Dr. Lowis provides evidence about how recreational activity can help in this process and, as a choral singer, I wholeheartedly endorse his emphasis on the essential and universal role of music.

Many people that I have met who have come through potentially life-limiting illness adopt a very different perspective on life, and focus much more on what things really matter to them. In his consideration of biblical teaching and the role of religious faith, Dr. Lowis touches on the experience of people of faith that there is more to life than the relentless pursuit of materialistic reward, and in this regard, they share much in common with those who have survived serious illness or injury. I know from work as a Christian Lay Minister that, whether seeking fulfillment in this life or the next, faith communities have a great deal to offer, and the older person can both bring accumulated wisdom and draw inestimable gifts such as companionship from such groups. Here is grace indeed!

I could not conclude without concurring with Dr. Lowisș healthy approach to the role of humor. As we become older and gradually lose our faculties, it will help us if we can laugh at our growing infirmities, and so put those around us at their ease.
Dr. Lowis makes excellent use of his experience as a scientist, psychologist, musician and theologian in constructing this book. But perhaps more than anything else he brings a life full of varied experiences and wisdom to bear, and his growing list of publications should give encouragement to anyone seeking new challenges and fulfillment later in life.

I recently went to a street fair where there were some really scary rides. I was slightly offended at one sign, which forbade people who were pregnant or suffering from heart disease ȓ or were just Ȝoldȝ ȓ from sitting astride a Ȝbucking bronco.ȝ I challenged the attendant to define Ȝold.ȝ He took one look at me and said, I trust jokingly, Ȝlike you!ȝ; but I could not help thinking that, even as he said it, he was reflecting that, if I had decided to take a risk with my dodgy vestibular apparatus and excitable heart and insisted on mounting the ride, he could not really have been justified in stopping me!

Dr. David Major
Specialist Occupational Physician and Licensed Lay Reader

12th November 215