It was about a month or so ago that I first came across Jo Ann Jenkins' recently-published, already best selling book, Disrupt Aging. At the time, it struck me as somewhat... disingenuous, although I coundn't pinpoint why. In reconnecting with it last night, what bugged me finally clicked - the tone & topics strike me as being rooted in unconscious privilege. It targets the wealthy & well-off.
Just consider some of the key sections:
- Taking Control of Your Health
- Choosing Where You Live
- Making Your Money Last
- Putting Your Experience to Work
What if, through no fault of your own, you are in poor health? Lost your nest egg back in '08, weren't able to rebuild let alone recoup your vanished life savings? Can't afford to chose between living independently in your own home or moving into a pleasant assisted living facility? Lost your job due to downsizing & considered unemployable because you're over forty?
It seems to me that the best sort of book about how to counter our country's toxic culture around aging would look at what EVERYONE can glean from a more wholehearted approach to aging, whatever our economic demographic, health or bank account.
Money in the bank, a clean bill of health from our doctor, great digs & satisfying work do not necessarily combine to make for a rich eldering.
Small wonder Jo Ann Jenkins' book is doing so well - she's wildly well connected (former Library of Congress COO, currently CEO of AARP) & she shares stories that people want long yearn to hear in a book that sounds the alarm yet soothes with assurances that all will be well. Many of the things it addresses ring true because we've heard them before, already give us comfort.
We Americans like to think of ourselves as can-do folks with a good grip on reality. Jo Ann Jenkins' book appeals to both those qualities. It markets well, but does it motivate any of us - including the wealthy & well-off - to become more fully connected with the actual USE of aging upward into our 70s, 80s, beyond? It doesn't feel like it.
There are some super good books out there on wholehearted aging across the years. Names that come to mind include - but are far from limited to - Reb Zalman, Bill Thomas, Joan Chittister. Where they offer up meaty alternatives & solutions, Jo Ann Jenkins strikes me as delivering mostly sizzle.
Jo Ann Jenkins offers an amazing life journey, stellar accomplishments, has set AARP on its ear with its Life Reimagined & no doubt will do much to help all ages gain a new perspective on all aspects & levels of aging. But while this book might help a certain up-market demographic gain a new perspective on growing older, Ms. Jenkins is far from a modern-day equivalent of Thomas Paine, rallying the troops against the tyranny of today's youth-centric world.
That's the person I'm hoping looking praying will show up!
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