You might not think that a book about aging would be the most gripping read — but they can actually be hilarious.
Overview: Our Top Picks
Best Books About Aging Parents
- Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s by B. Smith and Dan Gasby ($15.49)
- The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions by Stella Henry and Ann Convery ($17.99)
- A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents — and Ourselves by Jane Gross ($17.90)
Best Books About Aging in Place
- Aging in Rural Places: Policies Programs, and Professional Practices by Kristina Hash Ph.D., MSW, Elaine Jurkowski MSW, PhD, and John Krout, PhD ($51.25)
- Elderburbia Aging with a Sense of Place in Rural America by Philip B. Stafford ($62.51)
- How to Age in Place: Planning for a Happy, Independent, and Financially Secure Retirement by Mary A. Languirand PhD and Robert F. Bornstein PhD ($16.99)
Best Funny Books About Getting Old
- The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 ¼ Years Old by Hendrik Groen and Hester Velmansn ($11.99)
- I'm Old So Why Aren't I Wise?: Snarky Senior in the Sunshine State by Erica Manfred ($12.79)
- Flip-Flops After 50: And Other Thoughts on Aging I Remembered to Write Down by Cindy Eastman ($12.99)
Best Memoirs About Aging
- The Long Goodbye: Memories of My Father by Patti Davis ($10.99)
- Prime Time by Jane Fonda ($19.60)
- Live Long and... What I Learned Along the Way by William Shatner ($15.00)
Best Books About Aging Gracefully
- From Age-ing to Sage-ing by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller ($18.99)
- The Grace in Aging Kathleen Dowling Singh ($15.95)
- Recipes for a Sacred Life by Rivvy Neshama ($15.78)
Best Books on the Science of Aging
- The Longevity Diet by Valter Longo ($14.69)
- Aging Wisely: Strategies for Baby Boomers and Seniors by Robert A. Levine ($36.21)
- Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson ($15.99)
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Best Books About Aging Parents
- Best Books About Aging in Place
- Best Funny Books About Getting Old
- Best Memoirs About Aging
- Best Books About Aging Gracefully
- Best Books on the Science of Aging
Here are some of the most helpful books we’ve rounded up about aging — from helpful to hysterical, you’ll be able to learn the most you possibly can from these must-read books.
Best Books About Aging Parents
Your relationship with your parents doesn’t have to become delicate when they grow older. If you are proactive, you’ll be able to address matters sooner than later.
1. Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s by B. Smith and Dan Gasby
Before I Forget is written from the perspective of a married couple. B. has Alzheimer's, and her husband, Dan, is her caregiver.
They cover exactly what you can expect and how to handle it. You can read our picks for more books on dementia if you're looking for more.
2. The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions by Stella Henry and Ann Convery
The Eldercare Handbook is for children who have to learn to navigate elder parental care.
The author answers tough questions about how to manage the endless medical and financial needs — including how and when to move your parent into end-of-life care.
3. A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents — and Ourselves by Jane Gross
A Bittersweet Season offers frank observations about navigating the difficult Medicaid system in the United States.
4. The Caregiving Season: Finding Grace to Honor Your Aging Parents by Jane Daly
One daughter explores a faith-based journey of care for her mother with honesty and love.
It's not going to be easy to tell your mom she can't drive anymore. But in The Caregiving Season, Jane Daly offers ways that you can address this and other tough topics with patience. You can read our picks for the best caregiving books if you're looking for something similar.
5. The Family Guide to Aging Parents: Answers to Your Legal, Financial and Healthcare Questions by Carolyn Rosenblatt
The Family Guide to Aging Parents is a great resource to help you plan, protect, and understand your parents' needs as they grow older.
The guiding perspectives of an RN and an attorney give insight into both legal and palliative care.
Best Books About Aging in Place
It takes a community to help seniors flourish happily in place. With aging in place, the right policies and the right frame of mind means that more seniors will be able to stay at home longer.
6. Aging in Rural Places: Policies Programs, and Professional Practices by Kristina Hash Ph.D., MSW, Elaine Jurkowski MSW, PhD, and John Krout, PhD
Aging in Rural Places looks at the policies and problems aging elders face in rural America.
From lack of care to lack of funds or plans, generations of Americans experience voids right when they are most vulnerable.
7. Elderburbia: Aging with a Sense of Place in Rural America by Philip B. Stafford
Elderburbia is not just for families. To make your community more welcoming to older generations, this book is a must-read.
You'll discover the research that suggests why elderly people should stay in their homes and hometowns. You'll also read about the innovative companies that can make that happen.
8. How to Age in Place: Planning for a Happy, Independent, and Financially Secure Retirement by Mary A. Languirand PhD and Robert F. Bornstein PhD
How to Age in Place offers advice on how to help your parents remain in their homes as long as possible.
You'll be making a checklist to ensure they get the right care and have the right services available as they age.
9. Aging in Place: How to Live at Home Safely and Independently for as Long as Possible by Stephanie Watson and Suzanne Salamon
Inside this 49-page Harvard Medical School pamphlet, you’ll learn how to stay in your home for as long as you can — no matter where you are.
Aging in Place also offers quick tips on navigating Medicare so that you get the care you need.
10. I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years: The Ancient Secret to Longevity, Vitality and Life Transformation by Ilchi Lee
Renowned author Ilchi Lee offers inspiration to keep you on your feet and moving until the age of 120 in I've Decided to Live 120 Years.
You don't have to just grow old, you can also achieve a passion and purpose, too.
Best Funny Books About Getting Old
Laughter will keep you young. A sense of humor will set you free. Here are our top picks for books about getting old.
11. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 ¼ Years Old by Hendrik Groen and Hester Velmans
Are you a spirited prankster at heart? Then The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen is calling your name. Hendrik Groen discovers a few ways to liven up his neighborhood.
12. I’m Old So Why Aren’t I Wise?: Snarky Senior in the Sunshine State by Erica Manfred
Erica Manfred is unafraid to speak her mind or cause a little ruckus when needed in I'm Old So Why Aren't I Wise? Plus, she's filled with a charming wit and the vigor of a teenager.
13. Flip-Flops After 50: And Other Thoughts on Aging I Remembered to Write Down by Cindy Eastman
Cindy Eastman offers charismatic, raw honesty. Written in short essay form, Flip-Flops After 50 is about Eastman's newfound perspective and attitude.
Since turning 50, she revels in life, aging, and uncomfortable situations.
14. If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won’t) by Betty White
Anything by actor Betty White is a good read. If You Ask Me offers new material, plus the same generous, sweet humor for which she's known and loved.
White's latest book is nothing but candid — you won't be disappointed.
15. Today I Am a Ma’am: and Other Musings on Life, Beauty, and Growing Older by Valerie Harper and Catherine Whitney
Being a comedian gave Valerie Harper more freedom to age than other leading ladies. In her book Today I Am a Ma'am, you'll discover more one-liners and quips than stories.
But the wit and wisdom of one of our favorites still shine through.
Best Memoirs About Aging
Wisdom comes in many packages. It also comes from unexpected sources.
16. The Long Goodbye: Memories of My Father by Patti Davis
The Long Goodbye is the story of a woman watching her father slowly disappear. It's both a loving and a tender tribute.
Although he was well-known to all of us as an actor and then as a president, Ronald Reagan was Davis’ dad.
17. Prime Time by Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda, activist, actor, and fitness maven, focuses on self-discovery and a continued journey for truth in Prime Time. You'll see why she's an inspiration to so many.
18. Live Long and… What I Learned Along the Way by William Shatner
How to live a long life? Don't die. It's a simple enough answer and it's also a recognition of the road traveled and the challenges managed.
Live Long and... is for fans of the original “Star Trek,” — you’ll love this overview of the life of a television icon.
19. Forward From Here: Leaving Middle Age — and Other Unexpected Adventures by Reeve Lindbergh
Reeve Lindbergh has turned 60. Her challenges are a little different than most, but her writing style and self-deprecating humor in Forward from Here make her relatable.
The book is even more engaging if you appreciate historical references and insight about the famous Lindbergh family.
20. Getting Over Growing Older: A Humorous Memoir of Discovering the Challenges of Aging by Brigitte Nioche
Not ready to succumb to old age and still love to be stylish? You'll love Getting Over Growing Older. From the perspective of a New York model and fashionista, you'll learn how to stay young for as long as possible.
21. The Secret of Life: A Memoir of Getting Younger by Dr. Zeev Gilkis
The Secret of Life reminds you that the best way to keep your mind fit is to keep your body fit. If you want to stay young and healthy like Gilkis, then the key is to get outside and get physical.
If you're looking for more recommendations, read our guide on the best memoirs for young adults.
Best Books About Aging Gracefully
Whether through religion, spirituality, wit, wisdom, or tenacity, aging gracefully is possible.
22. From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller
The wisdom of Sufi masters, Native American shamans, and Buddhist teachers inspired Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi’s journey.
From Age-ing to Sage-ing shows readers how aging doesn’t have to cater to anxiety. Instead, it can be a wondrous awakening that’s both nurturing and healing.
23. The Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older by Kathleen Dowling Singh
The Grace in Aging is a spiritual book that replaces negative attachments and intolerances with positive enlightenment and clarity.
As Singh suggests, you can achieve freedom from circumstances and emotions weighing you down in addition to experiencing a positive awakening that will guide you forward.
24. Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday by Matthew Sockolov
Aging gracefully isn’t just about what you see on the outside. Patience, calm, and mindfulness are also essential factors in the aging process, ensuring greater mental well-being throughout life. The meditations provided in Practicing Mindfulness are a great first step.
25. Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles by Rivvy Neshama
Neshama’s inspirational stories in Recipes for a Sacred Life will encourage you to see the grace in your life so that wisdom, not needless chatter, lets you step into the future with confidence and peace.
26. The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister
Changing one’s perspective on aging isn’t easy when our society typically shuns elders for youth and vitality.
Chittister weaves these outdated social views with new perspectives in The Gift of Years, allowing the reader to recognize gratitude associated with age instead of dwelling on society’s insistence to cater to youthful beauty.
27. Keep Sharp: How to Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta
In Keep Sharp, Dr. Gupta suggests that brain function decline isn’t a final diagnosis, nor is it the last word in your brain’s health. Instead, there are several positive, regenerative habits included in the NEURO plan (Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restore, Optimize) you can start now.
In twelve weeks, Gupta suggests you’ll see marked differences to help you stay sharp and reduce signs of cognitive decline.
28. Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being by Andrew Weil
Dr. Weil’s Healthy Aging consistently ranks in the top five books among book clubs. It speaks to women contemplating plastic surgery, references the double standards of aging in men versus women, and speaks about the isolation women feel throughout the aging process.
29. A Man’s Guide to Healthy Aging: Stay Smart, Strong, and Active by Edward Thompson Jr. and Lenard Kaye
A Man’s Guide to Healthy Aging focuses on the male perspective of physical health, mental well-being, and how your relationships can affect your overall health and wellness.
Read it for a comprehensive guide (including sensitive or unpleasant topics) about men’s health.
Best Books on the Science of Aging
Improvements made to gut health, brains, and bodies each play crucial roles in the science of aging.
30. The Longevity Diet: Discover the New Science Behind Stem Cell Activation and Regeneration to Slow Aging, Fight Disease, and Optimize Weight by Valter Longo
Longo’s approach to the science of food and longevity has a great deal with gut health, affecting your body’s ability to function well.
His approach in The Longevity Diet tackles controversial concepts such as water-fasting to reduce inflammation and other inflammatory diseases.
31. Aging Wisely: Strategies for Baby Boomers and Seniors by Dr. Robert Levine
Strategies and practical tips on aging are remarkably few and far between in Levine’s Aging Wisely, given its title.
Instead, you’ll find an abundance of information related to the psychological and social aspects of aging, which may be helpful for those analytical thinkers out there.
32. Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life by Louise Aronson
In Elderhood, Aronson points out several important criticisms when it comes to eldercare, including one glaring problem. She reveals that our medical system becomes reliant on quick, high-tech solutions because our primary care physicians’ pay scales are so much lower than that of specialists.
Read it for understanding and research into the inner workings of today’s medical field as opposed to ways you can reverse signs or slow aging down.
33. The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age by Stephen R, Gundry, MD
The Longevity Paradox explores the role of gut health and living a happier, healthier life. The Longevity Paradox changes in weight and energy, but you’ll improve your brain, heart, and skin health, too.
Read to find out how to regain energy and vitality to stop feeling run down all the time.
34. How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, MD, FACLM
In How Not to Die, Dr. Greger proposes that simple diet changes can prolong and lead to an overall healthier life, removing avoidable health-related obstacles and diseases which lead to premature death.
In a sense, the proper diet leads to healthier, longer lives.
35. The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time by Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bark
The Longevity Book explores the idea that there’s no escaping the female aging process, one that begins as soon as we’re born. But there’s an abundance of information from experts in nutrition, science, medicine, and more to support a better path to aging and aging well.
Diaz blends this information from leading professionals to show you how to maintain vitality while giving the subject a good dose of humor to keep the book fresh and exciting.
Don’t Fight it — Enjoy it
Aging will happen, and the best way to approach aging is with compassion, humor, and some positivity. These books can help you or a loved one gain some excellent perspective.
If you're looking for more recommendations on embracing aging, check out our guides to the best magazines for retirees and what to put on your retirement bucket list.