Lars Tornstam – författare

Det goda åldrandet är något av en klassiker med sina 25 kapitel om människan och den åldrande kroppen. Det är ingen sjukdomsbok utan en "friskhetssamling" texter, skrivna av Karolinska sjukhusets främsta överläkare och professorer om alla viktiga medicinska områden. Syftet med boken är att helt enkelt ge en bild av vad som naturligt sker i kroppen allteftersom livet framskrider. Förslitning är naturligt, viss stelhet likaså, håret förändras, själva konstitutionen ändrar karaktär. En glidande förändring sker hela tiden utan att det innebär sjukdom. Den nya upplagan har kompletterats med flera nyskrivna kapitel, t.ex. om kostens betydelse och om vad som sker av mer psykologisk/mental natur. Boken är illustrerad. Dan Bagger-Sjöbäck, bokens redaktör, är professor med specialitet öron-näsa-hals och bokens initiativtagare. Han har likaså bidragit med en nyskriven inledning och ett förord. Han är bosatt i Stockholm.

Given the 2006 GREAT GERONTOLOGY AWARD for outstanding contribution to gerontological research by the Swedish Gerontological SocietyReceived a VALUE GROUND AWARD from the journal Aldreomsorg (Old Age Care) Expanding upon his earlier writings, Dr. Tornstam's latest book explores the need for new theories in gerontology and sets the stage for the development of his theory of gerotranscendence. This theory was developed to address what the author sees as a perpetual mismatch between present theories in social gerontology and existing empirical data.The development towards gerotranscendence can involve some overlooked developmental changes that are related to increased life satisfaction, as self-described by individuals. The gerotranscendent individual typically experiences a redefinition of the Self and of relationships to others and a new understanding of fundamental existential questions: The individual becomes less self-occupied and at the same time more selective in the choice of social and other activities.There is an increased feeling of affinity with past generations and a decreased interest in superfluous social interaction.The individual might also experience a decrease in interest in material things and a greater need for solitary "meditation." Positive solitude becomes more important.There is also often a feeling of cosmic communion with the spirit of the universe, and a redefinition of time, space, life and death.Gerotranscendence does NOT imply any state of withdrawal or disengagement, as sometimes erroneously believed. It is not the old disengagement theory in new disguise. Rather, it is a theory that describes a developmental pattern beyond the old dualism of activity and disengagement.The author supports his theory with insightful qualitative in-depth interviews with older persons and quantitative studies. In addition, Tornstam illustrates the practical implications of the theory of gerotranscendence for professionals working with older adults in care settings. A useful Appendix contains suggestions of how to facilitate personal development toward gerotranscendence.