Marilyn Heins

A Traveler's Guide to Geriatrica Marilyn Heins

Newspaper columnist and beloved pediatrician, Marilyn Heins, MD, has fashioned a pathway through the transformative senior years of life after having entered the octogenarian years, herself. Gleaned from her experiences as she navigates the changes that come with aging, A Traveler's Guide to Geriatrica is augmented with insightful yet playful illustrations by renowned political cartoonist, David Fitzsimmons. Marilyn takes on her role of tour guide through this new terrain with her typical poise and acumen, while offering a healthy dose of humor. Approaching the aging journey as a landscape in an unfamiliar country, Heins imagines us all to be immigrants in the land of Geriatrica. During the voyage, she visits somewhat familiar, yet not quite known stops along the way. The conceit affords discussions of topics such as: dangers and perils of the journey; preparations; scams to be attentive of; downsizing; housing need changes; the importance of simplifying; on being an octogenarian; frailing; health and safety; mental health; finances later in life; teaching children about Geriatrica; canines in Geriatrica - all shared with Marilyn's indelible dry wit and celebration of life lived well into one's latter years. In the end, Geriatrica is seen as a land that if fortunate to live long enough to visit, holds not only new challenges and perils, but rich finds and wondrous experiences that continue to enrich days well-lived.