Title: Growing in Age

Authors: Anne Millar

Publisher: Philip Garside Publishing Ltd

Publication Date: 2001

ISBN: 0-9582275-1-9

Price: NZD24.95

Reviewed by: John Patrick is a former school teacher in Vanuatu, a former Presbyterian minister, and a former Director of Marriage Guidance (Waikato) now living peacefully in Warkworth.

Reviewed: March 2002

This well-produced volume (occasional typing errors readily forgiven) aims "to raise awareness of the issues, values and ambitions of older people", and "to help change negative attitudes and remove stereotypes."

On the whole, I think the author succeeds in her stated aims and has crafted a valuable commentary on aging in New Zealand.

Some excellent demythologising of the aging process and older citizens is well done, as is the chapter on relationships where the author is clear that retirement has been an imposition created by our society, and not necessarily a healthy (or indeed desired) choice for many. However, I did find some generalisations about 'singleness' in women and men a little unhelpful.

Anne Millar has a fine sensitive touch when dealing with the changes and challenges faced by older people, often prone to chronic conditions, and going through the whole process of dying, grief and death. She makes good use of anecdotes and quotations to illustrate her thesis, and this section of the book is packed with useful material for the aging, their families and carers.

In New Zealand society of the 21st century, we are increasingly faced with the question 'How shall we care for our older citizens?' Anne has made a significant contribution to this issue, and her book deserves a place in ministers' studies, the offices of WINZ, funeral directors rooms, and in bookshops and libraries for the general public. The book is both analytical and prophetic...lively combination!