The Golden Rule

We are living longer lives, and have choices now as never before about how we will age. But what will make us happy? What changes, made right now, will help us to flourish as we age?

This book contains the invaluable lessons Dr Lucy Pollock has learnt from over thirty years of working with older people, from tales of loss, to impossible families, and the importance of learning to live with uncertainty.

Medical teams have not always heard the voices of older people or their loved ones. But if we are given power to influence the lives of our future selves, how best shall we use it?

Review

The Golden Rule is part manifesto for better integration and appreciation between generations, and part reflection on a career spent looking after our elders, [. . .] with good humour, sanity, wisdom and quite a few jokes . . . her messages are clear and I’d love to see them headline every statement on health policy . . . [Lucy] offers advice not just on how to live to a ripe old age but also how to enjoy it ― The Times

Compassionate and wise, it makes for empowering reading ― Observer

If you are old or care for someone old, or indeed intend to become old one day yourself, please read this beautifully written book. With wisdom, clarity and kindness, Lucy Pollock generously shares what she has learned from caring for elderly people professionally and in her own life. Rich with everyday stories, The Golden Rule will inspire you to think differently about your own ageing and everyone else's. ― John Launer

The impression you have is how much you’d want Pollock as your medical practitioner ― Daily Mail

Beautiful and wise, filled with characters I know living through situations I recognise, filtered through the kindness of thoughtful storytelling ― Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind

About the Author

Lucy Pollock has long been grateful for the guidance offered by an early boss, who hoped she would not be offended if he suggested she should specialise in geriatric medicine. Having trained at Cambridge and Bart’s Hospital, Lucy is now a Consultant Geriatrician in Somerset. She has been working with older people for 30 years, and has learned useful things about life from a great many older people.