The Age to Be

Skipping between France, Canada, and America, showing seniors pursuing post-retirement "careers," or simply continuing lifelong interests protecting the environment or promoting social justice, The Age to Be offers proof positive that new technologies and better health care are converting aging pitfalls into aging opportunities. In France, an older man runs a bookmobile for disadvantaged youth and uses a computer to promote literacy. In America, seniors repay government supplied low cost housing with service in local day care centers. An "experience corps" works with kids in inner city schools in the Philadelphia "badlands." A group of Canadian "raging grannies" stage street theater in support of peace and justice issues. Librarians will have no trouble identifying with the material presented here; for example, a "senior net" project designed to make seniors comfortable with computers is quite similar to one offered at a senior center in my library's service area. Feminist and Fountain of Age author Betty Friedan, and the International Longevity Center's director, Dr. Robert Butler, both provide background and commentary on today's aging revolution. Two messages stand out: the best time of life is the time you're in, and to truly live well, you have to be willing to give something back to the community. This documentary is a video horn of plenty brimming with ideas and inspiration, delivered with style, wit, and, yes, accumulated wisdom. An outstanding choice for any collection on aging. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)