Inclined Elders

THIS BOOK WILL BE INVALUABLE IF YOU:

Have a desire to continue living a purposeful life, no matter what your age.

Are interested in learning how to maintain a positive attitude from adulthood to elderhood.

Want to learn how to create a living legacy and serve as a role model for future generations.

WHY EMBRACE AN ATTITUDE OF INCLINE?

For the first time in history we are not only living longer, everyone has an important choice to make: commit to a meaningful, purposeful life of "Incline" as we get older or believe that a new stage – one of steady "decline" – is inevitable. What is not helping is that in the media and society in general there continues the somewhat negative connotation surrounding the concept of aging. And while, at least not now, we cannot do anything about the chronological process of becoming 60, 70, 80 years and beyond, we can change the mindset for it. Embracing change and looking at life with a keener sense of curiosity will lead to living with increased courage to live life to its fullest.

INCLINED ELDERS is a call to action for you to opt for Incline. Not only for your personal fulfillment, but also to help fuel a social "legacy" that increases the number of positive older role models in everyday life. I have written this book to inspire, inform, and challenge you. By the time you reach the last page, I hope you will have made a new choice: to become an inspiring example of a life of Incline so our society relinquishes – once and for all – the notion that aging is synonymous with "decline," "decrepit," "senile," and "over-the-hill."

In this book over 50 men and women ranging in age from 40 to 100 share their tips and techniques on how to live a life of Incline. Their strategies are supported by scientific evidence from the fields of Positive Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology.

WHO ARE INCLINED ELDERS?

We are the women and men who have made a conscious choice to ignore society's negative mindset of "decline" and "over-the-hill" as we age. Instead we embrace a positive mindset of continuing to Incline and climb ever upwards.

Serving as vibrant role models, the Inclined Elders I spoke to for this book are leaving their own unique legacies of wisdom and inspiration for future generations. There needs to be more of us like them to effect real social change. So why not Incline too? There's an amazing view from up here. Come with us and see for yourself.

Ramona Oliver has long been passionate about supporting individuals with their personal and professional development. As a septuagenarian, this passion is now directed toward positive aging.

Formerly, Ramona has taken on roles including human resource manager/director, career coach, and director of outreach. As a human resource director for many years, she championed the professional development of employees. While serving as president of the Austin Human Resource Management Association, she led an award-winning team that designed, developed, and implemented a leadership program. In addition, she launched a workforce readiness committee that partnered with community organizations to implement workforce readiness initiatives. At St. Edward's University, she promoted the adult undergraduate and graduate programs to older adults in the Austin community.

Ramona currently serves as an advocate of positive aging. Rather than accepting a mindset of decline, Ramona is passionate about living life with an attitude of Incline. She has been published on the Changing Aging website, offering posts with titles such as "Can We Please Stop Calling It Aging," "What Are We Missing When We Settle for Life Stages?" and "Leave a Legacy and Live It Now!" She earned her Master of Business Administration from St. Edward's University.