★Once rose to the first place on the kingstone list!
★Simplified Chinese version rights are under hot negotiation!

From now on, I decide to "age joyfully."
Research indicates that having a negative view of aging is a form of chronic stress, which may indirectly lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Aging is not necessarily a negative term. The key is the attitude you adopt towards "old age." Whether you are pessimistic or optimistic, aging does not mean decaying. It's all in your mindset.
Her parents and her second elder sister both suffered from dementia, making her a high-risk group for the disease. As a physician, she herself has battled breast cancer, undergone cataract surgery, and had operations on her cervical and lumbar spine. At the age of seventy-three, living alone with white hair, she has experienced all the common "aging" issues. The difference is that she never complains. She chooses to be optimistic. She wants to live a shining golden age!
Afraid of "dementia"? Reading more, exercising the brain, traveling, and dining together can help prevent it.
Afraid of "falling ill"? Health for the elderly is not about being free from pain but about coexisting peacefully with diseases.
Afraid of "cancer"? If you get sick, don't ask "Why me?" Just focus on getting proper treatment.
Afraid of "living alone"? Having your own savings and friends, being independent and self-reliant, is a happy and proud thing.
The more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen. The more you face aging with equanimity, the more you can live a fulfilling life. Your thoughts shape your actions, and ultimately, you will achieve what you envision. — What kind of old age do you want?
Six practical propositions for preventing dementia and living a joyful old age:
Living alone but not feeling lonely: Accept the fact of aging and look on the bright side. Build up your mental resilience.
Seeking help while being self-reliant: Being independent and autonomous in old age is a source of joy and pride.
Aging without decaying: Traveling can increase cognitive reserves, and exercise can lead to a longer and healthier life.
Preventing dementia together: Engaging in mental activities, physical exercise, household chores, and social interactions can reduce the risk of dementia.
Actively taking care of your health: Having goals in life, maintaining social connections, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Continuously learning new things: Silver-haired people need goals to live meaningfully and with a sense of value.
Book Features
Dr. Liu Xiuzhi's "Daily To-Do List" has been uninterrupted for fourteen years since her retirement. She writes: In this way, both body and mind, as well as interpersonal relationships, are taken care of. The brain and the stomach are satisfied. I believe dementia will stay away from me (see page 72 for details).
Exercise (such as walking for at least forty minutes) and mental activities (such as reading): They can strengthen the body and the brain.
Self-care (such as enjoying good food) and altruism (such as complimenting others): They act as social lubricants.
Duties (such as attending medical seminars): Contributing your expertise and feeling useful.
Gratitude (such as being given a seat): Reminding yourself of how fortunate you are.
Dr. Liu Xiuzhi: "The average life expectancy in Taiwan is eighty-one years. Considering my genes and physical condition, I can add or subtract a few years—At seventy-three, I probably have another eighteen years left. Knowing my time frame, my 'mindset' and 'action' will be different. I will cherish the present more and plan well to ensure a smooth and peaceful old age. Besides, accidents can happen anytime, and life might end abruptly. So, I need to prioritize what I want to do." (From the preface of the book, "I Hope When I Grow Old, I Can Be Like You.")
When asked by readers, "Why can you remain so optimistic despite having cancer?" and by patients, "Why me?" she replied: It's like drawing a lottery ticket.
Many people think: "Why bother dressing up when I'm old?" "It's too late at this age." "I don't have the energy." But she says: Don't let your age-related stereotypes hold you back.
As a solitary elderly person, a high-risk group for dementia due to genetic factors, a cancer survivor, and someone who has undergone cataract, cervical, and lumbar spine surgeries—she has encountered many of the common aging issues. But she always thinks: Since these are part of life's journey, instead of lamenting, she chooses to face them with optimism!

Dr. Liu Xiuzhi

Authority in the field of dementia in Taiwan
Former Director of the Department of General Neurology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Adjunct Professor at Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University
Columnist for the "Yuanqi Weekly" of the United Daily News
Columnist for Healthy Magazine
At the age of 59, she stepped down from the front lines of medical practice according to her well-planned life schedule, making room for younger doctors and reserving time for herself. Professionally, she has "retired but not ceased" her work, continuing to serve as a special physician at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and an adjunct professor and clinical instructor in the Department of Neurology at the College of Medicine, Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University. She has been dedicated to raising public awareness about dementia, addressing its impact on patients, caregivers, and society. Her column articles have received enthusiastic responses from readers. Co-authored with Dr. Wang Peining, her book What If I Have Dementia? was awarded the "Outstanding Health Reading Material Award" by the Health Promotion Administration.
In her personal life, she leads a more fulfilling existence than in her younger years. She believes that with proper mental preparation, aging need not be a source of panic, and one can learn to accept the physical and mental changes that come with it. Not only does she practice this philosophy herself, but she is also committed to spreading this mindset to the public.
Combining her medical expertise with her passion for writing, she wrote the short story "Did I Get 'Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease'?" under the pen name Yang Yunsan, which won the "First Prize" in the Gold Group of the 2018 New Taipei City Literature Award.
She is also the author of several books, including Reserve Time for Yourself: A Guide to Graceful Aging by a Dementia Expert, Fall in Love with the Process of Aging Slowly: 57 Practical Mind and Body Reminders from a Retired Doctor, Live Smartly to 100, Keep Your Brain Active, Stay Young, and When Parents Grow Old: Caring for Dementia, Stroke, and Other Neurological Diseases. She has co-authored What If I Have Dementia? and Don't Wait Until Dementia Strikes with Dr. Wang Peining.

Preface

1. Living Alone but Not Lonely
The "Fortunate" Life of the Rice Shop Daughter 026
I Am an Elderly Person, and I Feel Free 031
How You View Old Age is How It Responds to You 036
Three Practical Prescriptions for Health and Longevity 042
Is Living Alone Bitter or Joyful? It Depends on How You Live 047
"Advance Planning" is the Key to Living Alone with Ease 052
Good Friends are Beneficial to Your Health 058
How Do I Say Goodbye? 067

2. Seeking Help While Helping Yourself
The Power of Gratitude Exceeds Your Imagination 072
Able to "Help Yourself," Yet Unafraid to "Ask for Help" 075
The More Optimistic You Are, the Healthier You Become 080
Wishing You "Health and Happiness" is Not Just a Casual Phrase 085
In Life, When Should You "Wait" and When Should You "Not Wait"? 089
How Do You Spend Your Extra Time? 094
Hold On, and Everything Will Be Easier 099
What Made You Cry at Eighteen, You’ll Find Unimportant at Sixty-Eight 104

3. Aging Without Growing Old
Absorbing New Medical Knowledge Promotes Golden Years of Health 110
Be Prepared, and Seniors Can Still Travel Happily 114
Travel More to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases 119
Stay Active in Your Golden Years: Exercise, Brain Health, and Peace of Mind 123
I Love Hiking 129

4. Preventing Dementia Together
Gathering with Friends: The "Happy Dining" Approach to Preventing Dementia 134
Worried About Dementia? Should You Get Tested Early? 138
Preventing Alzheimer’s: Just "Listen to Your Mother" 144
Chronic Stress Can Lead to a Dementia Crisis 150
Grandma Turns into a Little Girl? It’s a Dementia Hallucination 156
If Dementia Worsens, It’s Best to Stop Wearing Dentures 161
Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia: "Single Choice" is More Considerate 166

5. Actively Caring for Your Health
How to Eat Smart for Weight Loss? 174
Your Voice is "Aging"—How to Maintain It? 179
If You Encounter "Parkinson’s Disease" 183
Forgetfulness Might Be "Aphasia," Not Dementia 189
Suddenly Can’t Speak? Be Careful! 194
Lost Your "Sense of Taste"? Which Specialist Should You See? 200
Love Golf? Beware of Sports Injuries 206
Fortunately, It’s Just Shingles 212

6. Continuously Learning New Knowledge
Has the Era of "Telemedicine" Arrived? 218
No Matter How Times Change, Doctors Heal Bodies and Minds 224
Viewing the Brain Through Life: Infinite Possibilities 229
Are You Taking Your Medication as "Prescribed"? 236
Can You Trust Medical Information Circulating Online? 241
Start with Writing: Give It a Try in Life 247

Acknowledgements 252