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September 2007 Archives

September 10, 2007

Time Gets it Wrong

A report on national service by one of our national news magazines is a good thing but what message do Time's editors choose to emphasize with the cover art?

NewRosie.jpg


National Service is, or could be, a good thing. (Full disclosure, I never served in the military, Peace Corp, Vista or any other kind of National Service myself.) The problem is that the magazine slants its National Service coverage toward the issue of youth and service and away from what elders are already doing to advance the common good. This framing is consistent with the dominant cultural theme which says: "Old Age Equals Decline." If that was true (and it is not) then the only hope for our society would lie with the young. In fact, we live in a time when there is an unprecedented opportunity for young and old to be together, work together and make change together.


The model who sat as Rockwell's model is now an 83 year old grandmother. The iconic image of the original "Rosie the Riveter" remains powerful image because, even six decades after it was made, it retains the capacity to remind us that some things are worth struggling for and sometimes the struggle for the good can be found close to home-- in our own neighborhoods and communities.

oldrosie.jpg


So- in the spirit of Time's Rosie Remix, I have a challenge for UMBC's Visual Arts/Graphics Majors--- Make me a remix of the Time cover that gives that poor woman on the cover a mighty mane of Gray Hair and some wrinkles. Send your Remixes to me at wthomas@umbc.edu and be sure to put "Remix" in the Subject line. I will post the best of them on this blog.


Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 10, 2007 9:13 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

AARP U@50

I like this...

The "U@50" Challenge has been announced by the
Office of Academic Affairs at AARP and is already
generating great national interest.

U@50 asks those in their twenties to ponder the
question: Where do you see yourself by the time you
turn 50? To answer the question, contestants produce
a one to two minute video sharing their vision of the
future. The winner will receive $5,000 with other
cash prizes for the top five videos chosen.

I look forward to watching the entries--- they should be great.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 10, 2007 12:17 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 16, 2007

Right Answer Wrong Question

The New York Times has a nice piece on the City of San Francisco's efforts to provide health insurance to uninsured adults. This is good news because it shows that the system can be changed when principled people put their minds to work on "system change." Still, the San Francisco program is best categorized as a public policy band-aid because it does not address the tremendous difficulties faced even by those who have health insurance.

In other words, while "universal health insurance coverage" is a good thing; "health care as a basic human right" is the best thing.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 16, 2007 4:47 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 17, 2007

Good Old Medicines

Opened my mailbox today (the real metal kind of mailbox at the end of the driveway) and found an interesting article in the most recent edition of the AMA News. "Trials of Treating the Elderly" offers a nice introduction to the risks new drugs pose to older patients.

The Money Quote:

"Older participants are not usually recruited for clinical trials, leaving the path to proven treatments littered with uncertainty."

New drugs are tested on sample populations that consist-- mostly-- of younger people. So when the drug is approved and comes to market (and the advertisements hit the airwaves) the older people who are the first to use that new drug are, in a frighteningly real way, to much larger risks with much less information than younger patients.

When it comes to prescription drugs newer is not always better. The "seven-year rule" suggests that (except in extraordinary circumstances) older patients should avoid medications that have been on the market for less than seven years.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 17, 2007 2:44 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

Health Care Organizations Stress Their Employees

Nurses agree, this is not exactly news.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 17, 2007 3:11 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

There's No Blogger Like and Old Blogger

"Her readers call her "the little granny," and for eight months she has engrossed them with her ruminations on the present and her recollections of the past. Since her debut in cyberspace in December, María Amelia López, 95, has drawn thousands of readers from across the globe with an incisive blog."

09blogger550.jpg

Read the rest of the article here.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 17, 2007 3:51 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 18, 2007

New Life for Old Bones


USA Today
has a nice write up on some good news for people living with osteoporsis.


"A new once-a-year intravenous osteoporosis treatment significantly reduced the risk of additional fractures and death in men and women who had broken a hip, researchers reported Monday."

An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis — 20% of them men — and each year more than 300,000 of them suffer a hip fracture, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. This is actually a matter of life and death because...

"Older adults who break a hip are more likely to die in the following year and 2½ times more likely to suffer another osteoporosis-related fracture than people the same age, the study's authors write in this week's New England Journal of Medicine."

"Roughly half the people who can live independently before a hip fracture are not able to live independently after a hip fracture," says Dr. [Dennis] Black, an epidemiology professor at University of California, San Francisco.

The issue is important and the study seems, to me, to be very well done. I count this as a useful addition to evidence-based medicine. and that means a better use of resources along with better outcomes for patients.

Still, let's not forget that lifestyle changes can play a role that is as big, or bigger, than medications when it comes to the prevention of osteoporosis.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 10:18 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

Eden Up North

I found this nice article on the success of one Eden Alternative long-term care organization, the Burquitlam Lions Care Centre in British Columbia. Read the full article here

Eden%20Intergen.jpg

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 11:00 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

King Lear

The first ever Erickson School Masters of Aging Services class kicks into gear next week and I am team teaching the Aging 600 class with Judah Ronch. Our course looks at issues and controversies in aging and uses Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear" as an central element of the course. I am going to be blogging on my experience with the class all semester and wanted to kick off the topic with a nice online illustrated story version of the play. You can also listen to me discuss Lear on NPR by clicking here.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 1:02 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

Whose Reality?


Coping With the Alternate Realities of Dementia Patients

"Expert Caregiver Carol Bradley Bursack's first blog of this same title told caregivers to "play along" with the alternate realities of their patients. Richard Taylor, author of "Alzheimer's From the Inside Out" and a sufferer of Alzheimer's argues differently. Carol responds to his comments in this post. ... read more"

Here is my take on this issue. First, there is a long and very unhappy history of caregivers and medical professionals "orienting" people living with Alzheimers to the great distress of all those involved. It went something like this...

PLWA: "My husband is coming to take me home."
Caregiver: "Your husband is dead."
PLWA: "Don't say that, he is coming to pick me up and take me home."
Caregiver: "I'm sorry but he's dead-- you buried him back in '67-- don't you remember?"
PLWA: AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

That kind of "orientation" lacks compassion-- always has, always will.

Nowadays, however, there are more and more people living with the diagnosis of Alzheimers who are also aware of their diagnosis and have insight into their condition. These people are actively engaged in managing their condition. For them, the "OK honey you can believe whatever you want because when you think about it, it doesn't really matter what PLWA believe because--- you know--- they are demented" line is patently offensive. I tend to agree with that view.

Here is the take-home message. All genuine human caring is personal and what matters most is that the interactions between PLWA and those with whom they share their daily lives be driven by what is best for the people involved. One approach might be right today and another answer might be right a year from now. It is all about the person, knowing the person, putting the well-being of the person at the center of what we do.


Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 3:17 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

Silver Tsunami

A friend sent me this link to a Washington Post article that highlights the changing aging vibe in the DC area. It's worth a look.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 4:06 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

A Good Day

Just getting ready to call it a day and it occurs to me that I really enjoy blogging and I hope that readers of this blog enjoy it as well. Tomorrow, more to explore and more to explain relative to the New Old Age.

Night Night

Dr. Thomas

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 18, 2007 9:50 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 19, 2007

Stoytellers

Here is a great use of the vast "electronic commons" and a boon to elderhood besides...

"Everyone loves a good story. Long before there was written language, cavemen told stories by firelight, passing on the lore of their tribes to the next generations. When we elders were children, our parents read stories to us. At family gatherings, grandparents and aunts and uncles retold the incidents and events of our family histories. And today, we continue the tradition with our children and grandchildren."

Great blog, check it out.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 19, 2007 10:25 PM |Permalink |Comments (1)

September 20, 2007

A Gathering of the Tribe

A gathering of the tribe, Eden Educators come together for their semi-annual meeting. These are some of the best teachers in America and I love them and their iron-clad commitment to positive social change.

We had a great evening together.
eden.jpg

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 20, 2007 9:41 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 21, 2007

The Bizarre Face of Anti-Aging

A blog entry over at sadlyno.com puts a "face" on the strange and getting stranger obsessions of the anti-aging crowd. Strangest of all is the hyper-optimistic comment the post drew from one reader.

brazil.png

"The conquering of physical aging, which is simply THE greatest disease of mankind, is inevitable.

Right now, wise and profound minds tell us that the coming of death makes life precious. That’s true, but only because for the time being we are FORCED into accepting it; if we do not take up the concept that death’s inevitability makes life precious for now, then we go insane. (I consider the relatively high levels of apathy and nihilsm present in our current society to be a form of insanity.) […]

Once upon a time, only the gods could fly. Now mankind flies. Next to come is immortality."

Read the whole post here.

Where Oh Where to Begin???


Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 21, 2007 1:36 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

Tombstone Art

The Anti-Anti-Aging post below reminded me of one of the cool (and time-wasting) features of the internet. The Tombstone generator is always open and ready to provide you with the (virtual) tombstone you need when you need it.

So this one is for Joe...

tombstone.jpg

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 21, 2007 2:20 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 22, 2007

Pro-Aging

The opposite of aging is, I guess, anti-aging. The opposite of anti-aging is, I suppose, anti-anti-aging. Offering double negatives hasn't ever (not?) been the best way to communicate. So let's just say that I am pro-aging. I think longevity is integral to human development, much feared, little understood and a sign of success not failure.

More to the point-- every morning those of us who wake up do so one day older than we were the day before. Fine then. Let's explore this new terrain.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 22, 2007 3:06 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

And the Winner Is...

This arrived in my inbox and it was a nice reminder of all the great work being done by skilled and committed people in the field of long term care.

"Just to let you all know... LaVonda Cathcart from Holly, CO won last night. Her home was either first or second (I think) to become Eden Registered and her home is truly a home. LaVonda has moved her office into the center of one of the neighborhoods. No walls. She truly embraces Eden philosophy in every way. LaVonda had numerous challenges this year such as fierce fire threats, a major snowstorm that paralyzed the area and many cattle died due to impossibility of getting food to
them and getting them out of the snow. Then in March without warning a severe Tornado ripped through the town. The nursing home was slightly damaged, but many of her staff and of course community members lost their homes. There were a few deaths in the community. LaVonda opened her nursing home as a triage center but also helped the community in
every way.

The competition was stiff for this award. All Eden associates, all Eden registered homes and of course Susan an Eden educator, but in light of the tragedies that occurred in Holly and La Vonda's stunning administration at all levels - she was the winner."

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 22, 2007 3:15 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 24, 2007

Kaboom: NYT lowers the boom on for-profit nursing homes

Sunday's NYT pulls back the curtain on the practice of "flipping" nursing homes for profit. There is money to be made and some people are making lots of money. No problem there, this America after all and making a buck is an honored tradition. No, the problem is that there are real problems with safety, quality and dignity. The article can also be read as a cautionary tale regarding health care as a profit making activity. In my opinion, the best starting point is health care as a right not an industry. Click here to read the full article.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 24, 2007 2:47 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 26, 2007

The Elders

Not only is Nelson Mandela "still alive," he is also leading "The Elders."

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 26, 2007 10:54 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

The Call

I was Googling around and found that our friends at As Time Goes By had a nice summary of press clips about The Elders.

nelsonmandela.jpeg

For Example,

“...Mr Mandela explained that The Elders would be able to dedicate their experience and moral courage to help solve some of the problems the world was facing.

"’The Elders can become a fiercely independent and robust group that tackles these issues,’ [said Mandela.]"

- Bua News, 19 July 2007

There is more background on the group here.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 26, 2007 11:02 AM |Permalink |Comments (0)

September 30, 2007

The Masters

We just finished up the first week of intensive instruction for the students enrolled in the first of its kind Erickson School Masters of Aging Services Program. We have 27 students enrolled and they are an exceptionally strong group. The class discussions were lively and offered an excellent look into the successes and failures of the aging services field as it stands today. Judah Ronch and I rolled out our Aging 600 course (with a power assist from Chip Warner). Some might recall that the course revolves around Shakespeare's King Lear. Chip did a great job introducing the play to the students. Much more blogging to come on this as I think it represents the beginning of the beginning of a new generation of leaders.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 30, 2007 3:31 PM |Permalink |Comments (1)

Sex and the Nursing Home

Slate's Daniel Engber rings in with what must be the most bizarre silver lining sighting long-term care has ever encountered. Must be read to be believed.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 30, 2007 3:38 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

The Power of Community


"Having close friends and staying in contact with family members offers a protective effect against the damaging effects of Alzheimer’s disease according to research by physicians at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The study, which is currently posted online in The Lancet Neurology, will be published in the May print edition of the journal."


Community is essential to well being and this is especially true for elders. That said, we are sailing into a historical aberration. In the decades to come, more and more elders will spend more and more time separated from family, friends and neighbors. This is a path that leads to great suffering and it must be undone.

Click here for a handy list of Nine things you can do to prevent Alzheimers.

Posted by Dr. Bill Thomas on September 30, 2007 4:25 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)

©2007 Erickson School