Comments for ChangingAging.org

Comment on Will More Money Buy an Alzheimer’s Cure? by alpower

alpower — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:45:19 +0000

Amen, Kavan.

Comment on Will More Money Buy an Alzheimer’s Cure? by theresaleslie

theresaleslie — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:02:02 +0000

Sounds like the federal government may have got manipulated!

Comment on Will More Money Buy an Alzheimer’s Cure? by theresaleslie

theresaleslie — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:58:07 +0000

Just saw this am news flash on new cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, funny how the cure information is coming out now!

Comment on Will More Money Buy an Alzheimer’s Cure? by JaneFlemingOsborn

JaneFlemingOsborn — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:23:40 +0000

Having watched my mother succumb to what was sort of diagnosed as Lewy Body Disease by the Mayo Clinic and not being able to find much of anything about it on the internet that added to my knowledge, I totally agree that while Alzheimer’s Disease is powerfully identified these days, there are other kinds of dementia that do the same damage to people, their families and their caregivers.

Comment on Knowing When To Say Goodbye… To Life by Cathie Borrie

Cathie Borrie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:42:48 +0000

A wonderful story. I have always disliked the term “wandering”, which implies a lack of purpose and in this sense is limiting and patronising. Our own fears and lack of imagination do much harm to those we should be honoring and for whom we lack the courage to believe they know, in some sense we are not admitted to, exactly where they need to be.

Comment on Knowing When To Say Goodbye… To Life by Above Ground Pools

Above Ground Pools — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:38:06 +0000

Moving story. I’m not sure how I feel about it in terms of caring for our elders. It is definitely thought provoking though.

Comment on How Doctors Die by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:16:00 +0000

Wow. I really needed this article. I am a gerontologist and my mom is in ICU now after a serious fall. My training tells me that lifesaving interventions don’t work, but last night at 1 am when the phone rang, it took all my strength to say not to intubation. Thankfully, Mom had an advance directive, reminding us to honor her wishes. She is unconcious, holding her own for now, the next chapter awaits.

Comment on British Parliament Takes a Look at The Green House Project by British Parliament Takes a Look at The Green House Project | The Green House Project

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:55:52 +0000

[...] British Parliament Takes a Look at The Green House Project Posted on January 17, 2012 by kavan@changingaging.org From the ChangingAging Blogstream [...]

Comment on British Parliament Takes a Look at The Green House Project by rosemary weston

rosemary weston — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:27:30 +0000

i’ve read about and seen videos concerning the greenhouses. for anyone not able to live independently…and many of us will come to that point if we don’t die first…this seems like a great improvement over more traditional nursing home situations. i think i could accept going to such a place whereas i would rather die than be put in a traditional nursing home!

Comment on My Own Aging by Ilene Cummings

Ilene Cummings — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:50:48 +0000

I love the story about your early life. It helped me alot! I felt inspired and renewed by your, “being you.” when my “work in the world” is not moving as swiftly along as I would like, I will take solace in your words of determination. On Saturday, I am conducting a three hour workshop on forgiveness. A HUGE topic that does not get enough airing. But, I am going to stick to what I think is right. I have a different take on the subject. Forgiveness is a call. In the final analysis it is about the spiritual quest, the beauty of yielding, surrendering and growing in wisdom. in grace, Ilene Cummings

Comment on My Evening With Aubrey de Grey by Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:36:50 +0000

A point of clarification–the essay that I reference focuses on the 55-64 age group; however, the societal/economic costs associated with this age group is also pertinent to the elderly.

Anthony

http://elander-anthony.blogspot.com/

Comment on My Evening With Aubrey de Grey by Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:32:15 +0000

Speaking as a supporter of healthy life-span extension, I would posit a few thoughts for “pro-aging” advocates to consider. Additionally, I would posit that the best course forward for both sides is not to debate as much as to engage in discourse in order to find a middle ground (technologies that both sides can support). With that said…

First, I hate the term “healthy life-span extension.” I am interested primarily in compressing morbidity; however, if drugs/procedures which accomplish this feat also extend lifespans, so be it. Many “anti-aging” people fall into this camp.

Second, IMO, age discrimination is a by-product of our current technological prowess. Our current society’s focus on rapid social and technological change helps to buttress a culture that is youth focused. By contrast, less tech heavy cultures whose mores/values/memes change more slowly tend to revere the old.

Third, whatever benefits aging conveys on an individual (or provides to society), these advantages are far outweighed by the costs. Age related diseaess and infirmities not only cause untold amounts of suffering for the elderly, they also tremendously impair the economy both directly and indirectly (significant healthcare costs to treat aged population, lost opportunity costs for young/middle aged people who care for elderly, etc.). Anyone who wants to review a more detailed lists of the “costs” can peruse an essay that I wrote on the subject: http://nche.ache.org/documents/anthony_hopper.pdf

In short, it would be better for all concerned if we could ameliorate the aging process, thereby ensuring a healthier, active older population.

P.S. If I recall (don’t have time to look it up), while surveys may indicate older people are the happiest, that data is contradicted somewhat by the fact that the suicide rate among the elderly is quite high–second only to teenagers.

Anthony

http://elander-anthony.blogspot.com/

Comment on My Own Aging by Lmrobertson126

Lmrobertson126 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:25:46 +0000

I have had the privilege of reading Tribes of Eden and as always was fascinated with The story telling genius of Dr. Thomas. Being involved with Eden for many years it was fun to envision the characters in the book with the names of the Thomas family. It made the book so personal in a way for those of us in the Eden family. I have all of Dr. Thomas’s book and I will look forward to those still in that creative and wonderful mind of his.

Comment on My Own Aging by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:19:29 +0000

Beautifully said.

Comment on The Novel Idea by Dr. Bill Thomas

Dr. Bill Thomas — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:52:31 +0000

I wanted to ask the question— what role does our understanding of aging play in society as a whole. That quickly led to the insight that much of what we decry about long term care can also be found in society at large. The Eden Alternative became the Eden Underground (www.edenunderground.org) and I was on my way.

Comment on The Novel Idea by Meagan

Meagan — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:58:53 +0000

That sounds like a great book! What gave you the idea for the story?

Comment on Yur Doin’ it Wrong by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:07:40 +0000

I think since at least when Oscar Wilde released “The Picture of Dorian Grey” in 1890 the idea of aging being due to sin has been reaffirmed in the wider culture.

Comment on Yur Doin’ it Wrong by Michael Benidt

Michael Benidt — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:52:41 +0000

Dr. Bill, Love your example of the mis-placed sales pitch. Social media has such great potential to, as you say, “reach people of like mind and tell them our story.” It also can help us listen to the stories of others – which is what the sellers and pitchmen so often forget. If the nice lady from GCI Health had taken any time at all to network and build a relationship with, her message to you would have been different. The huge potential of social media is it’s ability to build new relationships and solidify older ones. The tragedy of social media has been that so few people realize this. They still think it’s a billboard for their advertisements.

Comment on Thank You Senator Alquist by Andrea Tyck

Andrea Tyck — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:13:18 +0000

As the Guide for Pomona project, I second that “thank you” to Sen. Alquist. It is so exciting to see the transformation that can happen when many work together in their respective spheres of influence to move an idea to reality. We are humbled to participate.

Comment on Attacking TV Ageism by Sunie Levin

Sunie Levin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:18:32 +0000

I am 80 years young and my husband is 83. Here is a recent article in the Naples News that tells how we are being pro active in making new friends and living our lives. (http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/nov/17/he-writes-she-writes-north-naples-couple-keeps/

Comment on Largest For-Profit Nursing Homes Deliver ‘Significantly’ Worse Care, Report Finds by Nonprofit Nursing Homes Shine When Caring About People is the Priority Southern Arizona Nonprofits

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:24:33 +0000

[...] to a recent article by Kevan Peterson in Changing Aging, the study finds that in the rush for profits, nursing home chains cuts costs in part by [...]

Comment on Largest For-Profit Nursing Homes Deliver ‘Significantly’ Worse Care, Report Finds by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:57:30 +0000

Thank you!

Comment on Largest For-Profit Nursing Homes Deliver ‘Significantly’ Worse Care, Report Finds by Kavan Peterson

Kavan Peterson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:43:42 +0000

Good point. It’s already a long headline but I hope the change adds clarity.

Comment on Largest For-Profit Nursing Homes Deliver ‘Significantly’ Worse Care, Report Finds by Scott Fox

Scott Fox — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:58:07 +0000

I am disappointed to see the title of this article. It should read “Large Chain nursing homes deliver “significantly” worse care. Report Finds.” Your title unfortunately painted a large portion of quality for-profit provider with this same brush. This is quite misleading and unfortunate.

Comment on Largest For-Profit Nursing Homes Deliver ‘Significantly’ Worse Care, Report Finds by Kavan Peterson

Kavan Peterson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:12:24 +0000

Of course! You have to pay for the full study but I added the link.