Here is the funny thing about “Tribes of Eden,” the book. The story it tells is actually inspired by the REAL tribes of Eden, by us. When you stop to think about it, what could be crazier and more hair raising than a small band of like-minded people deciding to change the very nature of a major component of the American health care system?

That’s us and we are doing it. A few years ago it became clear to me that not only would the real tribes of Eden need to work as hard as we could INSIDE the field of long-term care, we would have to work outside the field as well. Changing the way America views aging is going to help us change the way America cares for elders.

But how do we get “outside the field?”

My thoughts returned to the thing that has, more than anything else, helped Eden to grow… Stories. The book “Tribes of Eden” takes the story of the real tribes of Eden (that’s us!) and moves it to the biggest stage. The book presents a future where our entire society has been “institutionalized.” Except. Of course. A small band of people who believe in the power of relationship, of dignity, of truth, of age — we are them and they are us.

I won’t give much more of the plot away but I can say that the “Tribes of Eden” won’t be able to do its job of changing social attitudes toward age and elders unless and until, the real tribes of Eden take up the cause and help bring this book to the wider audience of our friends, our families and our neighbors.

All of the money from the sales of the book go to The Eden Alternative in support of our shared work so this is a pleasing triple win; the book is a fun and exciting read, the money goes to Eden and it can help us challenge and overcome our society’s pervasive ageism.

What do you say REAL tribes— are you ready to ride?