This is my direct appeal to Oprah. I argue for giving Elders and the people who love Elders a place on her television show. Here’s hoping that she answers the call.
Author
Bill is a visionary leader in the online Changing Aging movement and a world-renowned authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare. Bill is founder of two movements to reshape long-term care globally – The Eden Alternative and Green House Project. He is currently traveling the country influencing culture change with the ChangingAging Tour.
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The nation is once again aroused over a Minneapolis mother who refused chemotherapy for her 13-year old, learning- disabled son who is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The mother wants to treat her son with alternative medicines and herbal supplements. The judge in this case opines that because the boy is unable to read, that he “did not understand the risks and benefits of chemotherapy.”
It is my opinion that the decision governing the choice of disease management should be up to the parents and not the judicial system.
Thank you for you call to the elders. I have worked with the elders as a nurse for almost 20 years and would not do anything else. They all have a special place in this world and in my heart. I have learned and continue to learn the value of their wisdom and compassion every day. They need recognition and a positive light in our society. I hope Oprah will see the value of their being.
I think it’s a shame that we have to beg a ‘television celebrity’ to give elders air time. I have watched several human interest programs on Oprah’s show–demonstrating countless examples of man’s capacity for compassion. But not for elders. I think the message is clear. She has no interest in people who may not be cognitively able to praise her. Perhaps we should consider developing our own television network “For Elders Only”!
Go for it Oprah… one day you too will become an elder!
Hello
Thank you for your efforts to gain access Oprah’s ears and eyes and mind. I am amazed, disappointed, and stunned that such efforts are necessary. It is the saddest of states that elder issues must first be voted upon by her viewers in order for her producers to seriously and comprehensively address them. If folks don’t respond to their own self interests, the interests of their moms and dads, the issues of their friends – I’m not real hopeful that utube responses will carry the self-centered day and open the minds and hearts of all of us to all us to all of us.
We are all victims of our own making, in that we all have participated in the development and maintenance of the culture in which we all now live. Now that some time has passed in our lives we bump up against the values, the politicians, the policies, the budgets that we helped to create. What irony! What goes around truly comes around. Just how we can stop this selfish, self-centered culture of ours is a question that might be answered long after I have returned to cosmic dust. I’m not optomist, but neither am I willing to pass the burden onto the next generation of elders to fix us all.
Stand up, speak up. It’s not just all we can do, it’s ALL we All should do.
Richard.
This is great Bill. We will spread the word with the PA Culture Change Coalition.
Come back and visit us in Pittsburgh soon.
Seems like I’m always bringing up the rear on these things. It’s the curse of the youngest sibling, I guess. I have to say that is a splendid video. I’m not in the elder biz, myself – I’m simply aging and trying to understand my place in the world with who I am at this time of my life. What a lovely discovery! I now subscribe to your blog and I will be looking into your work to help me find my way. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Dr. Thomas you have been the guiding light for Gerontologist around the globe. The Eden Alternative & Green House philosophy has played a huge part of my education and life. My love and focus for my elders has been lifelong. Everyone should hear you speak and understand that institutions are a thing of the past; we can do much better for our elders. Oprah you are watched by millions of viewers every week. The impact Dr. Thomas would make would be a societal change. Many generations will thank you. A New Wrinkle, Consultants in Gerontology
Thank you so much, Bill, for putting this out. BRAVO!!!!
BRAVO! Dr. Bill for being the first to bravely and boldly take this on. I am in your corner if you need another senior advocate. I am a geriatric care manager in Boca Raton and have felt like this for years. I am sure Oprah will take notice. will follow you on Twitter to see the outcomes. Thanks for taking the challenge.
I scanned the earlier comments and so the support is there. Maybe, just maybe it will happen. You hit the points (of course) and having your background gives us a chance to change aging in the US.
Hey maybe you could ask Joe G to do a video on changing retirement planning. OK OK, I am asking Oprah too much to have both of you on.
Good Luck,
Joe
This is fabulous. I continue to spread the word.
Louise
Eldercare Learnings
Good luck, I hope you get on Oprah so you can “spread” the word about how wonderful Eden Philosophy really is. I work for a long term care facility in Canada as an RN/Assistant Director of Care. Before Eden Alternative, my focus was primarily to ensure our elders were looked after well, medications given on time and their daily activities met. Being an Eden Associate it has changed my views completely. Everyone should hear Dr. Thomas speak and understand that a care home does not have to feel like an Institution but a real home for the elders.
Thanks so
Much for all the supportive comments!
Younger or Older, the Eden Alternative should be shared with the world! What better way then the Ophra show.
It has and will continue to provide comfortable, every changing real life experiences for families and Elders living and preparing for transition in to Care Homes. Honestly this most uplifting Philosphy needs to reach the people who need it. Eventually we all will. thank you,
Hello Oprah, If you are aging, you need to know about the ‘Eden Alternative.’ Dr Bill Thomas is an enlightening educator, who shows that living in “A Home” can and should be a joyous experience for the elder, and for their family. Our dementia care home in Nanaimo, B.C. is embracing his philosophy. Our elders and staff are excited about the opportunities presented by this paradigm shift in care. You OWE it to your audience to share this improved way to live and work with elders.
Oprah please consider airing the Eden Alternative. This model of care for our elderly is of upmost importance, as we too will be a generation of the old one day, and deserve the best quality of care. Dr. Thomas has a wealth of infomation, and a trully effective concept of care that the world needs to hear about. Oprah you have power to influence many caregivers and family. Good luck Dr. Thomas…..hope to watch you soon…….:)
It is a great video and I think it would be an excellent opportunity to get the message out. Look forward to hearing a positive response from Oprah!
Good Luck! It would be wonderful for Dr. Thomas to get an opportunity to inform the masses that the Eden Philosophy is the way to go for elder care anywhere in the world.
I hope you ge the opportunity to appear on Oprah. I am always disappointed that Oprah does not focus on Aging but how to avoid it. Most of her shows are about adults(50 and younger.) With her huge population she reached it would be great for people to be educated on how to look forward to aging.
I hope that you get the opportunity to appear on Oprah. The more exposure the public gets to Eden the better. There are too many members of the public that are just not aware that the old way of caring in residential care is not the best for residents.
Thanks Dr. Thomas. There is no one else that could get this message out more passionately than you! Your vision for the future makes a better world for us all.
In our long term care home we are so in love with our Elders and there is no where else we would rather be… and you gave us this gift. You did not just bring home back to the nursing home you brought back love.
Wishing you all the best in your quest to reach your goal!
I agree with you. It would be a great benefit for noticement within the greater area if Oprah helped support or at least brought the subject of the older population and the challenges that they face within the community. She has such an impact on the world because of her public appeal that something like this would certainly be brought to greater attention after she discussed it on her show.
Great Idea! Let us know when you get on (I am sure it will happen some time)!
Good luck. I agree with you 100%. The influence Oprah has would help us further our cause so much. I am the director of a rural county council on aging in Appalachian Ohio. It is a daily challenge to meet the needs of our older population. Getting exposure on the Oprah show could help us take a giant leap! Thanks!