Read the May 24 ChangingAging Blogstream Roundup

The Eden Alternative invites you to join us virtually at the 6th Eden Alternative International Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., via livestreaming video and live chat May 30-31 featuring keynote speaker Dr. Bill Thomas and other leading figures from the culture change community broadcast. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join the conversation via social media and be part of an international collaboration of people and organizations working to make a better world for Elders. Visit www.EdenAlt.org on May 30 for a link to the live stream feed.

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The reason we have social insurance programs for older people, things like Social Security and Medicare, is that we don’t live down on the farm any more. Back in the old days,and for better or worse, (it was worse more often than we remember) the old folks were…

1) A fairly rare species, some people did live to very ripe old ages- just not many of them.
2) We had a much higher birth rate and the average age of the population was much lower.
3) The old people we did have were- mostly- surrounded by an extended family network of people who cared about them.
4) Older people could contribute meaningfully to small scale farms and enterprises long after the time we refer to a “retirement.”

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It has become clear to me that we use psychiatrists extensively as consultants for people living with dementia, particularly in long-term care settings. It also has become apparent that the majority of referrals center around various types of distress for which the care staff need assistance. Therein lies a very basic problem, another flawed paradigm.

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There is a pretty good write up on Senior ERs on a great new blog called Next Avenue —  it is very well done and is definitely worth a look. I like their emphasis on aging as a developmental reality.

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New white paper looks at innovation in senior living across country, including Ecumen.

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Coffee is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world. I suppose many drink coffee because they believe it tastes good. But for many, the appeal of coffee is for its medicinal properties-specifically the stimulant effects of caffeine.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world.  I suppose many drink coffee because they believe it tastes good.  But for many, the appeal of coffee is for its medicinal properties-specifically the stimulant effects of…

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Virtual senior centers allow people to use video chat technology to take classes and participate in programs from home.

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The one aspect that I take some objection to is the one-sided and very negative view of disability in late life.  He equates the “drawn-out, stoic, and heroic long good-bye” to “human carnage”, and backs this up with studies showing that 70% of those older than 80 have a chronic disability with over half having at least one severe disability.  However, at least one study by GeriPal’s Alex Smith shows that it is possible to be significantly disabled and dependent on others for help with even basic activities of daily living, and yet also have a good self-rated quality of life.

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This month is Older Americans Month and the theme, “Never Too Old To Play,” is perfect for Arkansas. This has been the goal of our culture change projects all over the state. We are working toward an environment that encourages activity and fun instead of routines. The U.S. Administration on Aging has provided a website which offers useful resources and tools to help you plan and promote events and activities honoring older Americans.

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