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Showing posts with label Aging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aging. Show all posts
1.09.2009
Power Up Friday
As promised, this week's book recommendation is "Glorious Adventure", by renowned nursing home reformer Carter Catlett Williams, (c. 2008, Pioneer Network, Rochester, NY, wwwDOTpioneernetworkDOTnet). Here are some of the opening lines:
"My father, Landon Carter Catlett, Jr., a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Service, was killed in a plane crash in Hawaii in 1925 at age 27 when I, his only child, was barely 23 months old....
"I have no memory of my father. For me he was only the man in the pictures on my mother's bureau, a distant icon, not a flesh and blood person...I was aware that my mother had a box of his letters, and once, in my early forties, I looked at a few of them. They made me sad, so I put them back in the box and gave no thought of returning to them again....
"But then came old age, and with it unguarded moments of reflection on earlier parts of my life and, at intervals, surprising moments of awareness."
At age 63, after her mother's funeral, Carter returned to the box and found over 200 letters and postcards her father had written to his family, many concerning the joy of his infant daughter. Carter read, re-read and distilled his rediscovered life into this moving account.
We not only get a close look at an engaging and memorable personality of the early 20th century, but we get a glimpse of the times and a compelling story of life between the wars. The book is also filled with Carter's personal reflections, painted with the palette of over 80 years of wisdom and experience. A wonderful read!
There is also a moving Afterword, written by Wendy Lustbader, that laments the death of letter writing in our society. How much will be lost to future generations when one's expressions of joy are distilled to "LOL" on a text message?
1.02.2009
Power Up Friday #2
Recent research is stressing the importance of vitamin B12 to brain health. For a long time, we have considered a blood level of less than 200-250 to be borderline, and less than 150 to be deficient.
Recent studies, however, have shown that even with B12 levels in the “low normal” range, there is excess brain atrophy. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the maintenance of fatty acids that promote healthy neurons and their supportive myelin sheaths.
A UK study, (http://www.vitasearchcom/CP/experts/AVoldiatzoglouAT10-12-08.pdf), of 107 healthy older volunteers, free of cognitive impairment, had their brains scanned repeatedly over a five-year period, as well as yearly physical exams and memory tests. They found excess brain shrinkage, (which has been correlated with cognitive loss), in those who had B12 levels in the lower end of the “normal” range.
While this doesn’t prove cause and effect, it suggests that our acceptable levels of B12 may need to be revised. The authors suggest that we use 300 as our lower limit of normal, and also follow other blood tests, (MMA and homocysteine levels), that are more sensitive to early B12 deficiency states.
B12 is plentiful in meat, fish, dairy products and fortified cereals. Older people with decreased absorption may need supplements, as may some vegans. Certain medications, such as seizure drugs and anti-acid pills, can interfere with B12 absorption as well.
Recent studies, however, have shown that even with B12 levels in the “low normal” range, there is excess brain atrophy. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the maintenance of fatty acids that promote healthy neurons and their supportive myelin sheaths.
A UK study, (http://www.vitasearchcom/CP/experts/AVoldiatzoglouAT10-12-08.pdf), of 107 healthy older volunteers, free of cognitive impairment, had their brains scanned repeatedly over a five-year period, as well as yearly physical exams and memory tests. They found excess brain shrinkage, (which has been correlated with cognitive loss), in those who had B12 levels in the lower end of the “normal” range.
While this doesn’t prove cause and effect, it suggests that our acceptable levels of B12 may need to be revised. The authors suggest that we use 300 as our lower limit of normal, and also follow other blood tests, (MMA and homocysteine levels), that are more sensitive to early B12 deficiency states.
B12 is plentiful in meat, fish, dairy products and fortified cereals. Older people with decreased absorption may need supplements, as may some vegans. Certain medications, such as seizure drugs and anti-acid pills, can interfere with B12 absorption as well.
Power Up Friday
I’m catching up on my end-of-year reading, and have a couple of books to recommend. This week, it’s Malcolm Gladwell’s latest tome, “Outliers: The Story of Success”. This book examines those individuals who do better, (or worse), than most and the factors involved. Surprisingly, he finds that success is only partly a function of determination and innate talent. Other factors play a major role, such as timing, serendipitous connections and culture.
The book explores a variety of topics, such as why all the best young Canadian hockey stars are born early in the year, how Korea turned its dismal airline safety record around by de-emphasizing culture, and why rice paddies have helped Asian students, with no greater IQ or innate ability, to outshine us at math. Interesting and thought-provoking stuff.
Apropos to this blog, Gladwell tells the fascinating story of Italian immigrants from Foggia who settled the small Pennsylvania mining town of Roseto. In the 1950s, with heart disease running rampant, it was discovered that these immigrants weren’t dying as early as everyone else in the nation. A local physician found few residents under 65 with heart disease, which was unheard of at the time. (There was also little crime, no suicide, no ulcer disease; most of them simply were “dying of old age”.)
The famous “Mediterranean diet” didn’t seem to be a factor – most of them had adopted a diet high in saturated fats and were obese. They also smoked, drank and worked in the nearby slate quarries. Immigrants from other cultures who settled the neighboring towns had the usual diseases, as did their Foggian countrymen who settled elsewhere in America. Therefore, genes and the local water supply were not the answer.
What the investigation found was that the key to their robust health lay in the community they had formed. They had multiple generations in one household and their village had a very close, collaborative social structure which had been transplanted in order to help them deal with the pressures of living in a foreign society. This community kept them alive.
Such a discovery flies in the face of the traditional “heart healthy” advice, which puts the onus on an individual’s choices-- diet, exercise, etc. Apparently the larger organism of the community must be healthy as well -- that may be even more important than the individual choices we make!
Next week, I’ll tell you about Carter Williams’ fascinating journey through time.
12.16.2008
Blanchard WinsDays
Snow Angels – The Neighborly Thing to Do.
A White Christmas loses its romantic appeal when the base layer begins accumulation in mid-December. Just a couple inches of snow can be a mountain of difficulty for the person with mobility challenges. Adding to the challenge of getting out of the driveway, most cities have requirements that snow be removed from sidewalks within a 24 hour period.
So what is the aging in community solution to helping snowbound frail neighbors? A neighbors helping neighbors snow removal program. Snow removal for older adults or others facing health challenges can be a block by block grassroots effort or a more formalized citywide program such as the Boulder, Colorado Icebusters or Hamilton, Ontario Snow Angels which pairs up community volunteers with seniors and persons with disabilities for a winter season.
In Denver, Colorado the Aging in Community Network is pairing up with the Colorado Neighborhood Resource Center and other community partners to design a community based snow removal program for frail elders and persons with disabilities with the outcome being a “how to” manual for other communities to replicate the project, from liability waivers to volunteer recruitment strategies.
How do frail elders in your community cope with snow removal?
Cheers – Janice Blanchard
A White Christmas loses its romantic appeal when the base layer begins accumulation in mid-December. Just a couple inches of snow can be a mountain of difficulty for the person with mobility challenges. Adding to the challenge of getting out of the driveway, most cities have requirements that snow be removed from sidewalks within a 24 hour period.
So what is the aging in community solution to helping snowbound frail neighbors? A neighbors helping neighbors snow removal program. Snow removal for older adults or others facing health challenges can be a block by block grassroots effort or a more formalized citywide program such as the Boulder, Colorado Icebusters or Hamilton, Ontario Snow Angels which pairs up community volunteers with seniors and persons with disabilities for a winter season.
In Denver, Colorado the Aging in Community Network is pairing up with the Colorado Neighborhood Resource Center and other community partners to design a community based snow removal program for frail elders and persons with disabilities with the outcome being a “how to” manual for other communities to replicate the project, from liability waivers to volunteer recruitment strategies.
How do frail elders in your community cope with snow removal?
Cheers – Janice Blanchard
Ben's Adventure
My name is Ben Cornthwaite. I am a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator at a CCRC in Northern Virginia where I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of a 180-person nursing home and a 104-person Assisted Living facility. Throughout my four years here, I have learned and observed many things that we do extraordinarily well as well as things that require significant change. I continue to seek feedback from residents, families and staff in many areas in an effort to continue to make our home a better place to live and work. My latest attempt to better understand the key issues involved moving into the building that I manage for 7 consecutive days (and nights)!
My life as a resident began with a new name, Happy Sunshine. I simulated an experience similar to the profile of many everyday residents which included the following:
· Surgically repaired fractured hip (requiring the use of a wheelchair)
· Bladder incontinence (requiring the use of an adult brief)
· Visual impairment—courtesy of my Creator
· Total assistance from staff to perform all Activities of Daily Living
· 7 medications (M&M’s J)
My experience included eating all meals in the dining room, taking showers in the neighborhood bathing spas, participating in resident activities, participating in physical and occupational therapy, signing the new resident contract, dependence on staff members to respond to my call light, medical monitoring of my vital signs and weight, and consultation from the doctor, dietician, nurse, therapists, social worker and activities staff. Clearly the staff knows me, so my experience was most likely different than the average experience. However, I now can say that I have a new perspective on what it means to be a resident of my community. Additionally, I found new meaning in just what it takes for the staff to produce the exceptional outcomes that we expect of them each and every day.
Overall, my experience was very revealing—by in large very positive. I encountered many wonderful people doing many wonderful things. Additionally, I found some experiences to be frustrating and difficult. Although there are many actionable items of changes that I will make as a direct result of my greater understanding, there is one profound issue that I encountered that has brought new importance to my day-to-day management. The most revealing experience for me was not my own disability, rather, the disability that we create in our own design. Specifically, the disability that residents in wheelchairs face is profound and utterly unacceptable in creating and maintaining home. The following are plans to address this very important issue:
Our community’s Executive Team has agreed to spend one day in a wheelchair on campus to encounter accessibility obstacles throughout a normal day. It is my hope that this experience will provide all the information necessary for the interdisciplinary team to agree to urgently and strategically implement changes on our campus.
I will pitch to our Executive Director that our campus shuttle schedule should be delayed 10 additional minutes to allow for adequate time to pick up residents in wheelchairs. Currently, our shuttles do not pick up residents utilizing wheelchairs—despite being equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Resident bathroom doors will be equipped with dual-swing hinges to allow the door to swing freely in both directions—this will allow residents in wheelchairs the independence required to utilize the bathroom without staff assistance
Resident bathrooms in long-term care have been evaluated by an architect to shorten one of the walls which will allow for a wider doorway—this will grant residents greater ability to get in and out of the bathroom independently. In fact, we are evaluating removing the door all together and providing a curtain for privacy since these are all private rooms.
Standard room furniture will be evaluated and positioned in a more wheelchair-friendly design allowing residents full access to the useable square-footage in their room. We will also encourage residents to bring in their own furniture that may be more suitable to their needs. Our company’s designer has worked with me on creating this design.
Every wheelchair that is issued will come equipped with a pressure-relieving cushion as standard—wheelchair seats without cushions are cruel and unusual punishment!
I have challenged my Administrator peers at 10 other campuses to also commit to living at least one week in their own facility, thus igniting operational change
I have challenged key corporate leaders within the organization to also gain a first-hand experience at one of our campuses, thus igniting company changes
I have challenged my Administrator and professional peers across the country to commit to living at least one week in their own facility, thus igniting culture change
I have come to realize that the heart of the problems that I faced was mostly due to ageist and declinist thought. To me, it is rather simple to address the cosmetic features that promote significant obstacles to our residents in wheelchairs; however, it is now apparent to me that the real issue at hand is changing a profession’s mindset. We need to consider resident growth and ability in our design and operation—not the inverse of decline and disability. I will do my job different each day as a result of my learned experience—I carry my resident ID band with me each day as a reminder for what I must not forget. Specifically, I will do my part to empower my team and others around me to also confront ageism and declinist thought each and every day.
Throughout my experience, I saw, felt, and heard great satisfaction in the care that is being delivered, despite the frustrations that I also experienced. As the Administrator, I can only imagine that this lesson will allow me to continue to be a better leader for the place we call home. I believe that everyone deserves a little Sunshine.
More here...
My life as a resident began with a new name, Happy Sunshine. I simulated an experience similar to the profile of many everyday residents which included the following:
· Surgically repaired fractured hip (requiring the use of a wheelchair)
· Bladder incontinence (requiring the use of an adult brief)
· Visual impairment—courtesy of my Creator
· Total assistance from staff to perform all Activities of Daily Living
· 7 medications (M&M’s J)
My experience included eating all meals in the dining room, taking showers in the neighborhood bathing spas, participating in resident activities, participating in physical and occupational therapy, signing the new resident contract, dependence on staff members to respond to my call light, medical monitoring of my vital signs and weight, and consultation from the doctor, dietician, nurse, therapists, social worker and activities staff. Clearly the staff knows me, so my experience was most likely different than the average experience. However, I now can say that I have a new perspective on what it means to be a resident of my community. Additionally, I found new meaning in just what it takes for the staff to produce the exceptional outcomes that we expect of them each and every day.
Overall, my experience was very revealing—by in large very positive. I encountered many wonderful people doing many wonderful things. Additionally, I found some experiences to be frustrating and difficult. Although there are many actionable items of changes that I will make as a direct result of my greater understanding, there is one profound issue that I encountered that has brought new importance to my day-to-day management. The most revealing experience for me was not my own disability, rather, the disability that we create in our own design. Specifically, the disability that residents in wheelchairs face is profound and utterly unacceptable in creating and maintaining home. The following are plans to address this very important issue:
Our community’s Executive Team has agreed to spend one day in a wheelchair on campus to encounter accessibility obstacles throughout a normal day. It is my hope that this experience will provide all the information necessary for the interdisciplinary team to agree to urgently and strategically implement changes on our campus.
I will pitch to our Executive Director that our campus shuttle schedule should be delayed 10 additional minutes to allow for adequate time to pick up residents in wheelchairs. Currently, our shuttles do not pick up residents utilizing wheelchairs—despite being equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Resident bathroom doors will be equipped with dual-swing hinges to allow the door to swing freely in both directions—this will allow residents in wheelchairs the independence required to utilize the bathroom without staff assistance
Resident bathrooms in long-term care have been evaluated by an architect to shorten one of the walls which will allow for a wider doorway—this will grant residents greater ability to get in and out of the bathroom independently. In fact, we are evaluating removing the door all together and providing a curtain for privacy since these are all private rooms.
Standard room furniture will be evaluated and positioned in a more wheelchair-friendly design allowing residents full access to the useable square-footage in their room. We will also encourage residents to bring in their own furniture that may be more suitable to their needs. Our company’s designer has worked with me on creating this design.
Every wheelchair that is issued will come equipped with a pressure-relieving cushion as standard—wheelchair seats without cushions are cruel and unusual punishment!
I have challenged my Administrator peers at 10 other campuses to also commit to living at least one week in their own facility, thus igniting operational change
I have challenged key corporate leaders within the organization to also gain a first-hand experience at one of our campuses, thus igniting company changes
I have challenged my Administrator and professional peers across the country to commit to living at least one week in their own facility, thus igniting culture change
I have come to realize that the heart of the problems that I faced was mostly due to ageist and declinist thought. To me, it is rather simple to address the cosmetic features that promote significant obstacles to our residents in wheelchairs; however, it is now apparent to me that the real issue at hand is changing a profession’s mindset. We need to consider resident growth and ability in our design and operation—not the inverse of decline and disability. I will do my job different each day as a result of my learned experience—I carry my resident ID band with me each day as a reminder for what I must not forget. Specifically, I will do my part to empower my team and others around me to also confront ageism and declinist thought each and every day.
Throughout my experience, I saw, felt, and heard great satisfaction in the care that is being delivered, despite the frustrations that I also experienced. As the Administrator, I can only imagine that this lesson will allow me to continue to be a better leader for the place we call home. I believe that everyone deserves a little Sunshine.
More here...
12.15.2008
Japan: Robot Nation
Japan, the world's second largest economy, is facing a demographic crisis that will shrink the population dramatically. The Japanese aren't having babies, and the country won't accept immigrants to help bolster the population. But Japan may have a unique solution --- Robots!
Video after the jump. You have to see it to believe it. I have two words for the Japanese: Good luck.
-- Kavan Peterson
12.12.2008
Meld, Merge, Mosaic
The Aging 600 students wrecked house at the Erickson School over the weekend.
Here are some photos of their attempt to map the concepts that make up the course.
Useful creative thinking is founded on making speculative leaps between novel concepts.
Here are some shots of the whiteboard where the class was making connections.
More fun here...
Truly Bizzaro...
Here are some photos of their attempt to map the concepts that make up the course.
Useful creative thinking is founded on making speculative leaps between novel concepts.
Here are some shots of the whiteboard where the class was making connections.
More fun here...
Truly Bizzaro...
Bizarro
Based on the comic strip character of the same name, Bizarro was the antithesis of “Superman,” famous super hero of the 1950’s. Created by Otto Binder and artist George Papp, the concept of “Bizarro” means using opposite and twisted logic to explore new ideas, gain new perspectives of commonly held beliefs and assumptions. Taking any concept, turning it upside down, backwards and inside out, the mind begins to create new ideas that run counter to the original thought. One begins to view something in a different way.
“Bizarro thinking” is a tool introduced and used in AGING 600 to help students reframe their conformist, traditional thinking and widely held beliefs surrounding aging.
A recent example of looking at aging from a Bizarro perspective can be seen in this Kaiser Permanente commercial:
“Bizarro thinking” is a tool introduced and used in AGING 600 to help students reframe their conformist, traditional thinking and widely held beliefs surrounding aging.
A recent example of looking at aging from a Bizarro perspective can be seen in this Kaiser Permanente commercial:
Watson and Spock
HEADLINE: A Blended Approach to Caregiving: based on a developmental approach towards elders and those who work with elders
In our Aging 600 course we explored the views of famous childrearing doctors, John B. Watson and Benjamin M. Spock and paralleled how we treat our elders today. We discovered through our discussions that finding a balance in these approaches was both necessary and essential to ensuring that elders can continue to prosper and thrive in their environment while feeling secure in taking risks.
Watson Views
• Rigid scheduling (eat, bathe, go to bed; formulas;)
• Not touchy feely
• Emotion between child and parent is unhealthy: let them cry – not expressive; not touchy feely
• Behaviorist
• Predict and control actions
• Reduce thinking; just action
• Conditioned responses (fear, rage, love – Albert)
• Behaviorism is the study of what people do
• Stimulus is a response and that is what causes relationship
• Conditioning is learning to react to the environment
• Anti-kiss, anti-touch
• Parents are incompetent
Spock
• Pro-touch
• Pro-affection
• Children prosper by mind-body connection
• Pay less attention to experts; trust your instincts
• Rebelled against his harsh, rigid parents
• Father of permissiveness
Best of both worlds:
• With regard to organizations, which behaviors in which situations are beneficial
• How can you find the best seat on the bus for each type
• Good Behavior would foster consistent values for the organization and the customer and all other stakeholders
• Watson model is efficient – needed to run an organization
• Behaviors should nurture growth without excess risk
• Watson systematic approach allows us to create a roadmap and framework for putting in place our instinctual values
• Trusting our instincts allow us to enhance quality of life through relationship building via touch, talk, smell, ya da ya da ya
In our Aging 600 course we explored the views of famous childrearing doctors, John B. Watson and Benjamin M. Spock and paralleled how we treat our elders today. We discovered through our discussions that finding a balance in these approaches was both necessary and essential to ensuring that elders can continue to prosper and thrive in their environment while feeling secure in taking risks.
Watson Views
• Rigid scheduling (eat, bathe, go to bed; formulas;)
• Not touchy feely
• Emotion between child and parent is unhealthy: let them cry – not expressive; not touchy feely
• Behaviorist
• Predict and control actions
• Reduce thinking; just action
• Conditioned responses (fear, rage, love – Albert)
• Behaviorism is the study of what people do
• Stimulus is a response and that is what causes relationship
• Conditioning is learning to react to the environment
• Anti-kiss, anti-touch
• Parents are incompetent
Spock
• Pro-touch
• Pro-affection
• Children prosper by mind-body connection
• Pay less attention to experts; trust your instincts
• Rebelled against his harsh, rigid parents
• Father of permissiveness
Best of both worlds:
• With regard to organizations, which behaviors in which situations are beneficial
• How can you find the best seat on the bus for each type
• Good Behavior would foster consistent values for the organization and the customer and all other stakeholders
• Watson model is efficient – needed to run an organization
• Behaviors should nurture growth without excess risk
• Watson systematic approach allows us to create a roadmap and framework for putting in place our instinctual values
• Trusting our instincts allow us to enhance quality of life through relationship building via touch, talk, smell, ya da ya da ya
Parens Patriae and Surplus Safety
Once upon a time.in a deep, dark suburb, there was a home for
Elders
called the Earhart Green House. Living among the Elders was a
woman named
Amelia, who was 100 years old, had lived at Earhart for many
years, and
had been a riveter in an airplane factory during WWI. Amelia had
long
dreamed of taking to the air. Then one day, while cruising the
web, she
came upon a YouTube video clip of a younger woman who had sky
dived for
charity. Amelia know is her heart that this was her destiny
before earning
her ultimate wings. Being under the care of the state, she
e-mailed her
Guardian, Ms. Helen No, asking her about the possibility of
skydiving.
Here is how the conversation went:
" You can't be serious - do I need to refer to Dr. Rashid for
neuron psych
referral? I am concerned about your safety, plus how would we
pay this?"
Amelia responds saying, " I feel that I can make this decision
and would
like your support. Also, I have asked John, our Activity
Director, about
this. John told me that his sister, Jess Jecan, who owns a sky
diving
school in the area, and she said she has been looking for an
opportunity
to demonstrate how safe the sport is by offering a free class in
diving to
an Elder. Plus, we could use it as a fundraiser to close the gap
in our
budget due to the recent market collapse."
So, it came to pass that Amelia took to the air with Jess, where
they flew
the friendly skies and had a safe landing. Helen, for her part,
came to
see that Amelia and Elder like her, want to grow and experience
life and
that even with the known limitation imposed by the state (Parens
Patrea),
that creative solutions are possible.
See Amelia's inspiration.
Elders
called the Earhart Green House. Living among the Elders was a
woman named
Amelia, who was 100 years old, had lived at Earhart for many
years, and
had been a riveter in an airplane factory during WWI. Amelia had
long
dreamed of taking to the air. Then one day, while cruising the
web, she
came upon a YouTube video clip of a younger woman who had sky
dived for
charity. Amelia know is her heart that this was her destiny
before earning
her ultimate wings. Being under the care of the state, she
e-mailed her
Guardian, Ms. Helen No, asking her about the possibility of
skydiving.
Here is how the conversation went:
" You can't be serious - do I need to refer to Dr. Rashid for
neuron psych
referral? I am concerned about your safety, plus how would we
pay this?"
Amelia responds saying, " I feel that I can make this decision
and would
like your support. Also, I have asked John, our Activity
Director, about
this. John told me that his sister, Jess Jecan, who owns a sky
diving
school in the area, and she said she has been looking for an
opportunity
to demonstrate how safe the sport is by offering a free class in
diving to
an Elder. Plus, we could use it as a fundraiser to close the gap
in our
budget due to the recent market collapse."
So, it came to pass that Amelia took to the air with Jess, where
they flew
the friendly skies and had a safe landing. Helen, for her part,
came to
see that Amelia and Elder like her, want to grow and experience
life and
that even with the known limitation imposed by the state (Parens
Patrea),
that creative solutions are possible.
See Amelia's inspiration.
The Art and Artifacts of Change
Our world is shifting from one that idolizes adulthood towards one that understands and embraces elderhood. We don’t have a choice because our society is aging more rapidly than ever before. Surely we could take the comfortable road to superficial change. Artifacts are only as good the values and norms they represent (like a mission statement collecting dust or wallpaper that doesn’t change behavior or the pets that come to visit once a week). These represent concrete, visual artifacts that are not guided by values and norms. But we have other ideas for change…
Example: The Ericksonville Community Intentional Library decided it wanted to be more user-friendly for their community elders.
Values (Language)
All staff, volunteers and community members participated in a discussion about what they wanted their library to be. The result was new mission and values statements that reflected their well intentions.
Norms (Behaviors)
The library staff created policies and procedure for the employees, a customer service credo and code of conduct for users.
Artifacts (Symbols)
To put their words and behaviors into action, they renovated – added ramps, improved lighting, lowered the shelves and widened the aisles. They also purchased touch screen computers, large print books and books on tape. They also created a community room for book clubs, discussions and such with universally friendly furniture .
Example: The Ericksonville Community Intentional Library decided it wanted to be more user-friendly for their community elders.
Values (Language)
All staff, volunteers and community members participated in a discussion about what they wanted their library to be. The result was new mission and values statements that reflected their well intentions.
Norms (Behaviors)
The library staff created policies and procedure for the employees, a customer service credo and code of conduct for users.
Artifacts (Symbols)
To put their words and behaviors into action, they renovated – added ramps, improved lighting, lowered the shelves and widened the aisles. They also purchased touch screen computers, large print books and books on tape. They also created a community room for book clubs, discussions and such with universally friendly furniture .
SNOW STORM SPECIAL
I was scheduled to be teaching a Masters' class at UMBC's Erickson School this afternoon.
Mother Nature, however, had different ideas. I am snowed in in Ithaca and I will be conducting the class via
iChat and the ChangingAging Blog.
We are going to be integrating the topics that have been covered in Aging 600.
I think it will be fun. Get ready for a whole slew of posts on a wide range of topics and take some time to read the comments.
For readers who have been considering joining the Erickson School's Masters Program, this event just might be the thing to persuade you that we really are educating the next generation of leaders in the wide open field of aging services.
The fireworks starts at 3:00 pm eastern time.
Dr. Bill Thomas
12.11.2008
Scam Alert
I googled "Lift SP" and found that plenty of people are aware that this is a scam.
In addition to the cream being worthless, the company uses customer orders to place multiple credit card charges...
The Rip Off Report has plenty of complaints about them.
This company is a big scam. They are stealing from credit card and bank accounts. They also do not ship product. I am a senior and don't have much money after paying my rent. I have already lost my home and car in a flood and recuperating from hip surgery so this is really devastating to me.
I hope filing this report will help prosecute and put this company out of business.
Anonymous
North Mankato, Minnesota
U.S.A.
12.09.2008
Monkhouse Tuesday: Oma – one more time
A few blogs ago I wrote about my mother, Oma, the MIP (most important person. Oma is a “title” my mother wears with great pride). I got quite a few comments from people who have had the same experiences and I also received some personal e-mails. Thank you readers, for posting your comments on a matter so close to our hearts.
Reading previous posts by Bill Thomas I noticed that the current US President Elect called his grandmother “Toots”, my husband (from Canada) used to call his grandmother “Nanu” (a two year old grandchild’s version of Grandma). Readers are invited to contribute their real life version of “Grandma” (and of course Grandpa) to our little vocabulary, as a starting point of countering elderspeak.
-- Christa Monkhouse
Reading previous posts by Bill Thomas I noticed that the current US President Elect called his grandmother “Toots”, my husband (from Canada) used to call his grandmother “Nanu” (a two year old grandchild’s version of Grandma). Readers are invited to contribute their real life version of “Grandma” (and of course Grandpa) to our little vocabulary, as a starting point of countering elderspeak.
12.04.2008
Power Up Friday
Thanks to my tai chi instructor, Lisa O'Shea, (lisachiATqigongrochesterDOTcom), for passing this one on:
Insomnia is an increasing problem in our society among people of all ages. Because of age-related changes in sleep, many older people complain of insomnia. And many of them, unfortunately, are prescribed sleeping pills that may do more harm than good.
There are many non-drug approaches to insomnia. First and foremost is to educate people about the normal changes in sleep patterns and needs that occur with age. Second is to educate people in the various aspects of good "sleep hygiene". Is there anything that works better than that?
Apparently, tai chi does. UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine published a study,
which looked at the effects of tai chi on sleep in older adults.
Over 100 community-dwelling adults with moderate sleep complaints, ranging from age 59 to 86, were randomized into two groups. One group was given extensive instruction on good sleep hygiene and the other was enrolled in a tai chi program - 40 minutes of tai chi instruction or health education, three times a week, for 16 weeks. Standardized sleep assessments were done at the beginning, and 9 weeks after the programs ended.
Guess who did better? The tai chi group had a 63% rate of significant responders, compared with 32% in the education group. There was improvement in several sleep subsets and no increase in use of sleeping pills. The results are comparable to other behavioral therapies.
It is theorized that both the meditative, breath-focused nature of the activity and the aerobic component contribute to the benefit. Chinese medicine would suggest additional mechanisms, regarding balance of yin/yang, organ vitality and chi flow. Either way, it works!
12.01.2008
The Rubber Hand Illusion
I am deeply opposed to the "declinist" vision of aging because it damages both our society's vision of elders and the way older people view themselves. Dr. Judah Ronch recently forwarded to me a fascinating published study that shows how the use of declinist language to describe age and aging fosters direct, measurable and highly negative changes among young people who use such terms.
Why should mere words matter so much?
The tendency of the human brain to carry out self-fulfilling prophecies is much more powerful than is commonly supposed.
The "Rubber Hand Illusion" illustrates the power of suggestion at work with ordinary people...
Beware of expectations for they can easily become realities.
11.30.2008
Monkhouse Monday
Eat your way out of Alzheimers
In yesterday’s Sunday paper there was a report from the annual conference of the Society for Neuroscience (sfn.org). New discoveries say that amyloid-beta-proteins "float“ freely and block“ neural synapses, the good news is that the well-known "plaques“ are actually good, because they "soak“ up some of these proteins.
The even better news is that in absence of a vaccination or medication one can drink red wine, eat oily fish and lots of curries, exercise, rest and avoid stress to escape Alzheimers.
While reading this an old saying came to my mind, a recommendation for a long and healthy life:
Feel hungry once a day (..and then eat oily fish with curry and drink red wine)
Be out of breath once a day (..from some exercise you like to do)
Laugh once a day (...when relaxing with friends)
That’s it for today, I am off to talk to our wine-merchant and the guy from the Indian curry shop. I am off on foot, of course.
Christa Monkhouse
In yesterday’s Sunday paper there was a report from the annual conference of the Society for Neuroscience (sfn.org). New discoveries say that amyloid-beta-proteins "float“ freely and block“ neural synapses, the good news is that the well-known "plaques“ are actually good, because they "soak“ up some of these proteins.
The even better news is that in absence of a vaccination or medication one can drink red wine, eat oily fish and lots of curries, exercise, rest and avoid stress to escape Alzheimers.
While reading this an old saying came to my mind, a recommendation for a long and healthy life:
Feel hungry once a day (..and then eat oily fish with curry and drink red wine)
Be out of breath once a day (..from some exercise you like to do)
Laugh once a day (...when relaxing with friends)
That’s it for today, I am off to talk to our wine-merchant and the guy from the Indian curry shop. I am off on foot, of course.
Christa Monkhouse
11.28.2008
Blanchard WinsDays
Making New Thanksgiving Traditions
As one of seven children, Thanksgiving brings back wonderful memories of childhood, crowded around the table with siblings, family and friends enjoying an overflowing table of goodies. I love the Holidays, but being 2000 miles away from the nearest relative makes it somewhat a less than boisterous meal with my comparatively small family of two children and my husband. Usually, we pair up with other families that are in similar situations to create our own extended family of sorts. That was the plan for this year, but unfortunately the host at the last minute had to cancel leaving us scrambling for other plans.
This past week, I have been doing interviews with members at our Unitarian Universalist Congregation. I am shocked by how many have been members for 30 or more years, once very involved in volunteer and social activities, that no longer participate as much and feel as a consequence they are now growing “invisible.” When asked, several shyly told me that they had no Thanksgiving plans – children had moved away, friends have passed on and there isn’t really a meaningful place or people to spend the day with…. Or is there?
This year, we will spend the early afternoon delivering lunches to homebound elders and others, and the early evening we will enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in community with about 40 other members of our Church family, several some of my new elder friends. We plan to bring board games and stay late, creating a new tradition that feeds the belly and the soul. How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
Happy Thanksgiving! Janice Blanchard
As one of seven children, Thanksgiving brings back wonderful memories of childhood, crowded around the table with siblings, family and friends enjoying an overflowing table of goodies. I love the Holidays, but being 2000 miles away from the nearest relative makes it somewhat a less than boisterous meal with my comparatively small family of two children and my husband. Usually, we pair up with other families that are in similar situations to create our own extended family of sorts. That was the plan for this year, but unfortunately the host at the last minute had to cancel leaving us scrambling for other plans.
This past week, I have been doing interviews with members at our Unitarian Universalist Congregation. I am shocked by how many have been members for 30 or more years, once very involved in volunteer and social activities, that no longer participate as much and feel as a consequence they are now growing “invisible.” When asked, several shyly told me that they had no Thanksgiving plans – children had moved away, friends have passed on and there isn’t really a meaningful place or people to spend the day with…. Or is there?
This year, we will spend the early afternoon delivering lunches to homebound elders and others, and the early evening we will enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in community with about 40 other members of our Church family, several some of my new elder friends. We plan to bring board games and stay late, creating a new tradition that feeds the belly and the soul. How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
Happy Thanksgiving! Janice Blanchard
Power Up Friday
Congrats to Fran Markover, Ithaca College Class of 1971, for her first place poem in the college's first arts and literary contest.
Here it is:
The Grandmas
In Gabon, when the grandmothers speak, the president listens...
- Bernadette Rebienot, grandmother of 23
In the Black Hills, on the back page of the Nation
The International Council of 13 indigenous Grandmothers
gathers from each direction of grief --
rainforest, African desert, the Arctic, Great Plains
Their shawls are battle-scarred with red, black and blue
Scarves warm arthritic knees
The grandmas don't speak of soup, of quilts
They are not tourists in Hot Springs
They hold hands, lift them in homage to the pines
The women are quiet spokes, their time
a circle, the fire, burn and ash of past gatherings
like the one at the great hall of Mica, its
UN-votes, treaties undone, urban tricksters
The women inflame the air with sage
Grandma Aggie prays for the home-comings of the condor
Debra White-Plume imagines more children for her tribe
Sisters Rita and Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance
invoke an end to Star Wars, 3rd grade gangs, bedroom rape
Chant of babies from un-united states of Fallujah, Kabul,
Phoenix, Katmandu. The grandmothers share
words their elders didn't -- suicide, diabetes, radioactive
Seek Windows and webs that suspend age, that
mid-wife old ladies into shamans, laps into lap-tops
One grandma teaching another about how mushrooms absorb
petroleum spills, how dollars green into trees, roots
de-tox crystal meth. The women hold hands pearled
with sweat. Remember in their bones, in soft-
wear of skin, how seeds and herbs heal wrinkles
of GrandMother's belly. How once they held the final word
'war' 'peace' in each fist
Here it is:
The Grandmas
In Gabon, when the grandmothers speak, the president listens...
- Bernadette Rebienot, grandmother of 23
In the Black Hills, on the back page of the Nation
The International Council of 13 indigenous Grandmothers
gathers from each direction of grief --
rainforest, African desert, the Arctic, Great Plains
Their shawls are battle-scarred with red, black and blue
Scarves warm arthritic knees
The grandmas don't speak of soup, of quilts
They are not tourists in Hot Springs
They hold hands, lift them in homage to the pines
The women are quiet spokes, their time
a circle, the fire, burn and ash of past gatherings
like the one at the great hall of Mica, its
UN-votes, treaties undone, urban tricksters
The women inflame the air with sage
Grandma Aggie prays for the home-comings of the condor
Debra White-Plume imagines more children for her tribe
Sisters Rita and Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance
invoke an end to Star Wars, 3rd grade gangs, bedroom rape
Chant of babies from un-united states of Fallujah, Kabul,
Phoenix, Katmandu. The grandmothers share
words their elders didn't -- suicide, diabetes, radioactive
Seek Windows and webs that suspend age, that
mid-wife old ladies into shamans, laps into lap-tops
One grandma teaching another about how mushrooms absorb
petroleum spills, how dollars green into trees, roots
de-tox crystal meth. The women hold hands pearled
with sweat. Remember in their bones, in soft-
wear of skin, how seeds and herbs heal wrinkles
of GrandMother's belly. How once they held the final word
'war' 'peace' in each fist
11.18.2008
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