America has a major misconception about aging
I’m honored to be included among the 44 industry experts asked about the future of long-term care in this informative infographic and article:
Category: Books/media of note
The New Old Age Blog absorbed into NYT/Health
As regular readers may know, I’m a big fan of The New York Times’ New Old Age column, which has been a treasure trove of information on issues related to aging and caregiving. It was founded by Jane Gross in 2008 and continued by Paula Span until the recent decision to discontinue the blog. Paula Span will now write her column twice a month as part of the Health section of The New York Times.
The fact that there was a New Old Age blog was very encouraging to me as I began blogging about my work as a psychologist in long-term care. I’m sorry to see it close in this form and I will follow it to its new incarnation. Thank you, Paula and Jane, for taking on these very important topics.
Honoring Outstanding Residents and Others
Signature HealthCARE alerted me (via Tweet!) about their Quality of Life program where they recognize outstanding residents and others in their community. On October 9th at 6pm ET, Signature HealthCARE will simultaneously induct over 350 distinguished individuals in 87 care centers into their Hall of Fame.
The Signature Hall of Fame website contains a gallery of photos and stories of the accomplishments of inductees in various areas of life such as leadership, public service, and volunteerism. I particularly like the section on personal accomplishments. See the video below (or click here) to find out more about the program.
As a psychologist I’ve heard many very private stories of residents who have lived for years with persistent pain, came through a childhood of prejudice, abuse, and/or poverty, and work hard to keep a positive attitude despite disability. As I’ve told some of “my” residents, I don’t find celebrity interviews nearly as interesting or impressive as hearing their stories.
If your facility has found a unique way to honor residents and staff, please share it in the Comments section.
Assisted Living Documentary by Resident Dick Weinman
As a psychologist, I have the privilege of hearing the perspective of residents on a regular basis. For those of you who aren’t so lucky, here’s an insightful video by a resident of an assisted living facility. Dick Weinman, retired professor of broadcast communications at Oregon State University, author and former radio personality, provides a moving account of his experiences as a resident.
View below or click on this link: http://youtu.be/UciTFCPCivI
Dick Weinman
The Second Wind Tour
Dr. El and Dr. Bill Thomas
Last month I had the chance to attend the launch of Dr. Bill Thomas’ new book, Second Wind. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative and creator of The Green House, has written many books about changing the culture of care in nursing homes. In his new book, he shifts his focus to helping readers understand the background of our youth-obsessed culture and to encouraging a more positive outlook on aging.
The Second Wind event was a combination of music, drama, education and entertainment that left attendees feeling hopeful, energized, and positive. It was exciting to meet so many like-minded people engaged in improving long-term care. LTC often gets bad press, but there are many, many people out there striving to make things better for our elders.
One of these people is Dan Cohen, MSW, Executive Director of Music & Memory, which is a program designed to bring individualized music via iPods to residents with dementia. I wrote here about the astounding success of this program in engaging elders who have previously seemed lost within their dementia. I met Dan Cohen once before and was pleased to see him again at the Second Wind event, where we took the selfie below.
Dr. El and Dan Cohen, MSW of Music & Memory
Amazon Review #4 of The Savvy Resident’s Guide
4 out 5 stars A must read for anyone who thinks they may need a home in the future
By Kat Hohler
This book is easy reading (larger print) with understandable language that doesn’t say you should enter a nursing facility, but what to expect if you do need one. I have shared with my coworkers at the nursing home where I work, hoping to get a few in the building for short term residents to read with their families.
Thanks, Kat Hohler!
Amazon Review #3 of The Savvy Resident’s Guide
5 out of 5 stars Great Resource
by Doris Chun
Dr. El offers good advice and really useful information on a topic most of us want to avoid. She delivers it with a dose of hope and lots of humor. Her book makes the journey see less daunting.
Thanks, Doris Chun!
Amazon Review #2
5.0 out of 5 stars A no nonsense guideby Kathleen MearsAs a nursing home resident of 16 years, I have encountered most of the issues in Dr. El’s book, “The Savvy Residents Guide: Everything You Wanted To Know About Your Nursing Home Stay, But Were Afraid To Ask”.
Dr. El’s coping mechanisms and insistence on facility involvement encourages residents to make the most of their new lives.
There is no doubt about her clear understanding of the subject matter.
This book is a “no nonsense” guide to family members. It also provides alert residents with a tool to help them plan their future care.
Thanks, Kathleen Mears!
‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view (McKnight’s LTC News)
Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News:
‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view
I was very pleased when I heard there was a program about a long-term care facility on British television. Finally we’re getting our props — at least overseas.
“Derek” is the story of a simple but kind middle-aged man who works in a quiet assisted living home with an assortment of misfits who staff the place. The show is alternatively funny and sad and definitely worth watching, especially to see how our work is portrayed to the public.
For the entire article, visit:
‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view
More about Ricky Gervais:
Ricky Gervais is not only the star of ‘Derek,’ he also wrote and directed it. Gervais’ past credits include his work on ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras,’ which he co-wrote and co-directed. He had lead roles in both programs. Below, Charlie Rose talks with Ricky Gervais about ‘Derek.’
Ricky Gervais on ‘Charlie Rose’
For more insider info on what it’s like to live and work in a nursing home, read The Savvy Resident’s Guide.
Navigating the Caregiver’s Journey: LTC Offers a Valuable Viewpoint — Guest Blog by Author Deborah Shouse
Navigating the Caregiver’s Journey: Long Term Care Offers a Valuable Viewpoint
When my parents relocated from Memphis to Kansas City to be closer to me, they packed decades worth of clothes, souvenirs, books, and furniture. The process of helping them move overwhelmed me and I fervently wished they’d had fewer possessions. But three years later, I yearned for those stacks of boxes; my mother’s possessions had dwindled considerably since she’d progressed deeper into Alzheimer’s. Now she needed additional care and was moving from assisted living to a memory care facility.
That blustery September day, as my dad and I helped transfer my mom to her new home, Mom had only a suitcase full of clothes and toiletries.
Taking the First Steps
Once at the home, the administrator welcomed us but her cordial greeting couldn’t dispel the chill I felt. I had worried about moving Mom into this brand new facility, but the home was close to my dad, who was already having some trouble driving.
“Where is…?” my mother asked, tugging on her sweater. “What are…”
“We’re fine, Frannie,” my father said.
My stomach clenched as we walked into the shiny new unit. After we’d taken a few steps, a woman in a white nursing uniform hurried towards us.
“Frances, how lovely to see you. And you too Paul. You must be Deborah.” The woman, Pam, was the nurse in charge. Dad had met her earlier and had told me how nice she was.
“I’m so glad you’re all here,” Pam said. She turned to Mom and said, “Paul told me you were a nurse during World War II.”
“She was,” Dad said proudly. “She served in Iceland and England.”
”That was very courageous of you,” Pam said. She linked her arm through Mom’s and she and Mom strolled down the hallway together. “You must have had many adventures.”
Mom looked blank and then smiled. “We skied to hot springs.”
Some fragments of Mom’s WWII stories were still intact and Pam listened encouragingly as Mom shared phrases from the same story several more times. They settled at a table in the cozy dining room and Pam served us all coffee and cookies. She seemed relaxed and welcoming; she was getting to know a new friend.
Embracing a New Viewpoint
When I listened to my mom’s stories, I usually wrote down every word, worried I might not hear them again; I felt I was losing an old friend. But Pam wasn’t worried when Mom repeated herself or misplaced letters. She didn’t panic when Mom started a sentence and couldn’t retrieve her thought. Pam just wanted to get to know Mom. Through her actions, Pam silently invited me to appreciate my mother just as she was.
As I hung up my mother’s meager collection of clothes in her new closet, I was grateful for her pared-down possessions. Mom had let go of many material reminders of the past, just as I was letting go of the woman my mother used to be and embracing the woman she was. ##
Deborah Shouse: Bringing Words to Life
Deborah Shouse is a writer, speaker, editor and creativity catalyst.
This November, Central Recovery Press is going to publish an updated edition of her book Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey. Originally, Deborah self-published and used the book as a catalyst to raise more than $80,000 for Alzheimer’s programs and research. She will continue donate a portion of her proceeds to Alzheimer’s.
Deborah and her partner Ron Zoglin have performed her writings for audiences in the United States, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Puerto Rico, England, Ireland, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Turkey and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To learn more about Deborah’s work, visit her blog DeborahShouseWrites
Or follow her on Twitter: DeborahShouse@Twitter