Holding Stories in Their Hands April 4, 2017 - Thelma is 97. “Did you know I used to be a bartender?” she asks photographer Elaine Zelker.
Is Medical Marijuana Good Medicine for Older Adults? It’s Complicated April 4, 2017 - After Jane broke her ankle, walking even short distances was a painful challenge. The 63-year-old had been an avid hiker and gardener and was stifled by her limited mobility. To make matters worse, she couldn’t tolerate the side effects of prescription painkillers.
The Struggle over Medical Decisions at the End of Life March 28, 2017 - When retired professor Jeffrey Butler suffered a stroke at age 79, the prevailing concept of “the best medicine” kicked in to save him. He survived, though unable to complete full sentences. During stroke rehab, he developed a painful intestinal hernia. To qualify for the surgery recommended to repair it, a cardiac exam was ordered. When it showed a slow heartbeat, a pacemaker was urged.
Death Cafes Are All about Life March 28, 2017 - Death comes to all. But heaven forbid it be mentioned.
Certainly not over tea and cake.
At the Mercy of Strangers March 28, 2017 - In a culture that values independence above all, many are terrified of growing dependent on the care of others. What could bring dignity and even meaning to the frailty we may face at the ends of our lives?
Ellen Goodman: It’s Time to Talk about Death March 27, 2017 - The first glimmer of Ellen Goodman’s vision for the Conversation Project started with a suitcase.
When she was 25, Goodman went home to visit her family. Her father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and would pass away three months later. Her mother had just given him a gift: a brand new suitcase.
What’s More Effective at the End of Life Than a Living Will? March 4, 2017 - For many of us, having a signed, notarized advance directive or living will engenders a sense of security. Once our medical wishes are set down in black and white, we feel confident they will be honored if we become incapacitated.…
Gaming: A Way to Exercise Older Brains - Video games have always been part of Shawn Etheridge’s life. His interest was first sparked as a young teen, when he toted rolls of quarters to a nearby mall to play arcade games like Pong. As a young adult, as…
A Silent Killer in My Family - At my annual physical, I brought a list of concerns, feeling uneasy after learning that three of my siblings have high Lp(a), a form of cholesterol that increases the risk of heart and vascular disease. “I think I should get…