A new view of growing old
“What Are Old People For?” – How Elders Will Save the World

William Thomas, MD
on OFF THE PAGE

Originally broadcast Dec. 14, 2004
at 1 & 7pm on WSKG Radio

The discovery of virtue in the necessity of old age is the single greatest achievement in the history of humankind. That we do not understand this as a matter of common sense is the result of the historical glare created by the achievements of adults. We remember Caesar but not Caesar’s grandmother. But what would Caesar have been if he had been born into a world without elders? Adults and adulthood obscure but in no way diminish the contributions elders have made to our world. Old age is far from a forgettable vestige trailing after the bloom of youth. It made our world. It is the greatest of all human creations, the mother of all our inventions.

-- from “What Are Old People For?”

Life expectancy has increased substantially over the past century. But that doesn’t mean that our society expects very much out of all those additional years. Since 1900 the percentage of Americans over age 65 has tripled. The U.S. Census reveals an elderly population above the national average in New York State and the Southern Tier. Care of the elderly has become a financial and emotional burden for many families, and institutionalization of the elderly is a matter of continual concern.

A concept that has attracted international attention is The Eden Alternative, a plan and philosophy developed by geriatrician William H. Thomas of Sherburne, NY. As a new way of considering long-term care he is having a significant influence on the health care field. The changes that Dr. Thomas has inspired are sometimes architectural, physical or procedural. But he really seeks to bring about a change in the way people think about aging, rejecting the “declinist” view of life. In his new book “What Are Old People For?” – subtitled “How Elders Will Save the World” – he not only emphasizes the value of the elderly, he offers a jeremiad against the “cult of adulthood”.

Dr. Thomas distinguishes between the action orientation of persons during their most “productive” years and the life of both the child and the elder, which may be rich in experience but limited in accomplishment. He refers to these two tendencies as DOING-Being and BEING-Doing. Just as it may be wrong to force children to become little adults, society acts unjustly when it tries to extend adulthood into old age, or deny the innate value of elderhood. And just as we recognize a transitional time of life called adolescence, Dr. Thomas reminds us of a period of change in the later years called senescence. Today’s “baby boom” generation is approaching senescence, and they may be the ones to change expectations and attitudes about elderhood.

To reverse the trend toward “medicalizing old age”, there is a new system of Green Houses devised by Dr. Thomas in which even frail elders – geriatrician Thomas certainly recognizes the health problems common in old age – can enjoy noninstitutional surroundings, privacy, the companionship of friends and animals and proper professional care when needed. In place of the medical workers who may become strained and burned out, Dr. Thomas proposes a new profession, which he calls the shahbaz (from the Persian word for a royal falcon). This person would provide assistance when needed but would not maintain the emotional distance that many medical workers feel must be part of their professional bearing.

Dr. William Thomas joins Bill Jaker on OFF THE PAGE to address the issues of aging, his vision of a kinder and less frightening elderhood and the benefits this will have for all of society. To join in the discussion, call during the live broadcast to (toll-free) 1-888/359-9754, post a question here, or directly to WSKG@stny.rr.com.