. What fact about medication and older adults surprised you the most – from either text? Please
elaborate as to why you were surprised.

When I think about either texts and what surprised me the most is the factor of how normalized and automatic it is for older adults to receive medications as alluded to within chapter 4 of Cruishank text. There is always a form of surprise of learning about what a lot of elders adults are on medications for and sometimes I find it hard to realize that with age some ordinary abilities often need assistance too.

2. Cruikshank talks about the natural changes that occur in our bodies as we age. Some of these
changes are why drug reactions occur. What did you think of her analysis and her solutions?
How did her discussion inform you about your fears of growing older?

When reading through Cruikshank’s analysis and solutions, I found myself agree with most of what she has stated, expect for finding the alternative to medications. I believe in her solution of embracing aging as a natural process and prioritizing life as I think it works best for many. Her discussion help me further realize the concept and reality that growing older is a natural experience and that it is okay to live life while also getting older.  

3. Aronson uses patient examples to make her point about medication and the power dynamic of physicians. What did you think about her conversation with Irina, Dimitri’s daughter?

I think that the conversation between Aronson and Irina was very insightful, as I have never thought about how power dynamics have such a large play when it comes to medication. I have now come to realize how much power physicians can hold and how easily they can override the wishes of family and patient with that role. I also further learn that lack of communication between both physician and family often leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary medications being provided.

4. Aronson also discusses some of the issues related to dementia in the final section of this
chapter. In thinking about the Memory Loss Tapes, how did her discussion add to the
information you learned there? What do you think about the issues with her talk about
dementia at the conference?

I have learned quite a lot from the Memory Loss Tapes, her discussion has added quite a lot towards the information I was already learning. I think that her talks are insightful, I had a personal interest in her counter that aging and disability inherently means loss of happiness and meaning. She shows that while those with such limitations can still have a sense of self  and still experience joy. That even with dementia, that many of them can still retain parts of their personality. 

5. Aronson’s example of Gabow’s mother showed an excellent example of what Cruikshank
described in alternative approaches. What did you think about that example? What had the
biggest impact on you?

The biggest impact for me when it came to Aronson’s example of Gabow’s mother was the show of how such small adjustments did such a number for Gabow’s mother. Allowing her to feel safe and her wishes respected. Sometimes I have to recall that not all adjustments for older adults need to be grand or precise. Learning that smaller changes can be the best option for someone, is the biggest thing that has impact me through this example.