- The most surprising thing to me about drugs and older adults was that Dimitri’s side effects caused such extreme side effects. I think I have always considered side effects and the impact that they could potentially have, but actually reading about how harmful medications can be was interesting.
- Cruikshank’s analysis of aging was very enlightening. Her analysis affirmed that aging is uncontrollable. Moreover, aging produces changes in our bodies that we may not have previously realized or prepared for. Considering that, her methods for helping older adults with ailments were good. Cruikskank called for people to use options besides drug medications to help older adults feel better. Her discussion on aging enabled me to feel more comfortable with getting old. No matter what I do, I will age, and sometimes that brings changes. Her discussion also helped me feel better knowing some people value older adults and their needs.
- In my opinion, Aronson’s conversation with Irina was pretty tame. Her questions were very vague, which allowed Aroson to get important information without alarming Irina. This conversation showed that physicians sometimes do not give patients ‘ families enough information. Physicians sometimes make choices that could negatively impact clients, but they do not dig deeper because of their need for an immediate solution.
- Aronson mentioned how the medical system is sometimes not as educated as possible regarding dementia ( Aronson 2019). This statement reminded me of how, in the Memory Loss Tapes, some patients in care facilities were cared for and given the best quality of life, rather than medicines and treatments for those people. I think that shows that sometimes people don’t need many medications and treatments, but small things could improve life quality. That is somewhat what Aronson has been trying to express.
- The example used by Aronson was really interesting. I enjoyed reading how Gabow was educated in the most beneficial practice for older adults, advocating for her mother effectively. I was most impacted by reading that Gabow, that she still respected her mom’s wishes when it came to her hospital treatments and general autonomy. I’ve seen other articles about how families handle these situations and make choices for their own preservation. It was nice to read that Gabow still respected her mom’s wishes even if it may have been difficult.
References :
Aronson, L. (2019). Elderhood: Redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Cruikshank, M. (2013). Learning to be old: Gender, culture, and aging (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.
Dr. Gabow had had significant experience with her own patients that properly informed her own practice with her mother, and the alternatives she wished to utilize. Since Dr. Gabow had gotten her mother’s Estate Planning done in advance, there was solid evidence gained when her mother would have had to show competence before an attorney, and memorialize that decision so that her doctor could more effectively act as her Healthcare Agent. It is also possible in these situations that backup agents can be assigned during the Estate Planning process. Many people assume they have no money to get this done and are not aware of legal aid and other resources in metropolitan communities. However, in rural locations, this option is not as well available if someone is lacking funds. The attorney I work for charges about $2,500 for a Will, an Advanced Directive for Health Care, and his very detailed Power of Attorney, which helps families manage the estate of the person after death. Wealthier families can put in place a Trust, which can shield the estate from Probate, protecting the elderly person’s home from the settlement process. Families need to know about more resources such as food, shelter, financial planning, estate planning, and other natural supports in the community, especially when they have a language barrier, such as there was in the case with Dimitri. Social Workers in nursing homes need to be monitoring and involved in proper intake procedures to ensure patient care is ethically comprehensive.
I really liked how you broke down both Cruikshank and Aronson’s points in a way that felt clear and relatable. Your reflection on Dimitri’s side effects stood out to me, too—it’s one thing to hear about side effects in general, but another to realize how seriously they can impact someone’s health. I also appreciated how you connected Cruikshank’s discussion of aging to your own perspective—it’s encouraging to see aging framed as a natural process rather than something to fear.
Ariana,
I had a little trouble understanding your point in the first answer. I think what you were trying to say is that you were surprised about the extent of Dimitri’s side affects? I think you could have added some clarification to that statement that would have expanded on your point. Were you surprised that there are side affects, surprised doctors didn’t know there could be side affects, or surprised medical professionals didn’t monitor older adults better? I think one of the most amazing things was how she figured it out.
I think you could have been more specific about what Cruikshank was actually discussing. I could have written those same statements about almost anything we read in these chapters. Aging is uncontrollable and it changes our bodies in ways we might not be aware of….. Like what ones of those were most surprising to you? What affects did you learn about? What methods were good and why did you like them?
I think you are suggesting that Aronson’s conversation with Irina was calm – so she didn’t cause her to panic? I just wasn’t sure what you meant. I do think that physicians often don’t explore issues completely or look at the whole patient. They focus on their specific area of expertise and don’t look at the big picture, which I think is Aronson’s point.
I’m sorry Ariana but I really don’t understand your answer to question 4. The discussion about the conference on dementia brought out the fact that while discussions of the physical/brain function is criticallly important, it is also important to consider the aspects of care giving that affect everyone involved with the patient.
I think Gabow took the treatment path that she thought her mother could tolerate. It’s difficult for dementia patients to handle all of the complications of a surgical procedure.
Dr P