Movie: Silverstreaks

In the spirit of full disclosure - I have no interest in running, especially not in running marathons. Having said that, however, this upcoming documentary on older women marathon runners looks very inspiring. The site doesn't disclose when or where the film will be released. I think it's a short piece. Perhaps I'm becoming pleasantly jaded about aging, but while it's impressive anyone completes a marathon, I'm not blown away by the fact that women over the age of 65 have done it. To me, 65 seems the new 45.

Check out the trailer at Silver Streaks the Movie.

Dr. Butler's Death in the News

I'm following the reports of Dr. Butler's passing in the news. It's early still, but there are some very nice missives being released about him. I like this one by Richard Peck, a former editor of Geriatrics magazine. Peck is apt in his description of Dr. Butler as "smooth" and "gentlemanly," and the word "bemused" certainly captures some of his character. The piece also captures some of the broader elements I sense about Dr. Butler's work - that it is now and always has been ahead of its time and will only truly be appreciated down the road. Here are two wonderful nuggets from the piece:

What impressed me a great deal was the "drop everything and do it" attitude these distinguished people displayed when the smooth, gentlemanly Butler requested their participation in Geriatrics projects and panel discussions. He was clearly held in universal high regard within the worldwide geriatrics community.

and 

For the past several years Dr. Butler headed up the International Center on Longevity and continued to explore new territories of aging-related issues that will someday be commonplace to all of us.
It will be another decade or two, I'm sure, before his achievements register upon us in full.

Here are some of the other pieces that have shown up on the Internet so far:

The statement "On the Passing of Dr. Robert N. Butler," by the Director of the New York State Office for the Aging speaks to some of Dr. Butler's accomplishments, as does the third version of the AP article.

More News Coverage: 
Here are some more articles that appeared shortly after Dr. Butler's death.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/health/research/07butler.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070605125.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-robert-butler-20100707,0,6726206.story

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2010/07/07/seniors-owe-robert-butler-many-thanks.html

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2002134,00.html?xid=rss-health

http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20100708/gerontology-pioneer-robert-n-butler-expires-83-id-10119849.html


http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/the_passing_of_dr_robert_butler.php

On the Death of Dr. Robert N. Butler

We have all lost an ally this week, all of us who are aging that is, whether we be five or one hundred and five. 

I was stunned and saddened today to learn that Dr. Robert N. Butler died on July 4th. Just writing that seems implausible to me.

Two weeks ago I was in New York City interviewing Dr. Butler for a video biography project. We reviewed much of his life and work and touched on many topics, including death and illness. I don't know if he knew then how sick he was, but he didn't let on about it. He was gracious and warm, funny and poised. He was exactly as I would have expected such a great and prominent man to be - almost noble in his demeanor. I was initially drawn to the idea of doing a video biography with Dr. Butler because of the incalculable impression he has made upon the landscape of gerontology and geriatrics. It was wonderful to discover that, beyond his career achievements, he was also a genuine gentleman with a gracious perspective on the world. He was a tremendous humanitarian whose life's work fought against the pernicious impact of ageism, and he still had his sights set on so much more to do. He was in the midst of two significant new projects which I hope will be continued in honor of his work.

My thoughts and prayers go to Dr. Butler's family, friends and colleagues.

Hospital Delirium - More than Just Scary

The New York Times published this truly disturbing article about hospital patients suffering from delirium. The majority of delirium sufferers are older adults. The condition is very serious, as recent studies indicate that there are long-term effects, even death, that result from the condition.

The NYT article touches on some well known and relatively fixable aspects that contribute to the condition: that older adults react differently to medications, that most doctors don't know how to properly prescribe for the metabolism of an older adult, eg.

It seems quaint, but even something as basic as the presence of a candy striper - someone willing to come around and talk to hospitalized patients, stimulate their minds and give them basic interactions can help.

I had no idea that there was even such a thing hospital delirium. Truly stunning, and it makes me all the more committed to this kind of work.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/science/21delirium.html