What Are Old People For?: How Elders Will Save the World

by William H. Thomas

Nodding to popular culture, history, science, and literature, a passionate and persuasive case is made for removing our ageist blinders and seeing old age as a developmental stage of life.

Genres: Nonfiction

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

$1.69 + S&H

Needless to say, this is not a book I ever would have chosen to read on my own, but because I value participating in my book club, I got and read it. It was very eye-opening, and I feel that this really is a must read for anyone who wants to get older, as well as those who are around elders, including parents.

Our society is more focused than ever on being eternally young, and people fear getting old -- with good reason. We have failed our elders miserably, and Dr. Thomas explains how this has come about, as well as ideas for making things better as time goes by for elders, adults, and children.

This book will give you many ideas about just how necessary elders can be to our communities, just as children are still a part of the human cycle of life although it seems that everyone wants to become and/or remain an adult forever. Each stage of life has its place, and I am content to be in adulthood although I can recognize much of what elders go through. I only hope and pray that things change, and that they change sooner rather than later.

For much of the book I thought I was only going to give it 3.5 stars, but because of the content, not to mention the members of my book club are all elders, the subject matter will stay with me for a very long time, just as the book about slow living will be.

[Joe Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the back cover: “William H. Thomas, M.D., is a geriatrician and visionary with an international reputation as one of the leading authorities on the future of aging and longevity. He is president of the Eden Alternative, a global nonprofit organization, and a professor at the University of Maryland’s Erickson School. He lives in Ithaca, NY, with his wife, Judith Meyers-Thomas, and their five children.” Although there are sections which were a bit slow for me, his writing style reflects a broad education and an ability to include a wide range of analogies/metaphors—which I find refreshing. I was halfway through the book before I finally grasped that not only is he describing the value of elderhood and how it is undervalued in our culture but that William Thomas is working toward doing something constructive to reverse that trend—reestablishing elders to the rightful place of honor/value in an intergenerational culture. Far from being a pipe dream, the idea of a “green house” actually took root in Mississippi—perhaps (hopefully) among other places. Don’t miss reading the appendix, 2003 reflections on the “green house” movement in Mississippi by Stephen L. McAlilly, president of Mississippi Methodist Senior Services.

[Karen Overturf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been valuable reading on my break and is a must read for anyone who aspires to understand the Age of Senescence. The pages offer opportunities to stop and consider one's own impressions and abilities for future application. Plan to read this book slowly enough to absorb the many points about continued growth and care that Dr. Thomas puts forth.

One of the considerations for broadened thinking offered by Dr. Thomas is a "Reality" definition of independence on page 241. We all know that we did not reach adulthood without assistance from other people, and as we consider the interdependence of modern life we know, in our heart of hearts, that we are not completely independent of other people. Dr. Thomas moves the truth to a realization that we have choices in how we connect with each other.

I will be referring to this book many times in the future. It will be well-worn with use and occupying a place of value on my shelf. Because of this, should I meet anyone who should read it, they will receive a new copy from me. My copy will stay within reach.

[Jac · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not agree more with the premise of this book - that our society should treat our elders better - but I struggled to get through the writing. I was especially annoyed by the terminology that he invented, and the entire book was unnecessarily repetitive. I've heard that the Eden Alternative also captures his philosophy well - I believe it's more of instruction manual, and perhaps that has forced it to be more concise and well-written.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read this year. Get past the chapters on evolution, and the geriatric doctor has a fresh perspective on reasons and uses of the child, adult, and sage in each of us, and what we can do to assure quality years of significance for our aging population.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took some effort to read - I had tried once before when it was first published, but I had more stick-to-itiveness this time - and am thirteen years older - and pushed through.

Dr. Thomas and his wife founded the Eden Alternative philosophy, out of which has grown Green Houses, intentional communities in home-like settings for elders in need of assisted living, but MUCH preferable to institutional living. This book was published thirteen years ago and it seems the movement is very slow in progressing. Our society is so obsessed with denying aging that it's hard to find people, even among my circle of friends, who will confront it face on, plan for it, and embrace the offerings of the elder stage of life.

It was heartening to see in today's Oregonian an article about a Quaker retirement community in Newberg, OR that has partnered with George Fox University in a mutually beneficial relationship between residents and students. Dr. Thomas would, I am sure, rate it as excellent in bringing forth the ideal of an eldertopia.

I also recommend Being Mortal by Gawande and The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Chittester.

[Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas writes a book based on journal entries he kept while working as a gerontologist. His book is far-ranging, synthesizing material from medicine, biology, sociology, psychology, literature, and religion. In several chapters, he applies principles from evolutionary psychology. In others, he draws on principles of Buddhism--mainly the shift from doing to being that most older adults experience. He also describes in detail a few organizations that have adopted radical reforms to community living for older adults: The Eden Alternative and Green Houses.

His main purpose is to refute the dominate framework on older adults as people in a decline. Instead, he emphasizes the strengths enjoyed by late adults, primarily their ability to adapt physically, emotionally and spiritually.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked some of the author's ideas, but thought they were somewhat visionary and unfortunately not very realistic. The style of the book was, in short, cumbersome. There were a few good examples, and I did like the questions he raised, and his attitude toward aging, however, reading this book was a bit difficult due to the style. Being Mortal was a much better treatment of a similar topic, as more concrete solutions were offer, including - HOPE!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Dr. Thomas' response to an earlier work by Dr. Miller on aging "Why Survive." Thomas presents some ideas of human growth and transformation in later adulthood that are helpful in counteracting the anti-aging bias of our culture.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't surprised to learn that elderly health problems are exacerbated by loneliness. Thomas wrote about Green Houses where elderly live in residential areas in regular homes so that relationships with people of diversity of ages and cultures can occur. Great idea!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love dr. thomas

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

just started....

[Janelle Wadman]

I am a physical therapy student reading this book for a geriatrics class. At first the size of the book (in addition to all the other material I am required to read for classes) seemed daunting. Now that I am half way into the book I am beginning to see the method to my professors madness. It has completely changed my outlook on the geriatric population and illuminated the ageist society in which we currently live. It has even given me the foresight to start thinking about the future when I am counted as one of the elders. I LOVE this book, and I would recommend it to anyone, old or young. It will change the way you view life.