Los Angeles Jewish Home

A Roundtable of Jewish Home Residents Takes on the Big 5

In a era that is redefining the way Americans age, many myths still surround what we can expect in our senior years. The Jewish Home recently brought together a group of residents to explore some of the attitudes that have traditionally cast doubt on the potential of senior years.

Myth 1 — Advanced Age Means Illness

While most seniors acknowledge making adjustments for changes in balance and eyesight, a vast majority of the routine challenges of aging are easily handled with good medical care, dietary accommodations, and physical conditioning, and do not impair functioning.

According to "Older Americans 2008," a federal study of how older Americans are faring, 54% of women and 43% of men report having arthritis, percentages that are actually far lower than was commonly supposed.

Though about half of senior Americans have high blood pressure, it is easily managed with medication. And as health care and awareness improve, fewer American seniors are battling heart disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cancer, and diabetes.

Myth 2 — Your Learning Days are Over

"That's a lot of baloney," says Dorothy Creager, 88, who teaches classes to fellow residents at the Jewish Home, and witnesses the transformation of people who, after years of living alone or in a learning-poor environment "come in with long faces and go out loving themselves."

The explosion of senior education opportunities in "Emeritus" universities and community colleges throughout the U.S. is another testament to the ongoing desire to learn, share, and apply knowledge at every stage of life.

Computer skills, arts training, and memory enhancement classes are all well-subscribed and appreciated by residents of the Home, who recognize that the exercise of the mind is a cornerstone of self-fulfillment and well-being at every age.

Myth 3 — Social Contact Declines

For the vast majority of us, social experience is simply matter of opportunity. Socializing among seniors is no different, and is facilitated in residential settings.

Given the proximity of people and events at places like the Jewish Home, resident Shelly Balzac, 81, pointed out, "It's actually pretty difficult to avoid the social interaction!" Mealtime conversations are often a whirlwind of exchanges about politics, the arts and current events, club and family news.

Resident Bette Dashoff, 85, finds it much easier to socialize today than she did living independently. Getting dressed and out to dinner with friends, while one of the great pleasures, became more and more of an effort. "The minute I came here," she said, referring to new social opportunities, "I became a different person."

Myth 4 — Depression is Inevitable with Age

While depression can affect older adults, it is not the norm as the "Older Americans 2008" report reveals. Only 17% of women and 11% of men experienced clinical depression when data were gathered between 1998-2004.

"Mood swings can and do happen," said Dorothy Creager, but she compares them, only half-jokingly, to teen mood swings.

"Health problems can be discouraging," noted Shelly Balzac. But like most seniors he's learned to adapt and accept the health challenges that come with aging.

When the blues set in, Irving Mandel, 90, takes a step back and counts his other blessings. His bottom line about being blue or bored is: "I don't have time for this!"

Myth 5 — Sexual Interest and Activity Decline

"Guess again!" said Dorothy Creager. "As long as we have blood in our veins, there is not a problem."

Jeannette Schlesinger, 83, also took exception to the myth. "I don't feel any differently than when I was a young woman," she said.

Ellis Simon, 85, pointed out that romance and sexual desire seem to be alive and well among members of his generation, pointing out the many couples who met and began relationships at the Home.

A recent University of Chicago research project reflects this never-give-up attitude, as well. Researchers found that most people 57-85 still consider sexuality to be an important part of their lives. Sexual activity is still common, the research found, among people in their 70s and well beyond.

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based journalist who also writes for WebMD.com, healthday.com, Weight Watchers, the Los Angeles Times and other publications.

Labels: Aging, Depression, Doheny, Feature Articles, Friendship, Illness, Learning, Longevity, Myths, Sexuality

At the Los Angeles Jewish Home, we understand that there is more to a person than body and mind. While we work hard to attend to the physical and intellectual needs of each person, we also know that in each person's spirit lies the source of their truest self.

Our beliefs define us. And attitudes about growing old, and especially about illness and suffering, are all affected by our belief structure. One person may feel suffering even in the absence of physical pain. Another may feel pain but not suffering.

How we handle life's difficulties, whether we see life as basically good or bad, is often a result — or an achievement — of our spiritual practice.

Spirituality and Aging

The rabbis believed that with aging comes wisdom. They believed that learning and experience over a lifetime leads to discernment and understanding. They also reminded us that we might live a lifetime before we discover what G-d wants from us or learn the meaning of our lives.

Consider two great biblical personalities — Abraham and Moses. Abraham first received God's call to leave for the land of Canaan when he was 75, and Moses heard the Lord's command at the burning bush when he was 80 years old! Fulfillment does not come to us until we are well prepared by life to receive it.

Still, many people fear growing old. Rather than welcoming the opportunity of each and every moment, they see advancing age as a time when physical abilities diminish, when they can no longer look after their own needs or stay in their own homes.

Psalms 71:9 best expresses the most basic fear of growing old when it says:

Do not cast me off in old age; when my
strength fails, do not abandon me.

But the anxieties of the moment must not blind us to the joy inherent in every day, or the immense achievement each one of our lives represents.

The Care of Our Elderly

Commandment number five of the Ten Commandments instructs us, saying:

Honor your father and your mother,
that your days may be lengthened...
Exodus, Chapter 20

The sages understood this commandment to mean that our responsibility — and the community's responsibility — is to ensure that our elderly are cared for. Indeed, if we practice this value, and teach it to succeeding generations, they will then care for us, thus extending our lives.

Enlightened care for our elderly is a function of our spiritual values. It respects the dignity of every individual no matter how old or infirm they are. It recognizes that our value as human beings is not determined by our productivity or by the size of our bank account, but by the fact that we were created in the image of G-d.

The Talmud teaches us that though we might be in the final stages of life — even in the process of dying — we are, each of us, as valuable, and invaluable, as any other living human being.

The Great Spiritual Questions

The Jewish Home is more than a place for Jewish elderly, for we serve people from diverse backgrounds and faiths. But our values are based in Jewish tradition and spirituality. Our beliefs about life and death and the dignity of every human life fuel our desire to care for our senior community with kindness and compassion.

We know that each soul must answer the great spiritual questions for him or herself. But here at the Jewish Home we seek to help seniors and their families find meaning and comfort from the wisdom and teachings, from the prayers, music and holy celebrations of our tradition.

Our spiritual and humanistic mission at the Los Angeles Jewish Home is to help ensure that no one in our community is overlooked or abandoned on life's long journey.

Rabbi Sheldon Pennes isthe Jack H. Skirball Director of Spiritual Life at the Los Angeles Jewish Home, where he oversees the many services and activities that educate, illuminate, and enrich the spiritual life and needs of those living in, or served by, the Home.

Labels: Aging, Feature Articles, For the Spirit, Judaism, Pennes

Jeanette Mednick has had her share of physical challenges recently. Like anyone who has made it to the age of 84, she has a twinge here and a pain there, but she also has a plan: "Get busy and stay positive," Jeanette says. "It's better than Tylenol!" As Jeanette and others with her ‘plan' well know, positive aging is more than a buzzword — it is a lifestyle and the future of senior living.

A Concept Comes of Age

The concept of positive aging has been around for decades, according to Dr. Edward Schneider, dean emeritus and professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California. What's new is its widespread acceptance and application, seen in reduced illness and disease, improved longevity and wellness, and increasing social involvement in our current generation of seniors.

Molly Forrest, CEO-President of the Jewish Home, identifies one of the keys to positive aging in an essential human trait. "Our greatest achievement as human beings is our ability to adapt to a changing environment. Taking a positive outlook toward challenges like aging allows us to adjust to what life requires," she says. "Positive aging means having a mindset to accept getting older as yet another step in life rather than the end of the journey."

Dr. Sherwin B. Nuland, the author of "The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being," identifies positive aging with the awareness of the new opportunities we have for improved health and emotional fulfillment.

Drop the Stereotypes

One way to begin aging positively is to distance yourself from the standard concept of an aging person. You might think 75-year-olds don't exercise, or that 85-year-olds don't play bridge. "Part of positive aging is rejecting the stereotypes!" Nuland says. "Strive for the best condition that your body and your mind is capable of. We shouldn't think that just because we have an ailment that all is lost."

Residents of the Jewish Home say that part of adapting to physical problems is to focus on life's good points. "I have a lot of things to be thankful for," says Jeanette Mednick. Bert Harrison, 88, agrees that a good attitude is key to successful aging. He makes an effort to stay cheerful. "You can be physically compromised and still have a great outlook on life," he says.

"Keep going," agrees Rose Wayne, 96, who walks as much as she can. William ("Bill") Jacobs, 91, plans to amp up his activity level and join a singing group. And Sandy Wisner, 82, remains positive despite hospitalizations and the implantation of a pacemaker. "This, too, shall pass!" she says. "I am going to get better."

Who is Good at Positive Aging?

Women have an advantage in the ability to age positively, doctors agree, primarily because they have more developed social networks.Personal factors also play a role, according to Nuland. If you were an optimist in your youth and middle age, chances are you'll get into the swing of positive aging. But you can always learn to be more optimistic. The first step of positive aging, he says, is overcoming what the previous generation said aging should be.

Taking Advantage of Social Opportunities

No one can age positively when they're always alone, experts say. "People need to be a part of the fabric of the community, to participate and feel the joy of giving back," Forrest says. Taking part in organized groups and volunteer work offer people a chance to feel like their life matters.

"Residents at the Jewish Home are aging more positively and successfully than the average person," Schneider adds, attributing this in part to the Home's medical care and support, along with the opportunities for healthy living.

Positive aging isn't a special talent or gift, or limited to a chosen few. It belongs to all of us who take advantage of the plentiful opportunities for physical, mental, and social stimulation, while maintaining the good attitude that make them all possible.

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based journalist who also writes for WebMD.com, healthday.com, Weight Watchers, the Los Angeles Times and other publications.

Labels: Aging, Doheny, Feature Articles, For the Mind

Labels: Feature Articles, Fitness, For the Body, Health