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Adventures in Old Age

A candid look at aging, old age, and eldercare.

Aging
Eldercare, a Universe of Euphemisms

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on April 10, 2012

At nursing homes, there’s silence about death. It’s the overlooked, uninvited 13th fairy who condemns you to eternity. But this is no fairy tale; there’s no good fairy to induce a coma instead of death, and no Prince Charming to revive you with a kiss.

At nursing homes, there’s silence about death. It’s the overlooked, uninvited 13th fairy who condemns you to eternity. But this is no fairy tale; there’s no good fairy to induce a coma instead of death, and no Prince Charming to revive you with a kiss.

Education
Not Anonymous: Proof that Shakespeare Wrote Shakespeare

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on October 28, 2011

Shakespeare denial is a harmless diversion. No polar bears will die if we don’t take measures to correct it. It has the added benefit of being an economic stimulus. When you enter “Shakespeare authorship” into the Amazon search box, you get 728 books both for and against. (Okay, some trees die.)

Shakespeare denial is a harmless diversion. No polar bears will die if we don’t take measures to correct it. It has the added benefit of being an economic stimulus. When you enter “Shakespeare authorship” into the Amazon search box, you get 728 books both for and against. (Okay, some trees die.)

Dementia
Dementia: Can Pat Summit Score Against Alzheimer's?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on August 24, 2011

Basketball coaching requires a high level of cognitive organization. Pat Summit, age 59, just revealed she has early onset Alzheimer's. She plans to continue coaching, and says she will increasingly rely on her staff to help her. But will she be anything more than a figurehead? Will she reign in the fashion of the Queen of England, but not rule as a prime minister?

Basketball coaching requires a high level of cognitive organization. Pat Summit, age 59, just revealed she has early onset Alzheimer's. She plans to continue coaching, and says she will increasingly rely on her staff to help her. But will she be anything more than a figurehead? Will she reign in the fashion of the Queen of England, but not rule as a prime minister?

Autism
Autism: Is It Caused By A Toxic Womb?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on July 30, 2011

In graduate school, I had the interesting experience of working with Bruno Bettelheim at his then world-famous Orthogenic School. Bettelheim has received much posthumous bad press, some of it personal--allegations of physical abuse--and much of it professional--his idea that autism was caused by what he called an emotionally cold “refrigerator mother.”

In graduate school, I had the interesting experience of working with Bruno Bettelheim at his then world-famous Orthogenic School. Bettelheim has received much posthumous bad press, some of it personal--allegations of physical abuse--and much of it professional--his idea that autism was caused by what he called an emotionally cold “refrigerator mother.”

Wisdom
Our Debt Ceiling Crisis and the Onset of WWI–Is There a Difference?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on July 26, 2011

Keeping a promise is normally good for your emotional health. Plus, this wisdom is moral wisdom of the ages. Oath keeping is a pillar of all civilizations.

But both our current debt ceiling crisis and the onset of World War I indicate that a moral virtue—loyalty—can be a tragic flaw.

Keeping a promise is normally good for your emotional health. Plus, this wisdom is moral wisdom of the ages. Oath keeping is a pillar of all civilizations.

But both our current debt ceiling crisis and the onset of World War I indicate that a moral virtue—loyalty—can be a tragic flaw.

Infidelity
Strauss-Kahn: Is It OK Because It's Only Adultery?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on July 1, 2011

There seems to be some kind of attitude formation rule here: If an alleged criminal act is shown to be untrue, then we find relief when we are left with only a moral failing.

There seems to be some kind of attitude formation rule here: If an alleged criminal act is shown to be untrue, then we find relief when we are left with only a moral failing.

Career
Would A Weiner By Any Other Name Smell More Sweet?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on June 21, 2011

Now that our long national nightmare of Weinerhood is over, I have to say when you have the name Weiner, it doesn't help that your scandal was about your wiener. If your name were, say, Jones, strike that, Smith, you might not have been in the same amount of trouble.

Now that our long national nightmare of Weinerhood is over, I have to say when you have the name Weiner, it doesn't help that your scandal was about your wiener. If your name were, say, Jones, strike that, Smith, you might not have been in the same amount of trouble.

Fantasies
Confessions Of A Stay-At-Home Dad

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on June 18, 2011

I know what it’s like to be the only Y chromosome in the room, swimming in a sea of estrogen.

I didn’t start out in life to be a stay-at-home dad. I didn’t fantasize that I’d spend years laboring over my PhD, and get licensed as a psychologist to stay home kissing my wife at the door on her way to the car, saying, “Have a nice day dear.”

It just kind of happened.

I know what it’s like to be the only Y chromosome in the room, swimming in a sea of estrogen.

I didn’t start out in life to be a stay-at-home dad. I didn’t fantasize that I’d spend years laboring over my PhD, and get licensed as a psychologist to stay home kissing my wife at the door on her way to the car, saying, “Have a nice day dear.”

It just kind of happened.

Identity
Books: Women, Their Names, and the Stories They Tell

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on June 17, 2011

In writing about their names, women reveal what is most important about their sense of identity. They offer us new ways of thinking about the self--new psychological and spiritual insights drawn from ancient traditions, different religions, cultures, races, and age groups.

In writing about their names, women reveal what is most important about their sense of identity. They offer us new ways of thinking about the self--new psychological and spiritual insights drawn from ancient traditions, different religions, cultures, races, and age groups.

Forgiveness
How The Republicans Plan To Destroy Eldercare

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on May 27, 2011

Led by Paul Ryan, the Republicans' plans for the the poor and vulnerable elderly would be devastating, But who cares? Poor people don't vote.

Led by Paul Ryan, the Republicans' plans for the the poor and vulnerable elderly would be devastating, But who cares? Poor people don't vote.

Suicide
Assisted Suicide In the United States? Go West Old Man

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on May 22, 2011

George Costanza said: “I love a good nap, sometimes it’s the only thing getting me out of bed in the mornings.” Some people feel that way about life and the dirt nap.

George Costanza said: “I love a good nap, sometimes it’s the only thing getting me out of bed in the mornings.” Some people feel that way about life and the dirt nap.

Suicide
Assisted Suicide? How About A Dutch Treat?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on May 19, 2011

Is the sin of omission, allowing someone to die, less egregious than the sin of commission, killing them?

Is the sin of omission, allowing someone to die, less egregious than the sin of commission, killing them?

Depression
Are Stay-At-Home Moms Happier?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on May 8, 2011

Feminists assert that being home alone with the kids leads to social isolation. Neo-traditionalists counter employment is stressful, particularly when you're isolated from your kids. Who’s right? As in all things psychological, it depends.

Feminists assert that being home alone with the kids leads to social isolation. Neo-traditionalists counter employment is stressful, particularly when you're isolated from your kids. Who’s right? As in all things psychological, it depends.

Suicide
Is Suicide A Treatable Condition?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on May 3, 2011

When it comes to suicide, I go with the Animals: “It’s my life, and I’ll do what I want.” But, in the moment, I might find it hard to resist the urge to stop you from jumping.

When it comes to suicide, I go with the Animals: “It’s my life, and I’ll do what I want.” But, in the moment, I might find it hard to resist the urge to stop you from jumping.

Diet
Dieting: Put Lipstick On A Pig And It's Not A Pig

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on April 27, 2011

Dieters avoid foods they recognize as forbidden based on product name. When a dish is assigned an unhealthy name (pasta) it is seen as less healthy than when it's called by a healthy name (salad). Non-dieters do not avoid foods based on names and eat anything.

Dieters avoid foods they recognize as forbidden based on product name. When a dish is assigned an unhealthy name (pasta) it is seen as less healthy than when it's called by a healthy name (salad). Non-dieters do not avoid foods based on names and eat anything.

Pregnancy
Modern Aging Marvel: Amazing Suit Instantly Adds 30 Years!

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on April 26, 2011

When researchers wear these encumbering suits, simple tasks become daunting. You may start asking yourself why the denture cleaner is on the lowest shelf at the drug store, or why can’t I open this pill bottle, am I as feeble as a child? But, never mind, who can read the nose-bleed print anyway?

When researchers wear these encumbering suits, simple tasks become daunting. You may start asking yourself why the denture cleaner is on the lowest shelf at the drug store, or why can’t I open this pill bottle, am I as feeble as a child? But, never mind, who can read the nose-bleed print anyway?

Career
How to Pick Out a Nursing Home for Mom--Or Maybe Not

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on April 22, 2011

The bottom line is how long it takes to clean Mom’s bottom. But a nursing home has only to adhere to a minimum standard for bottom cleaners—like the astronaut asked if he gets scared: “No more scared than anyone sitting on a billion parts all built by the lowest bidder.”

The bottom line is how long it takes to clean Mom’s bottom. But a nursing home has only to adhere to a minimum standard for bottom cleaners—like the astronaut asked if he gets scared: “No more scared than anyone sitting on a billion parts all built by the lowest bidder.”

Psychiatry
Psychiatry Is A Dinosaur--Why Isn't It Extinct?

Ira Rosofsky Ph.D. on March 13, 2011

We don't need expensive psychiatrists to do most of what it is that expensive psychiatrists do.Those looking to wring savings out of our health care system could do worse than to eliminate them. 

We don't need expensive psychiatrists to do most of what it is that expensive psychiatrists do.Those looking to wring savings out of our health care system could do worse than to eliminate them.