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

William H. Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2004

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

2005 Award Winner in Trade-book category -- American Medical Writers Association, September 2005

A ground-breaking book that should change forever the way we think about the meaning of aging. -- Harry R. Moody, International Longevity Center and Elderhostel

A seminal work and a call to arms--a struggle will (must) ensue. -- Arthur Rashap, Jefferson Area Board for Aging

Electrifying new book ... as revolutions go, this is one we've all been waiting for. -- N.Y. Daily News, September 26, 2004

On target! My head is spinning with where all of this can lead. -- Denise Hyde, Eden Alternative Regional Coordinator

Thomas takes on the role of the abolitionist as he challenges the fundamental orthodoxy of forever-young adulthood. -- The Washington Post, October 5, 2004

About the Author

William H. Thomas, M.D., is a Harvard Medical School graduate, an author, a geriatrician, a consultant for AARP, and a speaker to diverse health care professionals, academics, and other researchers. He is president of two not-for-profit organizations that promote holistic approaches to aging and elder care. Winner of the America's Award (established by Norman Vincent Peale and sometimes called "The Nobel Prize for Goodness"), the Molly Mettler Award from the Health Promotion Institute, and an award from the Giraffe Project (for sticking his neck out), Bill Thomas most recently has received a three-year fellowship from Ashoka, a global nonprofit organization that searches the world for social entrepreneurs--extraordinary individuals with unprecedented ideas for change in their communities.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 370 pages
• Publisher: Vanderwyk & Burnham; 1 edition (2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889242209
• ISBN-13: 978-1889242200
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #675,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Model for Long-Term Care and Human Transformation April 7, 2005

By Carla Libby Gentry

Format:Hardcover

I found this book to be interesting, challenging and easy to read. Part of the time it reads like a good novel, but each page is packed with jewels of information and ideas. The ideas in this book are being discussed by professionals in long-term care and the book presents a challenge to the traditional theories of aging and reframes the human aging process as part of a larger process of human development.

In terms of human development, our cultural biases against older adults (elders) is pointed out and how our society wants to keep people locked into adulthood has been exposed.

Elderhood was an important part of human culture in pre-industrial societ and Dr. Thomas advocates for the role of elder to be rediscovered and brought back into theories of human development.

I especially liked Dr. Thomas's use of the five ages of the lifecycle and his discussion on DOING and BEING. This was reminiscent in my mind of material I covered when taking pastoral counseling courses and how important it is to get people to feel comfortable just being human and being loved, cared for, and honored. Our society does have a focus on DOING and Dr. Thomas does and excellent job of placing this cultural critique and mode of living under the microscope. Rather than utilizing psychological terms, Thomas explains the importance of BEING in simple to understand and utilize terms.

The chapter that discussed the assault on childhood reminded me of Strauss and Howe's second book the 13th Generation, which pointed out the sociological trends that have impacted the lives of persons born from 1964 to 1980. This generation was robbed of its childhood and is the first post Baby Boom generation. Although Dr.... Thomas gives no indication of having read Strauss and Howe, this chapter covers many of the same themes and makes many similar social critiques.

I was expecting more hard data and solid statistics in this book since Dr. Thomas indicated in the preface that it was written as a response to Dr. Robert Butler's Why Survive. Unlike Dr. Butler's book, this book does not contain the same depth and breadth of statistics and policy analysis.

The new model for long-term care presented by Dr. Thomas is worthy of further study and this book does make a contribution to the field of gerontology in that the Green House model is innovative and worthy of putting into practice. I look forward to reading the journal articles that grow from this work.

In terms of who would benefit from this book and its contribution to the field of gerontology, I believe that it should be read by professional in the field solely for the manner in which it exposes the insidious nature of ageism in our society. Long-term care professionals will benefit from reading this book as would policy makers, politicians, and those seeking to improve the lives of human beings at every stage of human development. I recommend this book. I would enjoy hearing what others think about this book.

On a personal level, it has helped me identify some of my own biases and in that it has pointed me to areas where I need to work and grow on my human growth and transformation. A good book should do that. Read more ›

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great and inspiring book January 17, 2005

By Joy Loverde

Format:Hardcover

When I finish reading the last page of any book, I like to close the cover and spend a few moments reflecting on what I had just read. Sometimes I feel personally connected with the author as though he/she wrote the book for me and me alone. Other times, I am re-energized with a new awareness that propels me as I go about my day-to-day activities. Most often, I am inspired to look at life from another perspective - seeking to understand rather than being understood (this attitude comes in handy when I am repulsed by some of the things people say and do). Books also offer a sense of hope; that life on this earth, no matter what happens, is a gift from God. Finally, I am forever in awe of the power of the written word - one sentence can start a war while another offers peace to the dying.

WHAT ARE OLD PEOPLE FOR left me with these notions, and more. This is a book about kindness, about being human. I dare any adult to behave in the same way they did toward the elderly once they finish reading this book. In fact, I dare anyone to say one more negative thing about old people. Truth is... what we all have in common is the fact that we are aging. Like it or not, we are on our way to Tomorrow Land: A place where these old people will be replaced by us.

Bravo to Dr. Bill Thomas - for his guidance and vision. This book will undoubtedly help carve a new path on the subject of aging in America.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A revolutionary resource of ideas December 13, 2004

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save The World is a revolutionary resource of ideas presented by professional geriatrician William H. Thomas, M.D. Stressing the importance of learning to enjoy what aging has to offer, the need to replace today's nursing homes with positive alternatives so that elders need not fear institutionalization, suggestions for creating Green Houses where older people can live together intentionally, and recommending steps to build a society where aging, longevity, and the wisdom of the elderly are used to build an improved life for people of all ages, What Are Old People For? is a "must-read" in today's era when people are living longer than ever before. A keenly inspired look into the failings on an individual and cultural level that need to be rectified, as well as speculations upon the meaning of aging itself and practical applications to improve quality of life.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Blueprint for a Paradigm Shift November 4, 2004

By Morningstar Sun

Format:Hardcover

This is a "must read" book for everyone. It's an elegant book, in which Dr. Thomas is doing magnificent work in a field desperately requiring a lucid spotlight of hope. If you want to age gracefully and healthfully, first of all exercise. If you want to be valued for your age, your skills, your intellect and capacities, then read this book, and then pass it on to all the younger people you know -- and share it with all the people your own age...whatever that is. The United States doesn't really have a category such as "national treasures" except in the entertainment arena with the Lincoln Center honors...and yet each person aging (everyone does it) becomes just this, a national treasure of great value in each of their life worlds. Paraphrasing the great Pogo, Dr. Bill Thomas says of wrinkles: "Wrinkles are painless and harmless. They are us and we are them." Wrinkles are our individual medals of honor! Accepting them as badges of courage this book helps us to step into our rightful positions as leaders and guides to the rest of our society. Buy it! Share it! It really helps you shift your perception of your value as you age...gracefully and well. Did I say exercise was essential? It is.