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A Bitter Pill: How the Medical System Is Failing the Elderly Paperback – November 3, 2009

by John Sloan (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 8 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Greystone Books (November 3, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1553654552
  • ISBN-13: 978-1553654551
  • Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,203,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 starsMakes me want to stand up and cheer
By Kristi Swede VINE VOICE on November 1, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
As a person who takes care of the frail elderly in a hospital setting every working day, Dr. John Sloan's book makes me want to stand up and shout! It is as if he looked over my shoulder to see the insanity I deal with every day - elderly people who'd be better off at home, yet are now in a system designed to "rescue" the critically ill and injured, but only put them at risk while wasting valuable resources.

Some days, I can hardly bear to see what we do to/for our elderly, or what is considered the standard of care for people who are too frail to benefit from preposterous and potentially harmful interventions, yet aren't offered even the simplest kindnesses or basic interventions - hot tea, a warm blanket, an appetizing meal, or prompt toileting.

Dr. Sloan is no easier on the system which is sagging under the weight of care to a full house of those frail elderly who cannot and do not benefit from gee-whiz medicine, and daily regimens of three dozen pills, as the critically ill pile up in the ambulance bay and emergency room hallways.

Dozens of solutions are proposed every day. One of the simplest is offered here - compassionate, thoughtful, appropriate care of the elderly. Facing some very hard truths about what aging really involves, and how it inevitably ends, no matter how you intervene. But as Dr. Sloan shows, how you intervene does matter, but it doesn't always have to involve the heavy machinery of modern medicine.
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5.0 out of 5 starsTHE NEEDS OF THE FRAIL ELDERLY
By W. Sheridan on May 31, 2010
Format: Paperback
The North American population, along with the rest of humanity, is ageing at a predictable rate. Longevity is increasing, and the median age is on the rise. The United Nations predicts that the challenge of ageing will be one of the most important social issues of the 21st century. Most countries are NOT adequately preparing for this challenge.

Amongst the elderly, some are healthy and robust, but many are not. Dr. Sloan visits and attends to those seniors who are both frail and ill. Their numbers will only grow as longevity continues to increase and medical intervention continues to innovate. Regrettably however, conventional medical practices do NOT serve the needs of the frail.

As Dr. Sloan sees it, there is a radical disconnect between the methods of conventional medicine and the needs of the frail elderly. In most cases these people are suffering from multiple pathologies, their systems can no longer benefit from standardized medication, and their primary concerns are to maintain simple functions and gain some degree of comfort. More tests, more procedures, more drugs - none of these will any longer help.

What WILL help is to listen effectively to their articulated needs, and administer the kind of assistance that will restore functioning (walking, eating, etc.) and produce comfort (easing pain and constant worrying). None of this is really very hard to do - BUT it will only likely happen in the context of an understanding of both the benefits AND the limits of conventional medicine.

This is the case that Dr. Sloan makes. The available evidence clearly indicates that his is correct. The demographic trends now underway suggest that the current situation will only worsen.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsRequired Reading
By M. McConnell on September 22, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Dr. Sloan relies on his wealth of patient care experience and specific examples to articulate what is wrong with how we care for our elders. He does this without preaching or seeming condescending and I think that is a reflection of the passion and compassion that seem to have been the motivation for this work.

I highly recommend this to anyone in health care (like me) who cares for the elderly, is elderly, or has plans to become elderly.
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery humane book
By S. N. Rivera Burgos on August 13, 2011
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Very humane and inspiring book. Lots of ideas about caring for elders and for ourselves when the time comes. Dr.Sloan is totally dedicated to visiting his patients in their homes, he also cares about all the elderly, wherever they are and whoever they are. It's a beautiful book. Thank you Doctor!!!
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