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The courage to be a geriatrician.

James L Wright¹

¹Adaptive Geriatrics, On-Site Medical Care, Richmond, Virginia.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

|May 8, 2014

Summary

This essay explores finding inherent value in nursing home residents, challenging societal views that equate worth with achievement. It highlights the physician's journey to embrace the "courage to be," recognizing life's value irrespective of physical or mental capacity.

Keywords:

ageism dementia dependency long-term care quality of life religion

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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

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Area of Science:

Geriatric Medicine
Medical Ethics
Philosophy of Life

Background:

Nursing homes are often perceived negatively, evoking fear and highlighting personal frailty.
Societal emphasis on actions and achievements devalues individuals with declining abilities.
Physicians may struggle with ingrained prejudices against the elderly and infirm.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore a physician's personal struggle in finding value in nursing home residents' lives.
To challenge the cultural notion that life's meaning is contingent on accomplishments.
To examine the concept of

Main Methods:

Qualitative reflection on physician's experiences and evolving perspectives.
Exploration of philosophical concepts, specifically Paul Tillich's "courage to be."
Analysis of the tension between societal values and the inherent worth of individuals.

Main Results:

The physician found a way to value residents beyond their functional capacities.
Discovering meaning independent of life's successes and failures was key.
Recognizing the inherent value of life, regardless of ability, fostered this shift.

Conclusions:

The physician developed the "courage to be" to resist prejudices against the elderly and infirm.
Insisting on life's value as is, irrespective of human ability, is crucial.
This perspective offers a framework for finding meaning and dignity in long-term care settings.