Successful Aging (of note)

"...there is ample evidence that many elderly people
regard themselves as happy and well, even in the presence
of disease or disability. Doctors should be aware
that many elderly people consider themselves to have
aged successfully, whereas classifications based on
traditional medical models do not..."

(From What is successful Ageing and who should define it? by Ann Bowling and Paul Dieppe, British Medical Journal 2006)

weblinks http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/1559/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aging


of note

have you been back
where you used to go?
to the old part of town
a drawer full of old clothes
fate

dark clothing, flat shoes
got so many wrinkles I can
screw my own knickers on
what I remember is
history

saw the Mayflower
coming in here on a Friday
I have memories of long washing lines
stretch from one place to
another

field: poultry, milking cows
my daughters want to go back
because they’ve never lived it
they talk about the way things
were

it’s good to be put on earth
money doesn’t come into it
learning to slow down: a hard lesson
working in kitchens of
stone

I’ve not composed any music
nothing of note
what have you and I done
except the pas de
double?

speak poem
Phyllis Hollinshead, Harry and Beaty Wantling, Hilda Hewitt, Bob Mather
2007

thistle in may

it’s a slow process all the flowers waking
caution restricts the tulip field
snowdrops the first
the trees blessing daffodils
the light, a relief
a relief (the darling)
comes slowly
you squirm: God, I’m coming to life
seize the sun
the sky-blue, the buttercup
take your part in the human race
attend all your check-ups
cut a thistle in May
the dancing season has started
little flowers pink and jump
blooms as big as cabbageheads
(follow all dietary recommendations)
cut it in June
it’ll be back soon

speak poem
February 2009

Further info, from Better Health Channel website, Victorian Department of Human Services, Australia
During convalescence, it may be beneficial to set goals for each day which will aid in your recovery. Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions include:
* Too much bed rest in most cases isn't good for you, particularly if you are elderly. Maintain some level of activity, even if it means just sitting or standing up occasionally. Try getting dressed and moving around the house if possible.
* Ensure your muscles, heart and lungs are working efficiently by gradually increasing your level of activity each day.
* Make sure you get enough rest. Listen to your body and alternate periods of activity with periods of relaxation. Be prepared to say 'no' to things you can't cope with and visitors you don't want to see.
* Keep in touch with family and friends and maintain your social activity, even by telephone.
* Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. If your appetite is poor, try eating small amounts of nutritious foods regularly. Remember that eating well is more important than eating more.
* As your strength returns, find time to do things you enjoy. Keep up with hobbies and aim to get out of the house regularly, even for short outings.

Mental health

‘if you had money that was the turning:
it was rules of thumb
if you had money
you were eccentric
if you were middle class
had a nervous breakdown
if you were working class
you were barmy.’

anon
Cherry Tree Hospital, Stockport
2009

"It's easy to think that mental health issues don't concern us but in fact a quarter of us will have problems with our mental wellbeing at some time in our lives."NHS choices website

Age

the depth, the death
of winter as you grow older
everything fades becomes fuzzy
the depth the very cold
retreat from Moscow
you cope just cope
think of Napoleon retreating
have a picture in my mind
Napoleon in a sledge
arthiritis
a stroke
diabetic
still ticking over
we, the cold

anon
2009

have you any thoughts or observations on the aging process? we would love to hear from you....

Strokes

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disturbed.
Like all organs, our brain needs the oxygen and nutrients provided by our blood to function properly. If the supply of blood is restricted or stopped, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain damage and possibly death. NHS choices website

‘I get on with life hour to hour
have to accept, get on with it
strokes – don’t know what you’re facing
everyone lonely in their own way
but you can’t take it out on other people
got to get on a journey
soulsearching.’

anon 2009

‘It was explained by my daughter. She said: ‘Dad you’ve had a stroke.’ They had to find out what bit of me was affected. Initially speech was and then I found my arms (especially the lef) did not have the usual mobility. I still don’t know exactly what it was. I assume a small vein in my brain. I am 78, so one must expect things to go wrong…’

anon 2009

Have you or someone you care for had a stroke? what are your experiences of it? good and bad, we would love to hear your thoughts.....

Care

‘I tell you the truth, I say a prayer for everybody, all the nurses. The service of the nurses and doctors. The patience…’

‘2 and 6, 3 and 6, pay
the doctor, the ambulance
the hope that a neighbour would give you a piggyback
had to pay before Aneuryn Bevan
Ive fought hard for the Health Service
… thank god for Bevan
glasses and teeth and eyetests…’

anon 2009


what are your experiences of health CARE ? good and bad, we would love to hear your thoughts.....

Dehydration

‘Electricity in your head. Feel your head going, it’s as if it’s not there – as if the head part is not quite secure. It’s a peculiar feeling.’ anon 2009

The human body is about two-thirds (approximately 70%) water. Water is essential to the normal working of your body. It lubricates the joints and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins, and keeps skin healthy.
Dehydration occurs when the normal water content of your body is reduced. This leads to a change in the vital balance of chemical substances in your body, especially sodium (salt) and potassium. In order to function properly, many of the body's cells depend on these substances being maintained at the correct levels.NHS choices website

Cancer

Cancer is a term that is used to refer to a number of conditions where the body's cells begin to grow and reproduce in an uncontrollable way. This rapid growth of cancerous cells is known as a malignant tumour. These cells can then invade and destroy healthy tissue, including organs. (NHS Choices Website)


‘Since New Year’s Eve I’ve been in this bed – 13 weeks. I’ve been in and out three years. I’m fed by a peg in my stomach, I don’t take any food at all. Or drink. That machine feeds me overnight and in the day they pump me full of water.

People are ready to grumble and pull the NHS down. The doctors and nurses couldn’t be more helpful. We all have dull days; the nurses try to be pleasant.

They found cancer…’

and Diabetes

"Over 2 million people in England are living with diabetes. Many more have the condition but don’t know it. Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms. The causes of both types are different, but both result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood." (NHS choices website)

The following was written by a gentleman who had just discovered he had the condition..


and diabetes
for four days
so no sugar on my wheatabix
wheatabix without sugar kind of dead

didn’t like it at all
like my bounty bar
couldn’t have them
do a test
if it comes up plus
they tell you
‘good Lord that’s high’
nothing I can do about it


Gerald (Gerry) Manley
31st October 2008


We would be really interested to hear about your experiences of living with Diabetes, please feel free to post them here.

introduction

Arts organisation arthur+martha are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant from Awards for All, to work on the project ‘Patience’.

Over the next year we will work with hospital patients, staff and visitors, creating an insider’s guide to illness using poetic language and artworks. Patients can use it to share their experiences of living with ill health and to decipher medical jargon. For staff it will be an opportunity to convey their insights on care.

The poems, drawings, photographs, sculptures and testimonies will be reproduced in individual pamphlets, circulated in wards and GP surgeries, and other venues. The collection, which will focus on the experiences of older people, will be exhibited and published as a book

The main elements of this project will be carried out in various venues in Stockport, North West England. We also invite you to add your experiences of living with ill health, either here, or you can email your thoughts to philipjohndavenport@hotmail.com
Thanks
arthur+martha