Elderhood rising -- the dawn of a new world age | Bill Thomas | TEDxSF

Summary

The speaker, a geriatrician, highlights the growing disconnect between society’s aging population and the dwindling number of specialists equipped to care for them. He argues that ageism, coupled with an obsession with youth and adulthood, is to blame. As Baby Boomers age, they face the challenge of transitioning from adulthood to elderhood, a stage that society undervalues. The speaker advocates for redesigning the human life cycle to embrace elderhood, emphasizing its wisdom and necessity in a society run by adults without elder guidance. Aging, he asserts, is not a problem but a key to our humanity.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ Geriatricians are rare in the U.S., with only 6,000 serving a population of 300 million.
• 📉 The number of geriatricians is declining, despite an aging society.
• 👴 The issue is not aging itself but society's obsession with youth and adulthood.
• 🔄 Society is structured around three life stages: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, but this cycle is unbalanced.
• 💥 The Baby Boomer generation has shaped and magnified the stages of life, particularly adulthood.
• 📚 The obsession with productivity and busyness has distorted adulthood, making it hyperactive and overextended.
• 👶 Children today experience an 'adultified childhood,' driven by the expectations of the Baby Boomer generation.
• 🚫 Older people in society are often measured by what they can still do, diminishing their value if they lose abilities.
• 🏥 Many elderly individuals are institutionalized, not because of illness, but due to frailty, with nursing homes outnumbering Starbucks.
• 🧓 The speaker advocates for a new stage of life, 'elderhood,' which is rich, meaningful, and necessary for a balanced society.

Q & A

Why does the speaker describe geriatricians as a 'rare breed'?

The speaker highlights that there are only 6,000 geriatricians in the U.S., a nation of 300 million people, and that this number is declining, making geriatricians rare in the medical field.

What is the main reason the speaker gives for the shrinking number of doctors prepared to take care of older people?

The speaker attributes the shrinking number of geriatricians to ageism, which devalues aging and the elderly in society, making it less appealing for doctors to specialize in the care of older people.

How does the speaker describe society's attitude toward aging and older people?

The speaker explains that society tends to view aging as a problem and devalues older people unless they can 'still' do things associated with youth, which contributes to the marginalization of the elderly.

What cultural shift does the speaker identify that has occurred with the baby boomer generation?

The speaker notes that the baby boomer generation has had the power to reshape culture throughout their lives, from adolescence to adulthood, magnifying the stages of life they occupy and influencing societal values.

What does the speaker mean by 'adultified childhood'?

The speaker uses the term 'adultified childhood' to describe how younger generations, especially the children of baby boomers, experienced childhood as a preparation for adulthood, with an emphasis on productivity and achievement.

Why does the speaker criticize the societal emphasis on the word 'still' when describing older people?

The speaker criticizes the use of 'still' because it implies that older people are only valued if they can continue doing things typically associated with youth, reinforcing ageist attitudes that diminish their worth if they become frail or less capable.

What is the speaker’s view on America's treatment of frail older adults?

The speaker condemns the fact that many older adults are institutionalized in nursing homes for the 'crime' of frailty, comparing it to a life sentence without parole, and argues that this reflects society's disregard for aging and frailty.

How does the speaker propose we address the issues caused by the overemphasis on adulthood in society?

The speaker advocates for 'deflating adulthood' and rebalancing the life cycle by embracing the stage of elderhood, which would provide an alternative to the relentless focus on youthful adulthood and help society recognize the value of older adults.

What does the speaker predict will happen as the baby boomer generation transitions into elderhood?

The speaker predicts that as baby boomers age, they will struggle to accept the end of adulthood, leading to a cultural shift where society begins to recognize and value the stage of elderhood, which will open up new possibilities for older adults.

What is the speaker’s ultimate message about aging and elderhood?

The speaker's message is that aging should be embraced, as elderhood is a real and meaningful stage of life. The speaker emphasizes that elderhood can offer wisdom and guidance, and society must redesign its life cycle to balance the stages and fully include older adults.