When Elder Capabilities Wane

To me, one of the keys is to talk about this issue with your children before it becomes an issue. Discuss what you will do and what you expect your child to do. Pledge to be honest with one another.

And, of course, we ourselves must be willing to face the truth when it happens to us.

I am pragmatic by nature and I hope that includes being honest with myself. I know that I am not as sharp as I used to be. I no longer think fast on my feet, have short term memory loss, and sometimes become confused.

All of the above is frightening, but I recognize that I need to make the adjustments necessary and not try to do something that I am no longer capable of. Just as I can no longer run or scream I can no longer trust myself to make quick decisions. I don't try to do either one. I think it's the responsibility of the elder to admit to him/herself the limitations that he/she has and to stick to what we can still do.

I was unable to watch the video, so perhaps my comment is inappropriate, but I think the brain surgeon well knows that he should no longer perform surgery and quit on his own.

One of the major symptoms of some types of dementia is the inability to recognize that you have a problem. That's why so many who have impaired cognition refuse to give up driving. It's a major, major issue & for all concerned, it is very difficult to deal with. Dee

I was the patient of a dentist who was gradually disabled by Parkinsons. He was really, really skilled at dentistry and consequently was able to hold doing diagnosis and sending patients out for complicated procedures. Then one day, he knew it was too much, sold the practice quickly, and was gone.

I found his adaptation admirable.

Darlene is correct; getting old is frightening. To me, the most terrifying part is knowing that something (maybe a series of somethings) bad is inevitably going to strike, but not knowing what, or when. It is like knowing a mugger is going to jump out from behind a door or bush to assault me, but never knowing where or when.

I lost all respect for Sanjay Gupta when he piled on Michael Moore after... I think it was "Sicko" came out. He was so hateful. I'd have a hard time believing anything he said. But if you say it's a good show, and if it comes to Sweden, I'll give it a try.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, this post is not a review and having seen only one episode, I have no idea if the show is is good enough for me to recommend.

I am interested for its handling of serious elder issue - not something television does much of.

I would hope surgeons, above all, would recognize and admit when the hands are no longer steady or the vision no longer clear. I think most, no matter how much they love medicine, know the patient's welfare always comes first. My dad, an ob/gyn, stopped doing surgery long before he retired from active practice. He still had an immense store of knowledge and expertise to offer through diagnosis, treatment, and the teaching of others that did not require doing surgery.

I had a very different reaction to the video. I found the whole situation quite unrealistic.

Doesn't the hospital use a Surgical Checklist before beginning surgery to be sure that they're doing the right operation on the right patient on the correct part of the body. It's the responsibility of each person on the surgical team to speak up if something seems wrong. They are not to defer to the surgeon.

Dr. Atul Gwande has written a detailed book about the use of checklists.

Recently, I had cataract surgery on my right eye and two weeks later on my left. Every one, including the anesthesiologist, asked me my name, date of birth, and which eye was to be operated on. Info regarding which eye was to be operated on was stamped on my forehead above that eye and a bracelet was put on the corresponding wrist.

Wow, powerful performance by all. What grabbed me is when Hal Holbrook asked "Did you call me on that and if you didn't why not?.

I experienced watching someone who was trying to get his driver's license renewed who clearly shouldn't have passed. He was begging the clerk to help him along and she was trying to do what she could.

I love the freedom of driving and dread the day when I'll no longer be fit to.

Jan's comment looks this issue right in the face with the best hope of a decent transition, and Dee's point is also something that has to be considered: How vital it is to have these conversations now, so your loved one's know what you want!