Thanks for visiting and for leading the way with your diary.  

I once attended a training where we talked about the concentric circles of elder care, in which the elder is at the center, with direct care workers, nursing, management, the Board of Directors, and the larger community surrounding them in expanding circles.  A Native American friend (Ray Spirit Wolf) was attending the training too, and he made an observation that has stayed with me.  He said instead of concentric circles, what if we considered those elements along a spiral, so that no lines separated elders, direct care workers, nurses, management, the BoD and the community?  

BTW, I have since seen this image below used to illustrate person-directed care.  I like the way it recognizes the environment and workplace practices as critical elements to consider.

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Hi Bob Threefeather, I believe your description of the role of the elders in tribal life is beautiful, and is what the culture change movement strives for, the reclaiming of the rightful place of elders in our society.  Where did that respect go?  What has happened to us?  We are impoverished by taking elders out of the center of our collective lives.  Walk with us and share your wisdom and vision of where we need to get back to.  Please keep writing and speaking, tell the story to reawaken our imagining of what life should be like.  Thank you.  Karen

Dear Bob Threefeather,

Thank you so much for YOUR wisdom! At 52, I think of myself both as an active listener to Elder's stories, and as a newly emerging "Elder" myself.

After nearly two decades of paid and non-paid service to adults who have been deemed "mentally incompetent," I can assert with great confidence that the current medical model not only denies the essential role of our Elders, it also misses the crucial point that simply having a role promotes health; not only for the Elders themselves, but also for those around them.

Also, I would add that storytelling can come in many forms, including nonverbal ones. Just slowing down for a moment and observing the story that Elders embody with their movements, expressions, and mature character can be quite educational. In the East there is high value put on those who can adopt a "beginner's mind" or a kind of mindfulness that is receptive to change and new information.

I am heartened by your stories, as I am by the many dedicated and determined caregivers who DO find the time to consider the whole person embodied by the Elder, no matter what label is put on them. Perhaps soon we will be able to provide an answer to the 86 year-old woman (labeled "severely demented") who joined many other Elders I've known when she poigantly asked me: "Charlie, WHO AM I?."  

I believe that this is what the american culture is missing. It would be wonderful if our culture could someday resemble native american culture and values concerning older adults. In my opinion older adults are the wise and should recieve the upmost respect of the younger generations.

Hello Bob and Wado (thank you) for sharing your story.  Mother and I live waaayyyy up in the mountains of Virginia ourselves and I am Cherokee Paint Clan.  Mother recently had to be placed in a nursing home due to several fractures one right after the other and my eyes have been opened wide to the standard of care offered by this system, which stinks.  I see the focus on youth and no respect for our elders it pains me greatly to expereince this.  Our elders as you said are highly honored and the culture that has made up the american way has values turned completely upside. We are many in number that are walking through the expereince with our Elders and this is a great chance for us all to make a difference now.  The sacredness of life in all the cycles must be honored to mend the hoop and now is the time.  Thank you all for being here and sharing because until today I thought we was alone in the system and this is what standard nursing home brainwashing is, to isolate and intimidate into submission for patient and care givers.  Let us pray and ask for guidance for all and walk in peace mending the hoop, aho.