Longevity's opportunity: life by design, part two

Karen Shimada, Executive Director, Life by Design NW

Fifty-five years ago, many sociologists and other science-type people were really getting into investigating such topics as “Gerontology (Later Maturity).” Up till then any science-based information on aging pretty much focused on caring for less-than-able old people. More disturbingly, sketchy ideas based on less than sound research were fueling policymakers’ decisions. Dr. Irving Lorge helped in turning that around.

In his 1955 review, Lorge presents an accounting of published scientific papers re: old age. Lorge notes that some researchers approached and viewed old age as negative, some positive, and there’s the hazard that “the researcher finds what he seeks.”

Many of these 50-year plus concepts permeate present views on aging. Some excerpts:
 

Tami Matthews, Communications Manager, Life by Design NW

--a person is as old as his self concept (R. I. Watson);
--happy old people are more alert and flexible than the unhappy old (D. Lebo);
--three-generation households provide extra difficulties in interpersonal living (M. Koller);
--the chronically ill are less happy than the normal old (M. J. Mack);
--the ill don’t see themselves different from normal old (M. J. Mack);
--group therapy can bring great improvement in 45% senile women (M. E. Linden);
--the retired constitute a new leisure class (L. C. Michelon);
--prolonged inactivity and the absence of marked positive interests lead to mental and physical ill-health in the aged, more among men than women (R. J. Myers);
--senile dementia is not an advanced phenomenon of normal old age but is qualitatively and quantitatively different from normal senescent decline (H. Dorken, Jr.);
--a large number of the old show indifference to the [intelligence] test, and many more refused to do it (E. Calogera);
--aircrewmen display a decreased motivation for flying with increments in age (R. A. McFarland);
--continuous physical activity may inhibit the negative aspects of physical aging (E. Jokl);
--the Cleveland Survey of Retired Men casts doubt on the so-called difficulties of postretirement adjustment (S. L. Payne);
--industry must capitalize on the skills of the older worker (C. Fleming);
--and further, redesign jobs to make for maximal utilization of man-power potential (S. Barkin);
--the data on employability show negligible age differences but great variability at every age.

The Discussion section concludes that “Society is well advised to give help to the [old] needy.”
 

Shimada, Ronningen, and Matthews (seated)

And oila! Some of the brighter minds in the Portland area recognized the escalating boomer need in our area and ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT. After about two years in gestation, Life by Design Northwest (LBDNW) is now toddling about, so to speak, and already nationally recognized for their contribution to the community. Some partners, donors, and sponsors include Multnomah County Library, NW Natural Gas, Portland State University, Portland Community College, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Meyer Memorial Trust, The Collins Foundation, AARP, and more. So what does Life by Design Northwest do?

Well, boomers and Longevity Readers listen up. One of LBDNW’s guiding principles is founded on designing one’s life. What have you had a hankering to do? How far have you gotten with it? Retirement, and possibly plain unemployment, can be seen as an opening allowing closer realization to those dreams and talents yet hidden or perhaps dormant. Or one can use LBDNW to simply ride into further realization of one’s more obvious skills.

How does one touch that inner being of desire and talent to pitch blindingly into one’s future? Well, guidance is available: Classes, groups, one-on-one discussion. How to navigate that territory is part of LBDNW’s charm.

When asked about any particularly notable constituents, Karen Shimada, Executive Director, remembers a conversation with a ninety-year old woman who had come to their office. When Shimada asked how she could help, the woman replied, “Oh, I’m not here for me! It’s my son. He’s sixty-four years old and floundering about. I don’t know what to do for him!” Was LBDNW able to help out? You bet.

Just to visit their web site allows an excess of opportunities. And if you use “Search” lots more will appear. (For example, try searching “Classes.”) Contact them by telephoning 503.731.6650 or email questions to info@lifebydesignnw.org. Today is not too soon.

And like all good things, Life by Design Northwest needs your support. Happily, a person can watch an award-winning movie too at next week-end’s benefit event!

Not Dead Yet by Portland’s Hot Flash Films will be showing at the Hollywood Theater April 23 and April 24. It’s a benefit showing for several organizations; be sure to specify your intention is to benefit LBDNW. Friday night tickets newly discounted to $25.00 includes wine and appetizers. Mingle and watch the film; 6-9:p.m. Saturday’s screening begins at 7:p.m. and tickets are only $15.00. Feel free to contact LBDNW if you need more information. Thanks.

Photos by Mickey Ronningen