This rant is not about technology - it's about communicating. In one short week, we have read about a doctor who refused to turn off a pacemaker in a frail and demented man ('it would be like putting a pillow over his head') -- at the request of his wife who was falling apart caring for him. We have learned that doctors now recognize hospital-stay induced delirium among the elderly -- and (wow!) even see that it can lead to dementia or death.  And we read an AARP Bulletin 'human interest' story about a woman who escaped from a nursing home, where she had been placed after discharge from a hospital. >>> Read more . . .

AARP celebrates 67-year-old woman's 'escape' from nursing home into her own apartment with the help of a long list of service providers and government-funded programs.

CONYERS, GA, May 18, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) CEO reported today that they are very pleased with the insights and progress resulting from their ongoing elder care robot trials. They initiated these world's first personal companion robot trials late last fall focused on assisting families caring for their elderly parents.

GeckoSystems is a dynamic leader in the emerging mobile robotics industry revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions for Safety, Security and Service(TM)." >>> Read more . . .

Caregiver helps her mother in decision to move into a retirement community.

Anne Osmer, 83-year-old student pilot, takes a solo flight.

Long-term care insurance -- still in the health bill.

It seems as though there is a seasonal cluster to everything -- conferences (spring and fall), concerts (fall through spring), and... communication about surveys and studies. During the fall of studies announcements, we've seen some interesting and sometimes ironic juxtapositions: >>> Read more . . .

Research about centenarians. Will Clark, now 105, just acquired his first computer, which he uses to email friends and to research authors and golfers in which he’s interested.

Okay -- it's another rant. Last week at a UCLA panel I was on, an exasperated audience member asked for a definition of 'senior', annoyed at what sounded like stereotypical patronizing about technology use. I stupidly responded that it was a census definition of age 65+. Actually the census categorizes percentages multiple ways: 60-plus, 62-plus, 65-plus, and 75-plus. Wish everyone did that. Sixty-five is the year of Medicare eligibility, it was once the year for pensions and mandatory retirement and for many it is the year of full Social Security eligibility. It has been used as a political demographic, synonymous with 'seniors' as in the example of the  $250 stimulus check to seniors. >>> Read more . . .

You know and I know that all older adults do not love and relate to their computers. And their computers are not loveable. I will spare you a rant this time and not count the ways. For those who are uncomfortable with their computers, there are a host of imperfect alternatives to 'help.' >>> Read more . . .