Tom Brokaw is widely acknowledged as
being the one who captured the essence of those who fought and defeated both
a worldwide Great Depression, and then an Axis of three nations whose
madness for world domination threatened all we hold near and dear. He has
called this group born in the first third of the last century �The
Greatest Generation,� and Brokaw�s genius truly was in capturing in a
phrase what many have long acknowledged and most of us have long thought.
Hard as it is to imagine � for those
of us who grew up in the �50s and �60s with this generation of strong,
wise and able folks as our parents and grandparents � but this greatest of
generations is aging, aged, and in many cases has lost a goodly number of
its own. And they deserve our very best efforts to ensure that their
remaining years are spent in as dignified and as caring an environment as
possible.
Of course, it�s always a risk (yet one
that members of the media never hesitate to take, and we are guilty of this
as well in this editorial) to brand a group or nation or generation as
�this� or �that,� knowing full well that such generalizing at times
amounts to trivializing, given the huge range of individual differences that
are always at play in any group. And speaking with such hyperbole of �the
greatest� would surely strike most members of this generally modest,
self-deprecating generation as unnecessary, exaggerated, or perhaps even
untrue �blanket blather,� blather in which today�s 24/7 media are so
eager to engage.
And yet � at least in this case, the
exception really DOES prove the rule. This truly was (and is) the greatest
generation, at least the greatest since that of our nation�s Founding
Fathers (and Mothers!). Consider a mere smattering of the accomplishments of
this group: turning America into the greatest, and now arguably the only,
superpower in the world; overcoming the darkest economic time in recent
history, and in the process building some of the finest dams, bridges,
buildings, roads and park systems this nation has ever seen; defeating
enemies in World War II whose military might and ambition make today�s
terrorists look almost amateurish by comparison; building a level of
prosperity for Americans that is the highest in world history; and producing
many if not most of the greatest works of art, literature and music of the
20th century.
So, with this �Greatest Generation�
in mind, we feature in this month�s Cooperative Living an array of
articles on the challenges, choices � and joys � of aging and of
providing care to the aging. As to the manifold choices that face the
elderly and their caregivers, one of the most agonizing and overwhelming
involves leaving a beloved home for new quarters, be they a smaller home, or
an independent, assisted, or nursing care arrangement at a retirement
community.
We offer three articles about this
difficult life choice, from the first-hand perspective of a senior citizen
who made such a move (page 25); from the perspective of her daughter who
helped her mom in moving this �mountain� (page 26); and from the vantage
point of a loving daughter-in-law, who helped her husband�s mother, since
deceased, find just the right nursing home (page 28).
We also offer two looks at the many
faces and facets of caregiving. First is our touching cover story (page 20)
on the arduous journey taken by Cindy Adams, her father and the rest of
their family as they dealt with the long, slow decline and death of her
mother from a form of dementia. In addition, this month�s Food for Thought
column (page 58) features a moving first-hand account of the daunting,
demanding, and draining tasks faced by caregivers. Both accounts feature
practical advice and guidance from these front-line caregiving veterans, and
both list sources and resources that can provide additional information and
assistance.
While often called �The Golden
Years,� we all recognize that senior citizenship is not a passport to good
health or happiness. It�s the mark of a survivor, though, one who has
weathered the storms and squalls that buffet the lives of all of us humans.
And those who have survived, who have endured, who in almost every instance
have contributed in ways large and small to bettering their communities,
deserve to be treated with dignity and respect as they enter Act Three of
their time on life�s stage.
By being a loving, helpful, sensitive
caregiver, those of us who are Baby Boomers or Gen Xers effectively give a
warm, affirming round of applause to members of this Greatest Generation, as
they take a long, much-deserved bow after having spent their time wisely and
very, very well.
