MGordon_MD
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Dec 19, 2006, 7:15 AM
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I have to admit to my bias.
I believe in the importance of the creative arts as a life force, which does not wane as one ages and can enhance the quality and fulfillment of the aging process.
For those involved in eldercare, the use of the creative arts often has a great therapeutic benefit on the function, well-being, and satisfaction of the elders we care for as family members and as health care professionals.
The source of my bias is personal and professional. My maternal grandmother, with whom I lived until her death when I was 12 years old, profoundly influenced my development and appreciation of music.
She sang in the Yiddish theatre. I would occasionally go with her to often extravaganza performances. I would sometimes accompany her on the piano during her practicing.
Although mother played the piano, her forte was dance. She was an excellent amateur dancer prior to getting married and continued to love dance throughout her lifetime, being involved with her senior center’s dance group until her final days.
She would schlep me to the New York City and American Ballet performances, and even with the cheapest seats somewhere in outer space, I was mesmerized by the grace and beauty. Perhaps most impressive was attending concerts of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, under the conductorship of the brilliant Leonard Bernstein.
So my bias in favor of the arts is well founded.
It took some time and exposure for it to develop professionally. Early on in my career at Baycrest, I had the good fortune of meeting Brucha Stern, a holocaust survivor, who at the time was a resident in the old Jewish Home for the Aged.
The first time I met her was during one of her many medical crises from which she miraculously recovered. I immediately connected to her because of her vibrant personality and learned that she was an accomplished late life artist whose pictures reflected brightness, joy, and a positive perspective on life.
Over a number of years, during which time she became quite ill episodically we would discuss art and discovered that she knew, as a co-student, my maternal grandfather, an amateur painter, who had studied at the Art Students League in New York at the same time as Brucha.
That revelation bonded our relationship.
After her death, when some of her pictures became available for internal display, I requested that two of them be hung outside my office where their bright and vibrant colors have delighted me for more than 15 years.
Over the years I have exchanged books with elderly patients of mine, discussed recordings of great works and musicians, given advice to concerned family members about providing music, books on tapes, joining a photography group, and participating in creative arts programs to give special meaning to living.
A recent most meaningful interaction with music and the care of our patients and residents at Baycrest involved my 16 year-old son Eytan.
While participating in an 11th grade co-op program at Baycrest where, among other things, he plays guitar, he connected through his music to a gentleman that had a very important role in my life and my career.
Dr. Abe Rapoport, a resident of the Apotex Centre, gently grabbed his hand after a guitar performance in a warm and appreciative manner. I told Eytan how meaningful it was to me that he brought joy to the man whose advice and support led me to Baycrest and Geriatrics more than 30 years ago: the extraordinary power of human relationships and connections through the arts.
Dr. Michael Gordon, is vice-president of medical services at Baycrest in Toronto, Canada, and co-author with Bart Mindszenthy of Parenting Your Parents.
Parenting Your Parents is available in bookstores and online at: Indigo-Chapters, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
For bulk orders email info@dundurn.com. Call: 416-214-5544 or Fax: 416-214-5556
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(This post was edited by MGordon_MD on Sep 24, 2007, 1:35 PM)
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