In This Episode:
Dr. K talks with geriatrician Bill Thomas, MD, founder of ChangingAging.org, the Eden Alternative, and the Green House Project. They discuss his recent efforts to counter ageism and his latest housing-related projects, including:
- What is ageism and why is it so pervasive
- The stories we tell ourselves about aging (including our own aging) and youth
- Thinking about lifespan in terms of childhood, adulthood, and elderhood
- Why it’s a problem for older adults to cling to “adulthood” as part of their identities
- The words we use and why we might embrace the term “elder”
- How having “too much house” is risky in aging, and how a Minka house might help
- How Bill Thomas is planning for his own aging
- His plan to pilot a “Multi-Ability, multiGenerational, Inclusive, Community” (“MAGIC”) in 2018
Related episode:
035 – Interview: Aging in the Right Place
Related Resources:
- ChangingAging.org:
- Independence Rising (Nov 2017 article by Bill Thomas)
- Minka (includes pictures)
- MyMinka.com
- Senior Living Innovator Bill Thomas Introduces MAGIC Housing Model
- We’re lucky if we get to be old, physician and professor believes
- Reframing Aging
- When It Comes to Older Adults, Language Matters: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
- Experiences from Pagan Women: A Closer Look at Croning Rituals
I listened to your podcast with Dr. Thomas last week – kudos! I am a new fan of your work!
Glad you enjoyed the episode. Dr. Thomas is doing especially interesting and exciting work, and will hopefully be back on the podcast in late 2018 to talk about how his projects are progressing.
I am so excited about the work Dr Thomas is doing! I heard him lecture at USI, and am so excited about his MAGIC project. I will be following his work as my husband and I actively plan for our retirement.
Yes, his work is certainly innovative and exciting. I’m hoping to interview him again in late 2018, to hear how the MAGIC project is doing. Thanks for listening!