When I mention BEING MORTAL, the important Atul Gawande’s book, my interlocutors point to their shelf, their desk, their couch. The book is there. They already read it or they plan to read it. My copy came from my brother-in-law. A book rep, he got it for free. He encouraged me to pass it around. … Continue reading
Author Archives: 0dile
The Cup
“Do you want some juice? –Is it cold? –Yes… Do you want tea? –Yes, tea.” I go back to the kitchen. Making tea is easy: earthenware cup, tea-bag, sugar, boiling water from the machine’s tap, spoon. I place the cup, on the narrow table that always stands in front of Elsa’s wheelchair. Elsa nods approvingly. … Continue reading
Dancing to the Foot Doctor
”He has an appointment.” Two nurses are trying to convince Mr. Dill to sit in a wheelchair. He refuses politely, keeping his tall and skinny frame in movement, just out of their reach. He is not running away, he does not want to comply. I come back five minutes later. The two women are laughing, … Continue reading
FORGETTING IS VASTLY UNDERRATED
Commenting on the minuscule pedestrian in the distant street framed by the window, trying to clean a black dot on the linoleum floor, calling out to show me a glamorous Marie Claire ad: looking for clues. Everything is equally interesting and meaningful. Is it living in the present? Is the classification system defective? Unexpectedly I … Continue reading
ETHICS or “WAIT A MINUTE!”
Since the publication of her book: Knocking on Heaven’s Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death, in 2013, Katy Butler is stirring the debate about medical decision-making when death nears. I saw Butler on Wednesday in a San Rafael nursing home. Her presentation was short and clear, anchored by projections of sepia family … Continue reading
Odile KHSU Interview
On August 11, I had the honor to be the guest of the half hour weekly show THROUGH THE EYES OF WOMEN, hosted by KHSU in Arcata, Northern California. Listen here: http://khsuwomen.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/august-11-2014-host-corinne-frugoni-interviews-odile-lavault-about-techniques-for-talking-with-people-with-dementia/ Continue reading
ALIVE INSIDE
I saw ALIVE INSIDE tonight with 2 colleagues. First time that I watch a movie that shows our work “in the trenches.” I feel proud. We strive to reignite that light. The joy is as big as the despair that was preceding it. What is the place of the elder’s in the U.S.? The footage … Continue reading
Soul2Soul Seniors 