World wide growth of an aging population gives new
meaning to the phrase “you’re only old once,” which is
the title of Dr. Seuss’ last book, written on the occasion of
his 80th birthday. This delightful work provides humorous
testimony to the plethora of age-related ailments and the
frustrations of the physiologic effects of aging as only Dr.
Seuss could imagine. Recently an 85-year-old patient
noticed Dr. Seuss’ book on my shelf and commented,
“thank goodness it’s only once!” Another patient, 93 years
of age, commented, “You’re only as old as you feel.”
As psychogeriatricians we appreciate more than anyone
the developmental aspects of aging and we recognize how
individuals vary greatly as they cope with the winter of
life. Indeed, the classic article by Rowe and Kahn on
“Usual and Successful Aging” comes to mind. As the articles
and reports for this issue of the Bulletin arrived, I
was impressed by the progress that is occurring—progress
that will greatly increase the likelihood of successful
aging among the next cohort of the old old. This issue of IPA Bulletin includes several reports from around the
globe that highlight the scientific and political advances
in our field.
I am struck by the scientific advances and innovations
reported by our colleagues suggesting that psychogeriatrics
is entering an era based on global demographic
imperative. Could it be that old age has come of age?
Neurobiological advances continue at a remarkable rate
as superbly outlined by John O’Brien and Robert Barber.
Meetings and symposia are briskly moving beyond the
simple description of psychogeriatric syndromes, now
focusing upon medical and psychosocial outcomes, service
delivery, as well as the economic and policy impact of
better organized systems of care and more specific interventions.
IPA’s April 2002 meeting, held in Rome and
organized by Mario Fioravanti and colleagues, was
absolutely sensational (see David Ames’ report). Other
recent meetings reported in this issue, such as the
Geneva/Springfield Symposium covered in depth by
Michael Woodward, is a benchmark of the quality educational and scientific offerings now
available throughout the world. One
of the tasks in process for me is to
assemble a group of IPA Bulletin
Assistant Editors who will regularly
identify and report on the more significant
developments in their region.
Indeed, this issue is an initial testimony
to the extraordinary developments
in our international community and truly documents
several works in progress to the benefit of our
patient population all over the globe. In this issue reports
are published from Indonesia, Spain, Turkey, Ireland, and
Singapore.
Unfortunately, many other news items and reports were
not included in this issue due to publication deadlines
and the lack of space—wow! Of course, one way to
remedy this problem is to avail (y)ourself of the wondrous
World Wide Web and “read all about it.” Brian Draper,
IPA’s webmaster, continues to steer us in the right direction
as to where, when, how and what can be discovered
through existing Websites.
The IPA Website (www.ipa-online.org)—“new and
improved”—has an array of articles, updates and
announcements, including direct access to IPA meetings
and numerous linkages to other useful sites. Additionally,
some of the more interesting and significant IPA Bulletin
articles are archived there. Of course, the IPA sponsored
Asian Pacific Regional Meeting scheduled for October
2002 is fast approaching, and registration and submittals
can now be made online for both it and the European
Regional Meeting in Geneva, scheduled for April 2003.
The IPA Regional meetings are a sheer delight for the
membership and colleagues from multiple disciplines and
are essential to the work of our organization. For an inside
look at the Board of Director activities and initiatives, check
out the Rome IPA Board of Directors’ Meeting Highlights in this issue. You
are encouraged to join a committee or task force by emailing our friendly
IPA Secretariat at ipa@ipa-online.org. Before you know it, you’ll have the
opportunity to directly participate in a great organization with all the gratification
of knowing that you are advancing the cause of psychogeriatrics.
Another way to contribute to IPA is to send the
IPA Bulletin Assistant Editor
in your region an article or news item, or volunteer to write about a meeting
or symposium for publication in the Bulletin. Your offerings and input
are appreciated and welcomed. Additionally, why not forward a recipe to
James Lindesay for publication in our “Culinary Corner.” As you can see
(and may taste) this issue of the IPA Bulletin includes a delectable dish
that serves up to 15 people—enough to serve even the Folks family—
that’s all seven children, two grandchildren and Diane and myself!
Moreover, the diversity of recipes that have appeared in the Bulletin rivals
any smorgasbord. We may very well want to consider publishing the IPA
recipe collection—good idea?
Regarding the work of the IPA leadership, a good many initiatives have
emerged with high priority. The regional initiatives, especially outside of
developing areas, are in need of support. The objectives and goals are
described in the Board of Directors’ Meeting Highlights on page 2.
Leadership development and the purposeful achievement of obtaining effective
governmental relations are likely to occur in tandem. Those individuals
who are working in this regard need to be recognized and rewarded.
Additionally, the IPA Board of Directors has emphasized the need for outreach
to both professionals and non-medical constituents within the field
of psychogeriatrics. This outreach mission makes veritable sense if IPA is
going to have a lasting impact with the current initiatives and programs.
Moreover, Alistair Burns and George Grossberg are well established in this
regard, with expertise and skill in outreach and governmental relations.
They deserve our support and will need our assistance in accomplishing
the BOD’s goals and objectives.
David Folks, Department of Psychiatry, UNMC, 985575 Nebraska
Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198-5575 USA, +1.402.354.6360,
dgfolks@unmc.edu
-----------------------------
David Folks
Reprinted from IPA Bulletin, Volume 19, Number 3
Copyright 2008 International Psychogeriatric Association
