Never in human history have there been so many people entering old
age--roughly one-third of whom will experience some form of
neurodegeneration as they age. This seismic demographic shift will force
us all to rethink how we live and deal with our aging population.
Susan H. McFadden and John T. McFadden propose a radical reconstruction
of our societal understanding of old age. Rather than categorizing
elders based on their cognitive consciousness, the McFaddens contend
that the only humanistic, supportive, and realistic approach is to find
new ways to honor and recognize the dignity, worth, and personhood of
those journeying into dementia. Doing so, they argue, counters the
common view of dementia as a personal tragedy shared only by close
family members and replaces it with the understanding that we are all
living with dementia as the baby boomers age, particularly as early
screening becomes more common and as a cure remains elusive. The
McFaddens' inclusive vision calls for social institutions, especially
faith communities, to build supportive, ongoing friendships that offer
hospitality to all persons, regardless of cognitive status.
Drawing on medicine, social science, philosophy, and religion to provide
a broad perspective on aging, Aging Together offers a vision of
relationships filled with love, joy, and hope in the face of a condition
that all too often elicits anxiety, hopelessness, and despair.
