Editorial
The Zimmers - role models or stereotypes

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Media hype has thrust the musical group “The Zimmers” into the public eye. The specially arranged ensemble of older singers flew to the top of the charts with the rendition of the old Who number, “My generation”.

As someone who is old enough to remember the original version by arguably the best live Rock band in the world ever, there is a feeling of heresy about this, but the achievements of The Zimmers have been feted as an example of positive models of ageing, who are making a statement about how the older generation are as relevant and in touch as younger counterparts and age is no barrier to success. Very laudable, we would all agree. Or is it? It seems to me that actually there are a significant number of entertainers who continue to work into late life including singers such as Andy Williams and comedians like Ken Dodd, who certainly do act as positive role models, whereas the choice of the name “The Zimmers” highlights the stereotype of walking frames and older people with disability. Even the Zimmers’ to date, much feted version of the Who’s song* is little more than a cry of protest at the way older people are viewed by society. It is very easy to be precious about this, and of course it would be interesting to know the views of older people on this topic, including whether they identify themselves with the group, but my concern is that the image being created is more to do with using the concept as a gimmick to forward the commercial interests of the producer, than taking the opportunity to counter prejudice towards older people. Time will tell.

Dignity is all around
Through this column we try to promote the ongoing BGS campaign to improve dignity in the care of older people. Personally, I think a good strapline for the “Behind closed doors” initiative would have been “Strictly smallroom” but there you go. It is interesting to note that a number of the national and weekend newspapers are all running campaigns to highlight this issue, including the Daily Mail, Observer and The Times. But what changes? You get the sense that readers note the item, agree that the situation is awful, and then move on to ask, “what’s happening to Tracey/Darren/Paige/whoever on Big Brother?” Even the NICE drugs issue which stimulated debate in the Newsletter last month, doesn’t seem to evoke much public reaction except from carers and relatives. As a result of dealing with a number of complaints in our Trust, I would respectfully like to suggest that when we have made progress on the Behind Closed Doors issue, we turn our attention to the Prevention of lost Dentures. I am not being flippant at all - there is an enormous price to pay if dentures are lost - impaired nutrition, loss of self esteem, embarrassment, and delays in obtaining replacements, not to mention the sheer cost. I think the reason why this happens is partly due to safety concerns in patients who are very ill or with impaired consciousness, partly due to excessive movement between wards and partly because dentures are regarded as possessions rather than prostheses. My point is that greater care needs to be taken with dentures when people enter hospital with the same degree of care and security taken as if the patient was carrying controlled drugs or large quantities of cash. It is easier to replace these latter commodities.

Oligowarrenism
Once again I am grateful for feedback on this column, and in particular to a friend and colleague in Leeds who liked the last issue but felt there weren’t enough references to Marjory Warren. This paragraph is therefore clearly a cheap way of addressing that deficit, but I would like to propose that should the exam for trainees described in this issue be extended to consultants as part of recertification then it become known as the Marjory Warren Knowledge Based Assessment in recognition of the great lady’s contribution to our understanding of disease and disability in older people. When I am unsuccessful I can then be fittingly placed on the Oliver Corrado re-sit list.

Final Word - Communication problems
A patient recently attended Clinic and said, “ I think I maybe going a bit deaf” I replied , “Oh dear , what are the symptoms?”, to which she said “A yellow cartoon on the telly.” Now this feeble tale is to lead you to a much better one in Graham Mulley’s article on the hazards of dealing with deafness, which I strongly recommend (page 28). Anyone else who wants to show their appreciation of Graham, please form an orderly queue. See you in October for my last column.

David Beaumont

People try to put us down
(talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around
(talkin' 'bout my generation)

Things they do look awful cold
(talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old
(talkin' 'bout my generation)

Why don't you all fade away
(talkin' 'bout my generation)
And don't try to dig what we all say (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to cause a big sensation (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my generation
(talkin' 'bout my generation)

The salient lyrics of The Zimmers’ version of the Who’s song, “My Generation”