Conversations with Carmen

February 15, 2019: Fake Life and Real Life – Let’s Talk!
Guest: Sonya Barsness, Gerontologist

How much of what is offered to people living in long term care communities is fake?

Much is at stake with fake. Let’s call it out and consider why we think it’s okay. We’ll talk about examples, like using fake pets and babies, mock tails and near beer, the folding of fake towels and whether we are asking the right questions in thinking about if and when to use them. Let’s compare it to real and what each says about how we care for and treat older adults. We’ll be honest, our bias is to encourage all to move more in the direction of real life rather than fake. Let’s compare what our goals are when we are fake and contrast it with what we want for people – real living.