Promoting One Age, "Alive"

Am I Old Yet?, (Komaiko, 1999), is a true story that takes us deep into a world most hope to never enter and few dare to go: the nursing home. After reading this book, end-of-life care, an issue that was once just an aspect of nursing to me became a powerful issue that needs prompt attention and change. According to Leah Komaiko (1999), the truth about aging lies in the idea that no matter how old a person is, if they have love and personal relationships at the end of their lives, there is only one age: alive. This statement motivated me to research the issue of end-of-life care, only to be left with a drive to change the present practices and improve the quality of life of the individuals who tend to be thrown into one homogeneous group. We as health care providers seemingly forget the uniqueness and individualized needs and desires of the elderly.
The population of the United States is growing older; a phenomenon widely noted that carries significant implications for the nation...