Logo image
Using Literature to Learn About and From the Elderly
Book chapter

Using Literature to Learn About and From the Elderly

P. M. Jucovy
Advances in Medical Education, pp 765-768
1997

Abstract

Literary Text Medical Student Reading List Shared Source Unanticipated Result
A new elective course which utilizes a variety of literary works on aging to generate group discussions between medical students and the elderly was developed at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University. Its purposes were to discover in literature various themes and images that can enrich one’s knowledge about the aging process, to employ literary texts as a shared source of ideas and pleasure for the medical students and the older persons with whom they interact, and finally, to stimulate interest among the students in the care of the elderly. In its first year, the course produced a number of unanticipated results. Involvement and preparation by the all participants in the class exceeded expectations, but the infirmities and sensitivities of several older members demanded continual adjustment and forbearance by the younger ones. Classes evolved as dynamic lessons on how to deal with some realities of old age.

Metrics

11 Record Views

Details

Logo image