Irma thinks, "Young doctors were never particularly adept at seeing the world through the lenses of their older patients. Maybe this was true of young people in general." Do you believe this holds true today?

Irma turns, unsuccessfully, to psychotherapy to help her with her memories of being a nurse during WWI. She thinks, "Young doctors were never particularly adept at seeing the world through the lenses of their older patients. Maybe this was true of young people in general." Do you believe this holds true today? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe this to be absolutely true. I know it’s a cliche, but life experience is incomprehensible to those who haven’t lived very long. I, for example, understand and feel so differently in my seventies than I did even in my thirties, as do my friends and family. How could someone who has not seen so much understand those who have? I mean, there are definitely generalizations that are valid, but life is complicated.

I believe this is true. I’m in my 60s and can remember thinking that my mother-in-law (mother of 4) probably didn’t have much of relevance to tell me when it came to raising children. Ha, what a young know-it-all I was! And I can see the same things in my own children and daughters-in-law. Many times older people are ignored or not taken seriously when they really have a lot of wisdom and life experiences to share.

Absolutely. I know people who are not yet 30 who are pretty sure they know how the world works and are pretty sure that they know better than someone who has lived, worked and retired. I don't remember having a feeling of "knowing better" back then but I do remember having the feeling of not wanting to be told what to do or what was expected of me, and not wanting to feel judged. That made me miss a lot of valuable input. Like what is shared above, life is complicated and the older we get the more nuances we become aware of. The question about young doctors not being able to see through the lenses of their older patients is true on a practical level. A young body sees and experiences things in a very different way than an older one does.

I believe this is absolutely true. With the internet and social media, young people don't need to rely on the older generation's knowledge. It's very easy to find an answer or make a decision on something based on social media 'facts' (right or wrong).

I think it runs both ways. It's true that younger people seem to think they always know better than their elders (I know I sure did when I was in my 20s & 30s). But I think older people can also be too quick to dismiss younger people's ideas if they differ. I know there have been times when I've been reluctant to do something differently because I tend to get set in my ways!

I believe this to be true. As an "elderly woman" I frequently find my interactions with medical professionals to be very trying, from being patronized to being disregarded. I know they can't make me 18 again, but can't we just do something to make things feel better? I think this has been true for older people for a long time.

Absolutely. As others have mentioned, once we get beyond about 60 and the medical professionals our age retire, interactions with the medical world can be very trying.

As an older female, I absolutely agree. I think that the opinions and wisdom of the elderly are totally ignored. I also think that doctors are quick to dismiss our health issues when we get older.

I think the reason there are geriatric doctors as a specific niche speaks to this “problem”. I have seen young (ish) doctors being more empathetic and connected to older patients if they have been schooled and choose this part of the medical field. So I think it’s great that the medical school community has recognized the need for this specialty. As for children and young people I think it’s cultural especially in America, to dismiss elders’ wisdom and advice. I remember my mother saying “Just you wait” when talking about parenting!

Yes, often younger people dismiss older people as out of touch and old fashioned without getting to know them

This is true, it is just a fact that no one knows what it's like to live in another's shoes. I learn new things every day and the older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know.

I try to see things through other's eyes, but you can never really know.

The treasure is in the effort and a key, especially for care-givers is to really listen.

It's probably something that always happens and will continue to happen. Life experiences are necessary to learn and the more training the better. We all learn every day. If young people don't have contact with older people--grandparents, older neighbors, etc., how can they possibly know how to treat them. Also, in today's medical world there is lack of time allowed to actually talk to a person.

I think this is true sometimes. I find that most doctors really don't want patients questioning them about medication and procedures. Some expect you to "blindly follow" their instructions. I always go into a doctor's office with a list of questions on a piece of paper that I want answers to. I am nice about it but if a doctor doesn't answer them, I find one who does. Most doctors look at how most people react to a medicine but we are all different and need to know the risks as well as the benefits. My doctors know me now and explain things. It isn't that much a matter of the age of the doctor but more personality I find that affects approaches to patients. Still it is also the responsibility of patients to be in tune with their own bodies and keep abreast of medical changes and advances. I google quite a bit!

I do think this is inherently true but, hopefully, as the Maya Angelou quote says, “ Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”