Inviting Arkansas - Index

Inviting Arkansas - magazine - Index

12
Inviting Arkansas
On the Cover Dr. David Lipschitz
Imagine life if Ponce de Leon had really discovered "The Fountain
of Youth" or if there was some type of miracle drug that would completely
eradicate all signs of aging. Wouldn't it be grand? With America’s
fixation on defying the effects of growing older, aging "gracefully"
in a culture that idolizes youth requires patience and wisdom.
Luckily the “more mature” population in Little Rock has Dr. David
Lipschitz of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University
of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to lead and teach them how
to embrace, not simply endure, aging. At the forefront of the senior
health movement, Dr. David is one of the most respected geriatricians
in the world. His writings and seminars help define the ever-expanding
body of research in the senior health movement. During his time
at UAMS, he has created one of the most comprehensive senior health
centers in the country by addressing clinical care, education, and research
Dr. David, as he is known, helps adults learn the lessons of living a
long and independent life. By addressing
health more broadly, not just confining it
to fitness and nutrition, his philosophy ex-
pands the definition of well-being as how
well you live, how you feel about yourself,
and how you relate to those around you.
To Dr. David, healthiness is inextricably
tied to three key areas: patients, doctors,
and insurance. Reforming the health care
system through patient empowerment-
by helping patients actually understand
their health care and taking responsibility
for themselves- is crucial.
Considering the sheer numbers of aging
adults, it’s clear that a huge change
is necessary to address the needs of an
older population. “Every 7 seconds, another
Baby Boomer turns 50. “By the time
Boomers reach 80, there will be so many
older people that it will be easier to get
into Harvard than to get into an assisted living facility,” Dr. David’s
said in half-jest. In the next thirty years, the bulk of the Boomer population
will be over the age of 60 and over 70 million Americans who
qualify as “elderly” will make up nearly 20% of the population.
By 2021, the average Baby Boomer will juggle at least two chronic
illnesses and the demand for health care and social service will
explode. Medicare and all entitlement programs will become overwhelmed.
“The aging of the Baby Boomer generation will be the most
serious domestic challenge this country has ever faced. You can count
on the Boomers voting in huge numbers to assure that their needs
are met over those of their children, grandchildren and every other
important aspect,” he continued.
The picture here in Arkansas mirrors the national health care
needs. Dr. David’s patients, who, by the way, all have his personal cell
phone number, recognize the dynamic changes occurring in America’s
health care system. “There are so many challenges that we must face
as a consequence of the aging of the Baby Boomer,” Dr. David mused.
Understanding that it is a familial and communal, not governmental,
responsibility to meet the needs of older citizens is one shift Dr. David
believes will help develop a new respect for older persons. Elderly
individuals must assume their “rightful and respected role as the sages
and leaders of our communities and the nation… not be cast aside,
Photography by Nancy Nolan
Dr. David Honored For A Lifetime of Educating Patients
“I am a very blessed
man. I love my life.
I love my work…
my family…
my dogs…
my patients.”
put out to pasture or reduced to insignificant burdens.”
Additionally, altering communities so Boomers are able to “age
in place” is important, as many have no wish to move to a distant
retirement community. “So many of my patients want to be close
to their children and grandchildren but also live in a city that meets
their transportation, living, shopping, entertainment and, most importantly,
learning needs,” he quipped.
As far as the future of American healthcare, Dr. David suggests reasonable
changes that, if immediately implemented, can help solve the
Boomer crisis. Empowered and educated consumers are just as important
as physicians committed to evidenced based medicines. Investing
more funding to basic research to find cures for the common illnesses
that generally effect people later in life and developing an affordable,
accessible health care system where treatments are based on sound
scientific evidence will benefit the economic liabilities and health care
of individuals of all ages. Utilizing “our precious health care dollars
carefully and focusing more on prevention
than acute care” will also reshape medical
assistance. Focusing on prevention allows
aging citizens the opportunity to remain independent,
to live in their “own homes and
not need additional government support to
meet their needs.”
To honor Dr. David’s outstanding work
in educating the public about age-related issues,
The Arkansas Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society will award him its
prestigious Hope Award at the upcoming
Dinner of Champions to be held on Friday,
August 22, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel
in Little Rock. The MS Society will laud Dr.
David’s distinguished professional career, his
involvement and commitment to community
affairs, and his exemplary leadership.
Just like his patients, Dr. David is changing
and aging. He’s now 65, and, as expected,
refuses to accept that such an age is considered “elderly.” For the first
time in 27 years, Dr. David is without a child at home. He has channeled
his paternal energies into Iggy, his well mannered yet spoiled
French bulldog. These days, he is “spending time thinking about how
[he] wants to spend the rest of his life” and considers himself incredibly
wealthy of friends, family and longevity. “I am a very blessed man.
I love my life. I love my work…my family… my dogs… my patients,”
he remarked, with a reflection of true contentment illuminating his
barely aged face.
Dr. David Lipschitz has no intention of slowing down. Instead, he
plans to change his life focus to further benefit the aging population
of the state, nation and beyond. Having no plans to retire, Dr. David
will continue to work, influencing attitudes towards aging, as long as
he possibly can. As his greatest passion is public education, he will
continue to make sure every American understands how to navigate
the health care system as an educated consumer. Dr. David’s refusal
to grow older with anything less than grace and dignity, coupled with
the acknowledgment that there is nothing he cannot do or accomplish,
must certainly be his secret to a successful and happy life. “I am
truly fabulous and intend to stay that way indefinitely. Hopefully, I
will eventually reach the prime of my life at a very old age; preferably
right before the day I die!”