Portland State Magazine Spring 2013

24 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2013 physical improvements like handrails. They also train caregivers and medical first responders on what to do when an elderly person falls, becomes lost, or has a heart attack. “If your family can’t take care of you, you are in a world of hurt,” says Wilson. “It’s just a lot of extreme poverty.” And the problem isn’t just in Nicaragua. By 2050, 80 percent of the world’s elderly population will be in developing countries. The foundation just started a new initiative in Appalachia where a big challenge is protecting the elderly from drug- addicted children and grandchildren. Wilson wants to create a special community health worker program to train older people to help their peers recognize and come to terms with the abuse. That model could be replicated across the U.S. since the problem is becoming endemic. These specially trained workers would also help their peers handle chronic medical conditions. Evidence suggests Baby Boomers, particularly those born between 1946 and 1964, will experience more health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, says Wilson. Partly, she says, it’s diet and partly people are simply living longer due to advances in modern medicine. DeShane himself had fairly routine heart valve replacement surgery at 65. But the model of care DeShane and Wilson promote is intentionally not a “medical model” that treats a person as a disease or set of problems, says Paula Carder, a faculty member in PSU’s Institute on Aging. Instead it’s a “social model” that considers a person’s life history and honors their independence—including allowing people to make choices that could be judged bad from a medical standpoint. ALTHOUGH THEY have no plans to retire, Wilson, who has worked long days for many years, would like to work a little less. The two have a child from DeShane’s first marriage and four grandchildren. They have 38 nieces and nephews. And four cats. Wilson wants to spend more time with family and friends, work on her genealogy research, and volunteer for organizations whose missions she supports. DeShane plays golf when he can, he says, “but not well.” He occasionally tinkers with old cars. The two live in Happy Valley, have a home in Bend, but like to travel. They’ve been to every continent except Antarctica. DeShane won’t stop working in part because there is so much to do for the frail and elderly. And his friends are at work. It’s his purpose. Carrie Sturrock is a Portland freelance writer. The foundation run by Keren Brown Wilson just started a new initiative in Appalachia where a big challenge is protecting the elderly from drug-addicted children and grandchildren. Michael DeShane visits with a resident at Rackleff Place in Canby, one of 17 assisted living residences his company, Concepts in Community Living, manages.