Children Quote by Atul Gawande
““The language of medicine, with its priorities of safety and survival, was taking over, again. Wilson pointed out angrily that even children are permitted to take more risks than the elderly. They at least get to have swings and jungle gyms. A survey of fifteen hundred assisting living facilities published in 2003 found that only 11 percent offered both privacy and sufficient services to allow frail people to remain in residence. The idea of assisted living as an alternative to nursing homes had all but died. Even the board of Wilson’s own company—having noted how many other companies were taking a less difficult and less costly direction—began questioning her standards and philosophy. She wanted to build smaller buildings,””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The End of the Age of the Hospital” in The New Yorker, 2003
The quote critiques how medical safety priorities can lead to over‑protection, limiting autonomy for the elderly in assisted‑living settings.
In simple terms: Safety focus can restrict freedom for older adults.
Key Takeaway
Balance safety with dignity.
Themes
elder care
autonomy
policy
ethics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- nursing home alternatives
- facility design
- regulatory review
Key Concepts
risk assessment
institutional inertia
design thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can facilities protect residents while preserving independence?
- What policies could incentivize better privacy and services?
A Different Perspective
Safety alone may ignore quality of life.
