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Life & Times Transcript
01/02/06 Val Zavala>> Tonight on Life and Times -- Is someone you know too old to drive? Now there's an easy way to test them. Joann Basham>> I take it as a challenge. I go back to the drawing board and see where did I flub, where am I weak, where am I strong and just assess what I can do to improve maybe. Maybe I won't be able to improve. Who knows? This is an assessment. You don't know what's going to turn out. Val Zavala>> And then, they sing, they dance, they do magic. We were on hand as some of Los Angeles County's talented seniors take the stage. These stories and more next on tonight's Life and Times. Announcer>> Life and Times is made possible through the generous support of the L.K. Whittier Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life by supporting innovative endeavors in the fields of medicine, health, science and education. And by a generous grant from Jim and Anne Rothenberg. Val Zavala>> Welcome to this special edition of Life and Times. Tonight we bring you our favorite stories about senior citizens, among them retirees who aren't afraid of the stage, others who are heading back to school, and still others who are putting their driving skills to the test. As the American population ages, more and more elderly drivers will be getting behind the wheel and the question arises: At what point do they give up their driver's licenses? And how do you know whether you're too old to drive? Well, now there's a way to test your knowledge and reaction. As Toni Guinyard tells us, it's a CD-Rom that allows you to test yourself in the privacy and safety of your own home. Toni Guinyard>> Motorists in California are sharing the road with an increasing number of older drivers, some of them more aware than others that, with age, their skills behind the wheel are changing. Otto Schnepp>> I have decided to be a little more cautious and more patient than I used to be. I don't push, I wait it out. When I have a doubt if I should go through the yellow light or not, I stop. Toni Guinyard>> Do you still drive? Solang Bourjolly>> I still drive. Toni Guinyard>> Do you see any changes in the way you drive? Solang Bourjolly>> Not yet. Toni Guinyard>> The thought of someday giving up the cars keys -- Otto Schnepp>> It is a fear, yes. No question about it. Toni Guinyard>> -- is something many older drivers would rather not think about. Driving provides them freedom. Solang Bourjolly>> I like to be in that groove, to look at the sky, that I be going. I find peace. Toni Guinyard>> In an effort to put the emphasis on safer driving for seniors, the American Automobile Association, AAA, developed "Roadwise Review". It's a computer program allowing older drivers a way to self-assess their driving ability. Narrator>> "This program from AAA tests a range of physical and mental abilities indispensable to safe driving. By using the program every year or so, you can stay on top of any changes in your safe driving abilities." Toni Guinyard>> The forty minute long computer program is aimed at helping older motorists determine not only if they have the skills to continue driving, but also help them continue driving safely. Patrice Frazier>> We have found that, like teens who are over-represented in terms of crashes, when we get in the eighties, eighty-five, we begin to see seniors more over-represented in terms of crashes. Toni Guinyard>> An accident in July 2003 in which an eighty-six year old man crashed his car into the Santa Monica Farmers Market opened debate and refocused attention on older drivers. But the Automobile Club of Southern California's Patrice Frazier says the accident was not the reason the computer assessment program was created. Patrice Frazier>> Our research started well before that incident occurred. Toni Guinyard>> In 1999, AAA began conducting research on older drivers and found most did not realize the effects of aging on driving ability. From that research came the development of "Roadwise Review". Patrice Frazier>> There are eight tests that we put them through. >> "I'm ready." Patrice Frazier>> Neck flexibility. Narrator>> "Look now". Patrice Frazier>> Cognitive skills, working memory. >> "People, teach, hot." Narrator>> "Remember these words so you can recall them later." Patrice Frazier>> Visual acuity. [Film Clip] Patrice Frazier>> All of these things are very necessary for safe driving. I will tell you that the first time I took it, I realized that it was no walk in the park and actually, if you don't pay attention, there are certain aspects of working memory that are -- you know, it's a challenge. Joann Basham>> I take it as a challenge. I go back to the drawing board and see where did I flub, where am I weak, where am I strong and just assess what I can do to improve maybe. Maybe I won't be able to improve. Who knows? This is an assessment. You don't know what's going to turn out. Toni Guinyard>> We invited Joann Basham, Otto Schnepp and Solang Bourjolly to test their driving skills using "Roadwise Review". We met them at the Center for Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, one of hundreds of community senior centers at libraries statewide where seniors can use donated copies of the computer program free of charge. Narrator>> "This helps you with blind spots every time you back up, change lanes or merge." Toni Guinyard>> The program is narrated by a host who guides users through the exercises and tests. Some segments like this one testing leg strength and reflexes require a partner's help. [Film Clip] Patrice Frazier>> This is a perfect opportunity for the seniors themselves to really gauge where they're going as well as to have a companion or a loved one with them observe. Toni Guinyard>> Observe in a non-threatening environment while drivers are able to do the exercise and take the test in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Joann Basham>> Testing myself is just like the honor system. I like that. I can relax and really test myself. Toni Guinyard>> As opposed to having someone like me looking and watching the whole time (laughter)? Joann Basham>> Actually, I feel quite safe with you. But if you were with the Motor Vehicle Bureau, I would be very nervous (laughter). Toni Guinyard>> As with any other test, results are presented and conclusions are drawn. Patrice Frazier>> It will tell you whether or not you have an impairment at all, whether or not it's mild or severe, and it will also recommend certain mitigating activities that you can do. It could be something like you need a cushion to sit on. You need to be able to see over the steering wheel. It may be as simple as exercises or a new prescription for your eyeglasses. It may be planning your trips. It may be altering the times that you're going to drive, the routes that you're going to take. Otto Schnepp>> I know, for example, a number of seniors who say they do not drive at night anymore and I respect that. I think that's wonderful that they make this judgment and don't want to endanger themselves and others, so they limit what they can do. Others restrict themselves to neighborhood driving or don't go on freeways anymore. Toni Guinyard>> Rather than limit the mobility of seniors, the Auto Club is working to expand transportation options as part of its senior mobility initiative. Patrice Frazier>> It doesn't have to be the end of the road if you are unable to continue driving. Otto Schnepp>> I am ignorant at this point concerning the public transportation system. It has been growing slowly, but still growing. I know, though, that it is there and it's a comfort. Toni Guinyard>> While public transportation might be a comfort, according to Frazier, it's not the only solution to helping the aging driving public. Patrice Frazier>> I think what has happened recently is we're all realizing that the baby boomer generation is getting older. We need to make sure that there are products and services that cater to us all as we age and "Roadwise Review" is a beginning. Narrator>> "You rely on this ability to read signs, to recognize pavement markings that guide your path as you drive and to detect many types of hazards in or near the road." Joann Basham>> Be gentle with yourself. Don't be scared. You're better than you think, so take the test. Toni Guinyard>> Learn more about your strengths and weaknesses behind the wheel while seated at the computer. I'm Toni Guinyard for Life and Times. Announcer>> Kcet.org is the place to look for the very latest on Life and Times. You'll find previews of upcoming stories, transcripts and audio of past episodes and links to some of our most interesting features. Just go to kcet.org and click on "Life and Times". Val Zavala>> We all know that one of the best ways to stave off the ravages of age is to keep our minds active and healthy and no one does that better than members of The Plato Society of UCLA. It's a learning in retirement program, but this one is unique because every student is a teacher and every teacher is a student. On the second floor above El Pollo Loco in Westwood is a group whose intellectual vitality rivals that of nearby UCLA. It's called The Plato Society and, on any given day in a half a dozen classrooms, you'll find retired seniors exercising their minds. >> "There were many, many small inventions." >> "I don't understand how important Kabala was to Spain." >> "You go into a classroom in Watts and you find. . ." Val Zavala>> This class is on the conservative movement in American history. The topic today? School vouchers. >> "Americans like private enterprise and choice. Now is it in fact foreign to the American tradition as far as schools are concerned?" >> "I've got a counter-argument to this man. It seems to me that the truth -- >> -- "I'm shocked incidentally (laughter)." >> "(Laughter). It seems to me that the real truth of education, that is people teaching and children learning, lies in the community. What are people in Sacramento have to do is sit down with the best brains among us and figure out what the best approach is for each of the local areas." Val Zavala>> And this one supports Islam in medieval Spain, which leads to a lively discussion about God. >> "Man has always wanted knowledge of the creator." >> "Why? Why does man want to know everything about his creator?" >> "Because in every single culture from the most primitive people, there are things that they cannot explain -- >> -- "that's right." >> -- "and they absolutely must get an explanation." >> "Now we know why there is lightning, we know why there's thunder, we know why there's earthquakes in California, so why do we have to have another outside source to give us answers?" Val Zavala>> Plato, the fourth century B.C. Athenian philosopher, would be proud to be associated with this group. Robert Lapiner>> Originally, I thought this was a perpetual learning and teaching organization. Then it became partners in learning and actively teaching themselves. Val Zavala>> The Plato Society is part of UCLA Extension. Robert Lapiner is Dean. Robert Lapiner>> There's no question that keeping active intellectually is a guarantor against some form of -- I'm not a physician -- but against some form of mental decline. What I know from many families of Plato members of the past, they would say that the experience of Plato kept their beloved parents going. >> "Oh, Sufism. Now we're going to have to touch on North Africa. I don't know if we're going to have problems with that." Val Zavala>> The Plato Society is run by the students. They choose and vote on which classes will be offered. There are fourteen class sessions and fourteen students per class, so each student researches and presents one session of the course. Naidu Permaul>> "I want to say something about Gelernter. Many of us have seen his articles in the Los Angeles Times." Val Zavala>> This is Naidu Permaul. For thirty-five years, he worked in insurance for Los Angeles County. Today he's leading the discussion on school vouchers. Now is this something that you knew about or have studied before? Naidu Permaul>> No, it is not something I knew about or studied before. It's something that I have to prepare myself for. I've had about a month to prepare myself. Val Zavala>> How many hours? Naidu Permaul>> Oh, I would say I put in over forty hours to study to prepare myself. Naidu Permaul>> "I wonder if you know much about Gelernter as I have been able to find out. He is a Professor of Information Technology at Yale where he received his Bachelors degree and he received his PhD at State University of New York at Stonybrook. What's fascinating about him is that he was one of the victims of the Unabomber. He has a damaged right hand and has lost the sight in one of is eyes." Val Zavala>> This is a celebratory twenty-fifth year for The Plato Society. It's gotten national attention from the Wall Street Journal. Maria Kornet>> We have been selected among the top three learning in retirement programs in the country. Val Zavala>> Maria Kornet is the President of this four hundred member organization. It's a rigorous program and she says you have to apply to get in. Maria Kornet>> And you have to be interviewed. You're interviewed by three Plato members in the office and approved and you are then invited, you know, to join the Society. >> "Because remember you have these explosions inside the engine. They're noisy." Val Zavala>> Classes range from the Twelve Caesars to astrobiology, from the nature of love to Los Angeles architecture, and students are encouraged to take courses out of their area of expertise. Henry Minami>> I think you've got to say that it's probably not working. On the other hand, . . ." Val Zavala>> Henry Minami was an aerospace engineer. Henry Minami>> I finally had a chance to learn a little bit about some of the Humanities that I really didn't get in my engineering and technical education. So since I've retired, I've had courses in architecture, in the orchestra, in the modern art movement. Sybil Jaffy>> It's an opportunity to, number one, not forget what I already know. "We had wealthy people who reproduced themselves and gave all the advantages to their offspring." And the great thing about Plato is that nobody is teaching us. Val Zavala>> And although it's a lifelong learning program for retirees, there are some exceptions. Maria Kornet>> We have honor students from UCLA, one per class. It's wonderful for us because we have a youthful point of view on any particular subject and it's wonderful for them too because they get a different perspective. Val Zavala>> Lauren Borella is a political science honor student at UCLA. What's it like to be taking a class that looks like an AARP meeting? Lauren Borella>> It's very fast-paced. You know, the people obviously know what they're talking about, so it's very quick. Sometimes it's a little hard for me to tell because obviously I don't know nearly as much as they do about what we're talking about, so they just have so many experiences to draw on and so many things to talk about. Robert Lapiner>> We do have so much to learn from. These people, not only as an organization, but as individuals. They also embody a form of -- if I could say --intellectual generosity. Sybil Jaffy>> It's constant intellectual interaction and stimulation. You know, how they say, if you don't use it, you lose it. So we're using it. >> "We each have our own path, our own destiny. If you choose that path, then that's your path." Henry Minami>> And we are always looking for new members too because I'm on the membership committee. We're particularly looking for more diverse members. As you can see, we kind of tend to be west side liberals here, so we're looking for some more conservative type people, some people maybe of different ethnicities. Val Zavala>> So do you think that you will live longer for having this (laughter)? Naidu Permaul>> Oh, absolutely. There is no question about it. The mental stimulation has to be good for your overall health. Robert Lapiner>> They represent the design for living well. They really model what it is to be alive. Sybil Jaffy>> I find great joy in continuing to learn, so that keeps our noses in our books which is probably better than our noses poking into somebody else's business (laughter). So we have a lot of very happy daughters-in-law, as an example. Val Zavala>> If you'd like to find out more about The Plato Society of UCLA, you can go to their website at uclaextension.edu and put in the keyword "Plato". Announcer>> To send a comment or a question to our program, you can reach us by mail at this address: Life and Times 4401 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90027 You can also call our viewer comment line (323) 953-5555) or contact us the fast way by e-mail at kcet.org. Toni Guinyard>> Every year since 1999, Angelus Plaza here in downtown Los Angeles puts out a call for some talented folks to come take center stage. It's their annual Senior Talent Show. This time, we were invited and we learned you're never too old to have a lot of fun. Michael Sherman>> "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Ed Sullivan. This is a really big show here on a really big stage here for PBS." Toni Guinyard>> It's their moment to shine. Each contestant is given just three minutes in the spotlight, but in that time, something almost magical happens. [Film Clip] Toni Guinyard>> The performers connect with the audience and suddenly they forget they're performing in a talent show at a housing complex for retirees. For those brief three minutes, this might as well be Broadway or Carnegie Hall. [Film Clip] Toni Guinyard>> What does it feel like when everyone is watching you and you're at center stage? Bella Villeza>> Well, when I was a child, I loved it. I loved it, you know, because you have everybody's attention. As you grow older, you develop fears and you're going, "Oh, did I play that note right? Oh, I just missed that. I bet everybody heard that false note (laughter)." Your fears build up as you grow up. Toni Guinyard>> For thirty-seven years, Bella Villeza was a teacher. Now the teacher has become a piano student. The talent show is a practice run for her recital. Bella Villeza>> This is just a crowd that wants to have fun. [Film Clip] Toni Guinyard>> With a few quick kicks, the Mary Ellen Dancers grab the audience's attention and ours, daring us to blink less we miss a dip or a turn. Two of the ladies are in their early eighties, the youngest in her late seventies. But if you focus on the ages of the performers rather than the singing and the dancing and the effort being made, then you miss the best part of the story. Their stories about their journeys to get to this stage and to this point in their lives. [Film Clip] Toni Guinyard>> This is Leonard Bluett. He's an actor, a jazz pianist, an octogenarian with a story to tell. His mother worked for Humphrey Bogart. Leonard Bluett>> She was with Bogart for almost thirty years as his cook. Toni Guinyard>> And he had a long-standing gig to perform at Bogart's birthday parties. Leonard Bluett>> I worked with the Marx Brothers in "A Day at the Races" and "A Day at the Circus" which they show now on television, and I worked with Lena Horne in three or four films, dancing. I worked on "Cabin in the Sky", "Stormy Weather". I love performing, for one thing. That's just innate in me and I love being the center of attention (laughter). That keeps me young. As I say, if I leave here tomorrow, I haven't missed a thing except I'll have a U-Haul behind my hearse, you know, so I can take it with me (laughter). Toni Guinyard>> They say you can't take it with you. Leonard Bluett>> I know. I can prove them wrong (laughter). Toni Guinyard>> Bluett's laugh punctuates just about every sentence as he weaves a tale of how things used to be. Leonard Bluett>> I was a glorified extra on "Gone With the Wind" and I was one of the confederate soldiers coming back from the war and I had a bandage on my head. Vivien Leigh rushed up to me and she said, "I have to get back to Tara. Where do I find Big Sam? Have you seen Big Sam?" Toni Guinyard>> Bluett recalls segregated restrooms on the set of "Gone With the Wind". Leonard Bluett>> Colored-white, colored-white, colored-white, all down the line. I couldn't believe it. Toni Guinyard>> And talks about how he and a handful of the extras approached actor, Clark Gable, with their concerns. He says Gable ordered the signs be torn down. Leonard Bluett>> Gable, with his stature as one of the -- at that time, he was the biggest -- he was the Brad Pitt of that day. It taught me that even the lowest men on the totem pole like myself, if you had enough -- well, I don't want to say it, but you could go up to the biggest man and tell him how you feel about the situation. Toni Guinyard>> On this day, Bluett is far from being low man on the totem pole. [Film Clip] Michael Sherman>> It's a great feeling for one hour or fifteen minutes of fame or three minutes of fame. You got the microphone and you're in control. You're in charge most of the time. Toni Guinyard>> Impressionist Michael Sherman understands the need to be in the spotlight. Over the years, he's made a name for himself doing impersonations: Jack Benny -- Michael Sherman>> "PBS, they're always asking for a pledge. Well, I'm pledging, I'm pledging." Toni Guinyard>> George Burns -- Michael Sherman>> "I'm so old that my social security card number is three." Toni Guinyard>> Ed Sullivan -- Michael Sherman>> "And now, ladies and gentlemen, the former President of the United States. Let's hear it for Richard Nixon." Michael Sherman>> "My fellow Americans." Michael Sherman>> I keep the ball rolling, you know, from the old school of comedy of the Jack Bennys and George Burns and Red Skelton, even Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. That's what I grew up watching and I enjoyed it and it's not just coming from -- it comes from here, my heart. It does come from here and I think people realize that when I perform. Toni Guinyard>> And even though Mr. Sherman, Mr. Bluett nor Ms. Villeza placed in the competition, their energy and outlook will perhaps inspire others to take center stage. Bella Villeza>> Many people are just starved for attention, for somebody to just listen to them and attend to them and just affirm them that they are alive and that they can still do things even if they're older. [Film Clip] Leonard Bluett>> Get out there and do something. Just don't sit and wish somebody to knock on your door and say, hey. It ain't going to happen. You got to get out and do it for yourself. Do it for yourself, yeah. [Film Clip] Michael Sherman>> You've got it in your heart and soul to be a performer. It's what you do and you just keep doing it until you can't do it anymore. Michael Sherman>> "Tonight, you ladies and gentlemen, you have been an audience." [Film Clip] Toni Guinyard>> I'm Toni Guinyard for Life and Times. Val Zavala>> I can't wait to retire. And that's our program. I'm Val Zavala. For everyone at Life and Times, thanks for watching. We'll see you next time. Announcer>> Life and Times was made possible through the generous support of the L.K. Whittier Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life by supporting innovative endeavors in the fields of medicine, health, science and education. And by a generous grant from Jim and Anne Rothenberg. Sponsored in part by:  | |
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