Article by Liisa Ogburn.
For the Birds
What happened when 31-year-old Harvard Medical grad Bill Thomas became medical director of a nursing home, where he brought in pets, birds, and gardens? You might be surprised!
Like my father, and his father before him, I’m an early riser. With three teenagers in the house, I love starting the day when the house is still quiet, but with the start of spring, when I open the back door, it is anything but that. Even at 5 am, there’s already a cacophony of birds up and at work. Cardinals and robins are plucking the soil for worms. The starlings who have taken up residence in my attic are flitting to and fro with nesting materials. There are finch nests in my tea olives. I recently put up two plexiglass bird feeders on the windows by the kitchen and within a day, I had visitors. What a small thing that gives me so much pleasure when drinking my coffee every morning.
I recently read a story about Bill Thomas, a Harvard medical grad who, at 31, took over running a nursing home. While there and at such a young age, Thomas identified the three plagues of all nursing homes: boredom, loneliness and helplessness. He wondered if caring for another being might change that.
To read the entire article, visit: https://www.wral.com/for-the-birds/17580028/
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About the Author:
Liisa Ogburn is at the heart of Aging Advisors NC, bringing a rich blend of personal experience and global perspective to elder care. Raised in North Carolina with deep roots in Finland, Liisa has a unique appreciation for diverse approaches to aging, shaped by her life across different cultures including Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Her path into elder care consulting was deeply personal. While juggling her role as a Duke University educator and caring for her father-in-law and three young children, Liisa started sharing her family’s journey through articles for The New York Times and later, over 300 posts for WRAL Raleigh on everything from handling loss to choosing the right elder care options.
A teacher at heart, Liisa thrives on empowering others with knowledge. She offers her expertise in presentations to various groups—from churches to professional firms—and writes extensively, reaching audiences far and wide. Her credentials include certifications in geriatric care and a special certification from Brown University to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, reinforcing her belief that calm minds make sound decisions.
