I love the fact that I have known Dr Jerome Singleton for 25 years. We were struggling graduate students together. He lived across the hall in married graduate housing. I admired his philosophy of life then, even with his limited experience in life at that time; and I admire it even more now. This issue of Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation exudes the trappings of Dr Singleton's philosophy. This issue addresses the important topics of enjoying life, support of family and significant others, and meaningful life experiences.

This issue has identified many important topics that get away from the healthcare practitioner in today's medical environment. So much pressure is on the healthcare worker to be technically correct in what he or she does that the humanness escapes the healthcare venue. The answer to bringing it back is not to go to the lowest common element, which may happen if no alternatives are made available. The answer is to look at great studies and reviews of literature to compare and contrast what is currently available, like in this issue.

I recently was hospitalized for 7 days. I saw the hospital from the other side of the bed. It was a harsh reality. As good as the healthcare team was technically was as bad as they were humanly. They needed this issue to learn to empathize and recognize human needs. For example, what had this hospitalization done to my family members in terms of their activity? What experiences that I enjoy were important to me to get me through this? Could there be something to help ease my journey? How did those around me perceive of my environment and situation? Were travel plans changed from this event? Would a program for my family about leisure programs have helped?

I know my incident was ephemeral, which makes the answers to the issues above less pressing. However, when an older person is hospitalized and institutionalized these same issues take on Herculean proportions.

I applaud Dr Singleton and all his insightful, creative, and joyous authors for designing a comprehensive issue that explores extremely important areas of older person's lives.

Dr Singleton, I have known you for 25 years and over the years your work continues to get better and better. Thanks for still being my friend and a well-respected colleague.

Carole B. Lewis, PT, GTC, GCS, MSG, MPA, PhD, FAPTA

President, Premier Therapy, Inc., Washington, DC Associate Clinical Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md, Adjunct Professor, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC