1. Movie and Aging Project by Crystal Ammons, Andrea Isbell, Laura Sullivan, and Regina Wallace.

2.  Henry Fonda: Norman Thayer, Jr., a retired professor.  Katharine Hepburn: Ethyl Thayer, Norman’s wife.  Jane Fonda: Chelsea Thayer, Norman and Ethyl’s divorced daughter.  Dabney Coleman: Bill Ray, a dentist and Chelsea’s love interest.  Doug McKeon: Billy Ray, Jr., Bill Ray’s 13 year-old son from a previous marriage.  Directed by Mark Rydell, the film received great acclaim with Fonda and Hepburn both winning Oscars for leading actor and actress.

3.  Norman and Ethyl Thayer visit their Summer cottage on Golden Pond to celebrate Norman’s 80 th birthday.  Joining them is their daughter, Chelsea, her boyfriend Bill, and his son Billy Jr.  Norman is faced with his mortality and changes that often accompany aging. These changes bring about a negative attitude that revolves around limited time and death.  Chelsea and her father have been estranged and her visit brings up old wounds.

4.  Chelsea and Bill leave for Europe for a month, leaving Billy Jr. behind to spend the time with Norman and Ethyl.  Billy’s attitude toward the old couple is one of disdain and he talks of leaving and going back to California.  Norman and Ethyl slowly interest Billy Jr. in life on the pond and soon he begins fishing and doing things around the house with them.  Norman and Billy forge a bond that changes Billy Jr.’s attitude toward the old couple and relationships with elders.  Chelsea returns to see that Norman has a relationship with Billy Jr. that she never had with her father.  Norman and Chelsea work toward healing the rift that has pulled them apart for so many years.

5.  Director Mark Rydell sets the film in an old cottage on Golden Pond that has seen some wear and tear similar to the physical changes that Norman and Ethyl have experienced over the years. The unhinged door is a metaphor for Norman’s aging mind,body, and his attitude. With some care, it may be repaired.  Norman and Billy Jr. search for “Walter”, the elusive trout that is the prize of their fishing trips. The fish symbolizes the peace that Norman is seeking in dealing with his mortality.

6. Central points made by the director include:  Fear of aging and death.  Change in attitudes toward mortality and the strain it puts on relationships.  Anticipatory grief felt by Norman as he experiences physical and mental changes (Jett, 2008).  Reminiscence of good times on the pond by Ethyl used as a means of therapy (Touhy, 2008).

7.  Memory Impairment  Impaired Vision  Self care deficit  Ineffective coping with the aging process  Impaired Judgment

8.  Encourage Norman/patient to discuss feelings or concerns while letting them know that you are there for them.  Provide constant supervision of patient. When nurse is not available a family member or hired persons can fill in with watching over patient.  Provide extra lighting in the patient’s house as well as keep a clear pathway free of clutter.

9.  Adopt the concept of individualized care as the standard of practice with older adults  The nurse should recognize the perceptions that Norman has towards aging in order to accommodate him and give adequate care.

10.  Communicate effectively, respectfully, and compassionately with older adults and their families.  It is very important that the nurse is able to communicate to Norman and his family about normal changes related to aging and the impact these changes can make on every day life.

11.  Assist older adults, families, and caregivers to understand and balance "everyday" autonomy and safety decisions.  It is important for the nurse to help the patient and family to work together to make sure that Norman is making safe and healthy decisions.

12.  Healthcare Providers can gain insight about aging from different perspectives in the movie.  The movie enhances the skills of nurses in several ways in regards to the geriatric competencies.