Stevie Smith: The Caregiver-Poet
Authors: Chris MacKnight
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Medical Writings1 May 1998Stevie Smith: The Caregiver-PoetChris MacKnight, MD, FRCPCChris MacKnight, MD, FRCPCDalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia; B3H 2E1 CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-9-199805010-00045 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Caregivers are crucial to the practice of geriatric medicine (and, therefore, to the practice of internal medicine). In addition to being allies for the physician, they are often all that stands between the patient and the nursing home. If caregivers are to receive appropriate support, some understanding of their position and need for respite is required. The writings of Stevie Smith, a mid-20th century English poet, admirably voice all aspects of caregiving. Although Smith first published in 1936, she did not become popular until the 1950s and 1960s. During her heyday, she combined her position as a respected poet with ...References1. Larkin P. Frivolous and vulnerable In: Sternlicht S, ed. In Search of Stevie Smith Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ Pr; 1991:76. Google Scholar2. Dick K. Ivy and Stevie. New York: Allison and Busby; 1983. Google Scholar3. Heaney S. A memorable voice: Stevie Smith. In: Sternlicht S, ed. In Search of Stevie Smith. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ Pr; 1991:212. Google Scholar4. Williams J. Much further out than you thought. In: Sternlicht S, ed. In Search of Stevie Smith. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ Pr; 1991:38-49. Google Scholar5. Sternlicht S. Introduction. In: Sternlicht S, ed. In Search of Stevie Smith. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ Pr; 1991:1-27. Google Scholar6. Isaacs B, Livingstone M, Neville Y. Survival of the Unfittest: A Study of Geriatric Patients in Glasgow. Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul; 1972. Google Scholar7. Patterns of caring for people with dementia in Canada. Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Canadian Journal on Aging. 1994; 13:470-87. Google Scholar8. Deber RB, Williams AP. Policy, payment, and participation: long-term care reform in Ontario. Canadian Journal on Aging. 1995; 14:294-318. Google Scholar9. Smith S. Letters. In: Barbera J, McBrien W, eds. Me Again. London: Virago Pr; 1981; 253-332. Google Scholar10. Lawton MP, Brody EM, Saperstein AR. A controlled study of respite service for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Gerontologist. 1989; 29:8-16. Google Scholar11. Caradoc-Davies TH, Harvey JM. Do “social relief” admissions have any effect on patients or their care-givers? Disabil Rehabil. 1995; 17:247-51. Google Scholar12. Philp I, McKee KJ, Meldrum P, Ballinger BR, Gilhooly ML, Gordon DS, et al. Community care for demented and non-demented elderly people: a comparison study of financial burden, service use, and unmet needs in family supporters. BMJ. 1995; 310:1503-6. Google Scholar13. Crowell SJ, Rockwood K, Stolee P, Buehler SK, James BM, Kozma A, et al. Use of home care services among the elderly in Eastern Canada. Canadian Journal on Aging. 1996; 15:413-26. Google Scholar14. Perneger TV, Chopard P, Sarasin FP, Gaspoz JM, Lovis C, Unger PF, et al. Risk factors for a medically inappropriate admission to a department of internal medicine. Arch Intern Med. 1997; 157:1495-500. Google Scholar15. Cohen CA, Pushkar Gold D, Shulman KI, Zucchero CA. Positive aspects in caregiving: an overlooked variable in research. Canadian Journal on Aging. 1994; 13:378-91. Google Scholar16. Smith S. Selected Poems. London: Penguin Books; 1978. Google Scholar17. Smith S. Simply living. In: Barbera J, McBrien W, eds. Me Again. London: Virago Pr; 1981:108-10. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Chris MacKnight, MD, FRCPCAffiliations: Dalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia; B3H 2E1 CanadaGrant Support: Dr. MacKnight is supported by Dalhousie University's Internal Medicine Research Foundation.Corresponding Author: Chris MacKnight, MD, FRCPC, Division of Geriatric Medicine, First Floor. Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, 5955 Jubilee Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2E1 Canada. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byWhere are the Women in End-of-Life Research? 1 May 1998Volume 128, Issue 9Page: 788-790KeywordsCaregiversElderlyEmotionsGeriatricsHeartMemoryNursing homesRacial and ethnic issuesStrokeSuicide ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 May 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...