Hi and welcome to the first “Elsewhere in the Palliverse” for 2015. There is an (unintentional) geriatric flavour to this week’s links. This is possibly because today marks the end of a six-month geriatrics rotation for me, or maybe because another year has ended and birthday has passed. Regardless, I hope that Palliverse readers enjoy the following links:

Dementia researchers Muireann Irish and Rebekah Ahmed give their take on the new film adaptation of Still Alice, a novel about a 50 year old woman who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Have you read the book? Will you see the movie? (Still Alice: A rare look at how dementia steals memories from millions – The Conversation)

Professor Rod McLeod gives some background on his article in this month’s European Journal of Palliative Care, ‘Making it easier to die at home – an innovative programme in New South Wales, Australia’. (Making it easier to die at home – EAPC Blog)

Dr Alex Smith joins with Speech Pathologist Sarah Stranberg to discuss palliative approaches to people with swallowing difficulties. I suggest adding your comments to the conversation over at Pallimed. (Working With, Rather Than Against Speech and Swallow Therapists – Pallimed)

While we’re on the topic of dysphagia, the folks at GeriPal have developed the ingenious “Thickened Liquid Challenge” #thickenedliquidchallenge (The Thickened Liquid Challenge – GeriPal)

Is fashion starting to embrace ageing? Or is the industry just realising that its customer base is getting older? (Fashion’s Two-Faced Relationship With Age – New York Times)

Adele Horin asks us for our thoughts on bodies and ageing. I’m enjoying the comments. (Reclaiming the beauty of our ageing bodies – Coming of Age)

Another aspect of ageing that opens a huge can of health economic worms, the CEO of Novartis, Joseph Jiminez, considers the costs and potential benefits of regenerative medicine. (The new meaning of old age – World Economic Forum:Agenda)

With that in mind, here’s a detailed look from the lay press at What Happens When We All Live to 100? (The Atlantic)

Let’s finish with something a bit…unconventional. Have you ever encountered anything like this? Life-Sized Scarecrows Outnumber People 3 to 1 in Dying Japanese Village. (Booooooom!)