Do you know what ageism is? It’s prejudice towards the elderly. It’s discriminating against age and those who have aged.
Many people may know within their hearts that they are guilty of this by letting their aged parents or grandparents live alone. And when they can’t do that, putting them into care homes, nursing homes or old folk homes.
These facilities have slightly varying functions, but they have one thing in common. They relieve us of the responsibility of caring for our parents at home. WHY? So that our enjoyment isn’t hampered. And so we can live our lives to the fullest and be unconstrained.
For the young, the elderly are burdens who require a lot of time and energy, who can’t keep up with their lifestyle and who get in the way of how the younger generation lives.
Think for a moment that just as our parents are in the most fragile state, physically and perhaps mentally, we distance ourselves from them, get our own homes, leave them in their homes and when they can’t live alone any longer, we confine them to a care home.
In that care home, they will suffer from isolation, loneliness, and boredom. But we rationalise that they are receiving professional care and that it’s a dedicated atmosphere for the elderly. We have a lot of other reasons as well.
Let me ask you a question though: WHO WILL GIVE THEM LOVE?
The same people who gave birth to us; who raised us; who sacrificed for us; and who spent their lives working to feed, house and educate us. We dispose of them and let them become market commodities, because care homes are big, big businesses. Is that how we repay our parents and grandparents?
Or instead, should we look to the traditional, multi-generational household where we don’t move out of the family home to our own place, but live with our parents, who help with child parenting, homework, etc.
Parents can then share their wisdom, which includes guidance and self-realisation of life. That’s how it was in the past. Elders were never left alone or considered “objects of specialised care” – they were part of our lives.
Caring is a responsibility that requires a different mindset and may also require re-thinking, restructuring our lives and a less selfish attitude.
You love your parents and they love you, so keep them in an environment where that dynamic spirit of love flows 24 hours a day until their dying day.
Keep them in an environment where they are surrounded not by CARERS, NOT BY ROBOTS, BUT BY THEIR FAMILY. THINK WELL, BECAUSE ONE DAY OLD AGE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!
Submitted by Dharam Sewraj
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