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Writing about elder care issues and raising the general public’s awareness of the need for more support from everyone in the forms of funds, political backing, research and support for more resources and salary for those who care for our elderly is a really hard sell! Even as these issues gain more visibility because of social networking, the plain fact seems to remain that the elderly are just not on the mind of the public, with the exception of those who are directly dealing and caring for them.
We all know the plain truth of youth and it’s natural feeling of foreverness. We all were young and can acknowledge the fact that youth is about discovery, knowledge through making mistakes and the beginnings of learning about life. Being consumed by these thoughts does not preclude involvement into what is happening with people who are “old”. It is natural in our culture for the young to not think about the issues of the elderly. This is not done with purpose, but just that old age is not the focus of youth. That is to be learned as one nears old age.
This all makes for a hard task to raise a general alert to everyone that, as the largest segment of our country’s population has one foot in the door of the elderly phase of life, healthcare and elder care will be a major issue of our country and culture, and will soon be approaching our economy with the speed and force of a runaway freight train!
Hopefully, through the use of the Internet, social networking and media sources such as Examiner.com, there will be a movement of more and more of the general public giving a bit of time to read and support issues that face our elderly citizens now.
It is the hopes of this Examiner to gain readers of all ages who will see the need to learn more about what the elderly are going through. We all have parents and we all will face dealing with their health and age issues sooner or later. In fact, we all are here because “they” brought us into this world, cared for us, provided food, shelter and nurtured us along until we discovered our “wings” and took flight. It’s time for us to turn around and look back at our parents and see if they need our help....“They Do!”
Comments
What a great article. Sadly it is true. I work as an Assistant Activities' Director in a nursing center and LOVE my job. If I can help one resident smile and feel loved and respect- ed, my day is made. Sadly, in folk's often last "home," the number's game and political agendas still tyrannize. I am repeatedly told: "We need increased numbers in our activities or funding will be cut." I must "make" residents attend. I cannot help but fear the security of my job. The powerful, icy, and greedy folks that often run these centers can and do hire and fire when the "spirit moves them." Ironically corporate bullies are often closer to the patient's ages than the folks that provide the physical care for these residents. Does this occur to the big bosses? Does it cross their minds that it may be their faces in which doors are slammed because they are being "nuisances?" Seemingly not. What happened to the times when our elderly were respected and revered as the wise souls that they are?
Sole UNPAID caregiver for Mid stage Alzheimer's mother, age 89. Sole caregiver 24/7, 7.5 years! With 2 nearby deadbeat sisters. The societal aversion to considering at the needs of seniors is not just general ambivalence. You want to see it at it's nastiest, look within the family. Often, 1 sibling gets stuck with ALL caregiving, while the "grown" DEADBEAT siblings refuse to help. I am on a crusade to resurrect an old word FORSAKEN. This is a conscious act, and typically the harder the caregiving gig is, the more some siblings will hide. There is no "walk in my shoes and see how hard it is..." then they'll come help. They KNOW it's a 24/7 endless pit. In my case, 2 sisters pulled heartless financial abuses, which they refuse to own up to. So now GUILT keeps them away; how is it they get to keep the money, be excused from helping, & feel ENTITLED to hurl threats & insults? Hooray for Cynthia McFadden for nailing a deadbeat son on ABC's "Family Secrets." Did he squirm on nat'l TV!
Thank you for your comments. Your passion for caring for the elderly is obvious! It is truly a heartfelt issue and caregivers are so giving. The best chance of improving efforts are through raising public awareness, so that everyone sees this as a high profile crisis. Only when politicians see their jobs in question, do they act for the issues! Hopefully, more media attention will raise that public and political awareness. Thanks again and the world is a better place for you for being who you are!
nicely said
thank you
amit
www.ourparents.com
Thanks for reading and sharing your comment Amit!
Great article. Both of my parents passed away over the past two years. Most tragic was the poor care my Dad received in a post-surgery rehab center.
I enjoyed taking care of my parents...no matter how sick. People need to be more aware of their needs.
Thanks for your comment and for reading Cheryl! Sorry for your loss as well! The fact that we all don't begin to think of aging issues until they hit us in the face, combined with the lack of support from the family physician when we begin this difficult phase of life makes families feel helpless and confused at the onset of caring for an elderly loved one. Thanks again for your passions and support. Take care!
Good Stuff- We need to educate adult caregivers, especially the baby-boomer generation, that there is affordable help out there. In-home care is ideal in many situations. More than 80% of the senior population prefers to age in-home and this is not impossible with the help of highly trained caregivers working as little to as much as needed on a weekly basis.
For more information about in-home care, feel free to check out a blog I write for, www.rightathome.net/seniorhomecare
Best,
Bill
Thanks for your comments Bill and I will check your blog.
This is a great article and it's very true there needs to be more awareness. I am trying to help inform those about elderly care needs as well - www.elderlycareneeds.com
Thanks!
Thank you Care needs for your comment and your efforts for the elderly! Take care.
I have worked in the healthcare field, and I agree that many young people do not know how to deal with aging and death. I think that children and adolescents, as well as teenagers, and people in their 20s should spend time going to nursing homes, visiting senior centers, and participating in social services. Our culture is definitely becoming one that is concentrated on money and not on family/social values. Where are the elders? They are in Homes dying. We are not learning the stories they have to tell, or the wisdom of an age group that experienced so much social change. I belive that our culture needs to develop modern ways of helping the elderly, and dealing with the burden that such a large population group is going to have. I have seen some horrible and amazing things concerning death and aging. We must be responsible for our elders, and the upcoming healthcare/social services crisis the will happen unless more people become aware of the need.
Thank you for your comment! I couldn't agree more with you! That is one of the reasons I have made it part of what I am trying to do...raise the public awareness of the issues of the elderly. Yes, it can be a scary thing to do, to get involved in the issues of the elderly. Many people see themselves as they know they will get there someday as well, so they avoid them. That is understandable, so we have to start with the young and keep them involved with seniors in any way we can. I refer you to previous article of mine, "How to teach your children to appreciate seniors". Take care and thanks again!
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