Who Should Take Care of Old People

Fahad Niazi

Gösta Viberg

Language and Communication 1

6th October 2010

Who should take care of the elderly?

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). At various stages of the human life cycle, old age is the last stage of human life where a human being turns into an emotionally and physically weak person. This is the period of his life when he needs a lot of care; old age is a time when every body needs love and affection from their loved ones. However, in this essay, I will put emphasis on how we should take care of the elderly in a good way, emotionally and physically. Also this, I will try to analyze the factors that cause problems in taking care of old people and how we should avoid them.

In different countries of the world people live according to their own cultural values and we also see the differences of how they take care of their elderly society. In different societies, for instance, most countries in Asia and the Middle East, it is the family members’ duty to take care of their aging parents and grandparents. This results in, elderly people live happily with their families and their needs are fulfilled by their family members. However, in modern societies, e.g. European countries and the US, the life differs from that of Asian countries.

There come moments of ups and downs in life when everyone needs someone for comfort. Especially so, in the modern society of the 21st century where everyone seems to be busy with their own life and work. The family members do not have much time to spend with their older members. For instance, in a family where everyone works outside the home and often has no time to be together. Nevertheless, the older family members who are not any longer physically and mentally well are commonly sent to community well-being centres.

The caregiver (a son or daughter) must be the one who is able to get over emotional obstacles and move on with providing quality care for the aging parent.The factor that also cause problem in taking care of the elderly is the lack of patience. Caregiver for the elderly should be patience, kind and loving. Homeless elders, notwithstanding increasing in numbers, continue to be a disregarded population. Alot of homless elders who are aging on the streets are often reproduce diagnosed i.e. suffers from a range of complex health, mental health. Elderly people who are homeless due to lack of social supports are especially indulge in depression, dementia and other mental health problems. The engagement of society workers may help to assure freedom of the elderly person in the community. The government should also organise supportive services such as in meal delievery, home-care, medication surveillance, conveyance to medical appointment, and vistitors, which help to improve the quality of life for the elderly person. The lack of acess to specialist services is one reason for older people to not receiving palliative care. They suffer more often from chronic illnesses. The elderly should have this facility of specialist services. There is comparatively few old people receiving specialist palliative care in hospital. The growing number of older people intriguing health care systems. Staff shortages and lack of skills for home care and in nursing homes all these problems should be solve in taking care of the elderly. Developed countries are facing interchangeable issues and they should learn from each other in different areas.

Talking with our elderly parents about their living situations and the possible need for change is not always easy. A successful conservation depends on the kind of relationship we have with the parent, as well, the parent’s physical, mental and emotional condition. Many people lose an opportunity for understanding and closeness.We should talk with elderly parents gently and honestly about their wishes.We should share our fellings and reassure the parent that we will support them.

In western societies, one thing is easy to analyze, that large number of old people live with their dogs. Their dogs are their only friends to them and they treat them like part of their family. In loneliness, dogs are the only hope for them to feel comfortable. Old people live alone with them. Dogs are very loving animals and ideally suited for this purpose, because they provide an affectionate and warm response to the fuss and attention they receive. Activities such as these should be undertaken under close supervision to ensure the safety of all whom it concerns. In this time, when they need their families to be with them they cannot see them. If family members cannot live with them, then they should make time to visit them properly. Today, most people think that the government should take responsibility of our old people but we should not rely on the government too much. Most people say that the one who has to pay for older people is the government but in fact it is not only the responsibility of the government. We should take responsibility in taking care of our old people.

All in all, our old parents and grandparents need our care and love. We should pay watchfulness to them instead of disregarding them. We should share everything with them.
These actions will make them realize that they are not alone because old people always need their loved ones to be around them. We should spend time with them and do some activities together. It will give pleasure to them. At this age, they need physical and emotional care from us. We should not run away from our responsibilities; it is our duty to show our old ones that they are important to us and do what is necessary to take care of them.

Work Cited

http://www.articlesbase.com/elderly-care-articles/taking-care-of-mentally-ill-seniors-best-activities-for-mental-stimulation-740232.html

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/98235/E82933.pdf

http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policy/pal0303.htm

The lack of health insurance is associated with an increased risk of a decline in overall health among adults 51 to 61 years old

Cited: http://www.articlesbase.com/elderly-care-articles/taking-care-of-mentally-ill-seniors-best-activities-for-mental-stimulation-740232.html http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/98235/E82933.pdf http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policy/pal0303.htm The lack of health insurance is associated with an increased risk of a decline in overall health among adults 51 to 61 years old