In the past few years, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the mental health of kids, parents, and teachers. We’ve also grown increasingly concerned about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other world catastrophes. Each and every issue we’re facing in today’s world is of the utmost importance, and we should continue to do all that we can to evolve and help in these areas!
It has recently been brought to my attention that there seems to be a demographic covered far less in today’s media and forgotten by many – the aging and elderly.
I often think that our perception of the elderly can accompany negative connotations. We may see them as unattractive, weak, even senile. The society we live in seems to glorify youth, associating it with beauty. Our world values youth over old age and some of us may see the elderly as a burden; because of these stereotypes, we seem to fear growing old.
Growing older has many positive aspects and is a privilege not afforded to all. With age comes wisdom, grace, the freedom to be who you are, and (more importantly) to know who you are. The memories of vacations and each stage of your children’s lives bring so much joy. Retirement allows us to do things we’ve always wanted to try. There are definitely perks to aging. The problem is instead of focusing on these, we focus on the media’s perception of ageism.
Today I wanted to remind my readers of the importance of supporting our elders. With our busy lives, it’s sometimes difficult to remain connected with our parents and grandparents, and often, they become neglected.
From personal experience, I hear the heartache in my parents' voices when I, or my siblings, have not seen or talked to our parents in a while - they miss us terribly! They are so invested in what’s going on in their children and grandchildren’s lives; they just want to remain involved and be a part of it all. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to go from spending every day with your children to not hearing from them for months.
I’ve also spoken with elderly neighbours who live alone and are indeed lonely. When I visit with them, it’s evident how much they miss their children when they haven’t been around for a while. They crave companionship and social interaction.
I have worked with many older people who have shared with me that they don’t want to be a burden to their families. They make excuses for their children’s absence, and the pain in their hearts is palpable.
There are so many things in society that we could work on to enhance the quality of senior’s lives. To begin, it is up to us, their family. It’s important to remember where we came from. Many of our parents sacrificed so much so that we could have a good life. Now, it’s our job to repay them by calling or visiting more. It’s up to us to check in on them, remind them how grateful we are for everything they’ve given us, and remind them how much they are loved! Our presence is the greatest gift we can give!
If you find yourself with a little extra time, volunteer at a senior complex. Just reading to them, playing cards, visiting, or taking them outside for a bit of sunshine can do wonders in every aspect.
My favourite memories from when I worked at a home are the stories from the past. All they endured, the hardships they encountered, and the wars they fought for our freedom is something that should never be forgotten. We shall forever be in debt to them for the paths they paved and the progress they initiated to make the world a better place for us and the generations to come!
Until next time…reach out!