How were the elderly handled in the past years compared to the present day ?

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   kj forceposted 12 years ago

   How were the elderly handled in the past years compared to the present day ?
   
   The news has been reporting how people today are overwhelmed with taking care of their children and elderly parents...

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   mjboomerposted 12 years ago

   What a great question! The answer is difficult and complex. Beginning with a question, How long ago?
   For example people are now living much longer than ever before and therefore we see many more folks of advanced age, say over 80. Due to the declines in mental and physical functioning we experience as we reach advanced age, elders are requiring more care. Given the expense of care, families become primary caregiver for ageing parents or family members.
   Until the 70's and 80's nursing homes were the only choice for elders and their families if the family could not provide care for their family member. Nursing homes provided care for everyone on a spectrum from moderate to advanced states of debility. Today the retirement community landscape includes everything from resort style independent living to nursing homes.
   Now we see ageing in place initiatives with services delivered to the home, advances in technology, and wellness initiatives that will hopefully provide choices, independence and dignity for all of us as we age.

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      kj forceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You basically hit the nail on the head with your comment..People are living longer..however..they are also more medicated a pill for everything
      environment plays a big part in life today.. actually word" old "  gets younger everyday...

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years ago

   In my city of a million people, I see a large number of older women ages 60 - 80 caught in the position of caring for their own adult children (Boomers), grandchildren, and even young great grandchildren, because of the problems of drug abuse and other mental health problems in the younger generations. Some of the adult children are in prison for drug related crimes.  We have support programs for "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren."
   
   At the same time, I see an increasing number of homeless senior citizens ages 50 to 70, because of work layoffs and/or high medical bills. many retirees here find that their incomes do not allow them to move into any retirement facility.
   A lot of assistance programming does not kick in until ages 55, 62, or 65, so older people are roaming the streets here more often than 20 years ago.
   
   Simultaneously, I am seeing an increase in elder abuse. For example, one older woman is being helped right now because she was kept in an attic and brought down only to care for four young children while parents went drinking. She was held captive by the other adults manipulating her medications.

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      kj forceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is but another example of how the world/society is destroying itself..and we are aloowing it to happen...disgusting..thanks for your input..

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   Sue St. Clairposted 12 years ago

   A comparison of elderly care between 1900 and the 2000's in terms of who provided care, where it was provided and the options available. read more

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      kj forceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      read the hub you wrote..excellent write/research..enjoyed..

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   Tonipetposted 12 years ago

   The simplicity and slower pace of life before has paved more way for love and care for the elderly in the past many years. Because people were not much focused on too busy-ness of life and the lure of wanting things the modern way, most families have time for each other, allowing them to better think of ways to benefit each member in the whole entirety. Even children find it wonderful spending times with grandmother and grandfather because their young minds were not yet distracted with the excitements of technological fun. Even with those on nursing homes, they get more visits and attention from family members not yet diverted to the so much embrace of modernization.  In short, the elderly received more time, care and attention from a more balanced form of life. In my opinion :

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      kj forceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      just another example of what the " great technologies" have brought to the table...sure miss the old days...and the old ways...thanks for the feedback...

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   Agnes Pennposted 12 years ago

   In past years the elderly were not "handled".  They simply participated within the family.  Families whose base was not competing with each other, but helping each other survived crises such as the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, World Wars and health hazards (name the epidemic).  In such families being old was not a disease, a threat to the young or a convenience to the old.  Everyone sacrificed and pulled their own weight while helping whoever walked next to them.
   This can still happen more often if people stopped fearing tomorrows and started trusting God Who has everything under control, and loving one another selflessly.

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      kj forceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry if I offended you.." handeled" was used inappropriately..I meant the issue of  perception regarding elders in society.. recently the media had remarked how
      " overwhelmed " caregivers were..Thank you for your feedback...I agree by the way.

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      Agnes Pennposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No offense taken.

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   celafoeposted 11 years ago

   with love and care not disdain.   They were considered a blessing to have around not a curse like today

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      kj forceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      celafoe..It is sad that the elder members of a family are looked on with disdain..I believe it is because so many people are overwhelmed by their own lives we have become a disposable society thus seniors become as " used tissues " thanks for comment

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      celafoeposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      it is all to be laid at the feet of the church system.   God used to be in charge of it but lt has been hijacked by self seeking hirelings that care only for their own enrichment leaving  this generation  bereft of Godly character,self love seekers

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   Cisyposted 7 years ago

   I write from India.
   Taking care of elderly was just a matter of setting priorities.We made sure to provide good personal care to our older generation with love and compassion which came naturally to us. There were no distractions and compulsions to stay away from home for work or pleasure. There was no media exposure which takes away our productive  time and mind through lost and wasted routes.
   The entire family sat together to make constructive decisions on how to go about taking care of members in a family.
   Experienced older members decided and guided the younger ones who faithfully agreed and followed instructions.
   There was unconditional love and family values instilled from childhood.
   The world has now changed ...with options like retirement homes which prompts both the elderly and the younger generations to build walls and stay confined to their own spaces, making the next generation completely unaware about the  elderly .
   It is advisable to have geriatric behaviours, their needs and care, as a compulsory subject in high school to bring about positive changes in outlook towards the elderly in the coming generations .

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   tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

   It wasn't nearly such a burden because:
   * far fewer people lived to be so old they couldn't work
   * those who lived to old age didn't live very long after disability; Social Security used to start at 65 when life expectancy was 62
   * the burden was divided between the larger number of capable adults and charities as necessary

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