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Don't Grow Old
Jul. 27th, 2006 07:38 amI'm nearly 35 and I don't think about what life in my later years will be very often and when I do I know it's more a daydream than anything. Day after day we deal with people in the last innings of their lives at the hospital and there's a disconcerting theme - loneliness. Elders without children bouncing in and out of the hospital and some institution or another because they need a little supervision/attention. Elders with children who are "too busy" to care for their parents doing the same thing.
More than care what we give these folks that they're so desperate for is human kindness and a little company. I can't help but wonder who will do that for me? Who will look after me when I need someone to check in once a week and then once a day? Who will be our caregivers when Mr Bear and I are too old to care for ourselves? Will we be able to be together?
It's frightening to think about but it's good because thee are things we can do about it now. Addressing what I can assuages some of my anxiety about it but my heart still aches for these other souls. No one deserves to be warehoused in the twilight years of their lives.
More than care what we give these folks that they're so desperate for is human kindness and a little company. I can't help but wonder who will do that for me? Who will look after me when I need someone to check in once a week and then once a day? Who will be our caregivers when Mr Bear and I are too old to care for ourselves? Will we be able to be together?
It's frightening to think about but it's good because thee are things we can do about it now. Addressing what I can assuages some of my anxiety about it but my heart still aches for these other souls. No one deserves to be warehoused in the twilight years of their lives.
