Today I talk a bout the ongoing subject of Elder Abuse. I find myself at loss
of words and understanding to as of how some treat those that brought them
into the world. I often ask myself why is it we toss those that raised us up
with love and tender care away when they become too old and can not take
care of themselves any longer. Our elders are an important part of our society
and have much wisdom and knowledge inside them to offer. They make up the
largest part of our generation and they bring forth many teachings that can
help the younger generation if they are allowed too speak. Why are there
those that can not take care of their parents? Why do they feel that it is to
much of an inconvenience to put aside some of the things in their personal
life's so they can tend to their loved ones properly?
Why do we lock them away in homes and let other's tend to their needs? Why
is it we only go visit them when it serves our self centered purpose? Why is
it? We can not help them to bath them selves because they are not flexible
enough or strong enough to do it for their self. Why is it we can not find the
time to just simply ask them how their night was or day went? There are many
forms of abuse and one must ask themselves, how would they feel if they were
treated in this way? The elder mentions he or she would like to have a bath
as they are dirty and the child goes by their room several hours later and ask
them why they're crying. Could it be the child was to busy sitting at her or his
computer in search of a mate on this the all empowering internet? Could it be
that they feel it is not up to them to see to things as simple as this, because
there are others in the family that could help but chose not too? The point
being that we can always find reasons to neglect our responsibilities towards
our elderly. Few can find reasons to be responsible.
In the village of my people we would never treat our elders in such a way as to
lower their self worth and strip away from them their dignity. We would never
find it an inconvenience to take care of them as they were are caregivers and
they went without much so we could have when times were difficult. They
taught us to be respectful of mother earth and of each other. They raised us
up to understand that the family was our greatest assets and also our greatest
strengths. We were taught that our Elders had much to give, because their
walk in this realm of flesh and bone taught them many things that should be
passed on to those that were young and beginning their own walks through life.
I ask you this, Is it not time that we adjust our ways of thinking? Change
starts one person at a time and it starts with our self first. Is it not time we
think about changing the popular attitudes concerning the treatment of our
Elders?
You are the judge and I invite any and all to submit their thoughts
about this to me. It's the coming together and the sharing of ideas that
eventually causes change. I like to call this cause and effect.
Please feel free to leave behind your thoughts and comments on this article,
Good or bad it doesn't matter. Its by discussing issues that we learn how to
bring about change. Will you help me to change the way we treat our elderly
loved ones? If we work together as one and speak out in one voice, can we
bring about the much need changes concerning the personal and also private
care of our elderly loved ones?
