Old age is undoubtedly a blessing, but it often comes with its own set of challenges. Even when finances are not a concern, the challenge of loneliness can be a significant issue for the elderly.
All things being equal, by the time parents grow old, their children must have been dispersed across the whole states or countries and even if any child decides to live in the same city, they will be living away from home battling with the challenges of raising their own family.
An elderly obviously needs care as it gets difficult doing most of the things they would ideally do on their own at younger age when they are old but the question becomes where best would these care be received?
Retirement Homes
Retirement homes are facilities where professional caregivers and geriatricians work; these people are trained specially to take care of the elderly providing round-the-clock care.
The main advantage is the availability of these caregivers all the time providing medical assistance too especially for elderly parents who are suffering from chronic illnesses and cognitive decline illnesses such as dementia.
One major advantage of retirement homes is their ability to address Loneliness which is a major issue for the elderly. They do this by providing social gatherings and often engage in group activities, hobbies and communal dining, helping residents stay socially active and mentally engaged.
Also, these facilities take away the physical and emotional burden of care from the family members enabling them to have time for their own daily activities since caring for the elderly persons can be exhausting while ensuring their loved ones receive optimal care too.
However, even in these facilities, some elderly individuals may feel abandoned as it feels like starting a whole new life with different set of people you never knew before.
Despite the professional care provided, nothing can truly replace the warmth and love of family. Not to talk of the constant visitations needed when you leave your elderly ones at their care.
Family Care
For family care however, it's seen as an emotional and moral duty to care for the elderly backed up with the Igbo adage, "onye zucha nwa, nwa ya azu a ya", which literally means your children are obligated to care for you after you've cared for them.
Family care to a great extent enhance their emotional well-being seeing their grandchildren play with them. Family care also strengthens family bonds and makes the elderly feel more at home unlike facilities for the elderly.
However, family care comes with its own challenges taking toll on the family member giving the care as it demands significant time, energy and emotional investment.
In conclusion, care of the elderly isn't simply about the place, what matters the most is that the person still feels the love and gets the emotional support he or she craves and this is what makes any choice of place we choose right.
Thanks for reading and have a nice day ahead 👍
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I just love your conclusion. The love they get matters so much as some may be home but the kids don't bother so much about the welfare of the parents that is with them let alone when they are kept out.
Thanks for sharing
I feel giving them that love and attention is the most important thing
Thanks for stopping by
My pleasure