Thoughts on the Elderly

Not all of us are lucky to have our families still care for us when we grow old. In the Philippines, it is part of our culture to have extended families all living under one roof so there is always someone who can look after the seniors in the family.

However, in most western countries, the opposite is true. Most of the elderly wind up in nursing homes because there is no one in their family who can take care of them. Others prefer this because they do not want to be a "burden" on their relatives. Others just want to be in the company of their peers.

I, personally, was raised on the idea that we are obligated to look after our parents when they grow old. It is what we Filipinos term it as "Debt of Gratitude." We believe that we are somehow indebted to our parents because they have gone through so much sacrifice when they took care of us as children. In other words, it is payback time.

I have nothing against people placing the elderly in homes. In fact, if it is for everybody's happiness, then I am all for it. To each his own I guess.