THE report, 'Who cares for these when they grow old?' (Sept 3), has no simple answers.
Ideally, homes for the aged should be on the ground floor of HDB blocks so their families can help and visit regularly, and grandparents will not feel abandoned. It will also be not so scary for the aged with their families nearby.
If we put our old folk far from those they love because of a shortage of space at home or nursing needs, we are telling them we do not want them, and we break their hearts.
If we care for our parents who brought us up, the best solution is void deck homes for the aged, and as many as possible. The aged will be forever grateful as they will not be so lonely or fearful of the future.
We should love the aged and not treat them as unwanted beings to be hidden in a remote place, away from their familiar surroundings.
The ideal solution is for the aged to stay home until their last days, but unfortunately, only the wealthy can afford nurses to take care of their aged parents at home.
It was back-breaking for me when I had to bathe and change my aged mother after the maid left. As I had a minor stroke many years earlier, it was a struggle for me just to shift her sleeping position to prevent bed sores.
I hope that when these homes for the aged become a reality, the charges will be reasonable. Private homes for the aged are too costly for most people.
Source, Straits Times, 18 Sep 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment