Elderly people in modern society

Elderly people are the backbone of modern society. They have shown us and continue to show us what can be done and exactly how to do it. There is not enough respect for all the people that have gone before us. Elderly people have been "there" and done just about everything we can think about. They've probably done some things that they prefer not to think about either! Most will not admit to all that they have done; but they have the best of lifes stories.

Elderly people are no different than the rest of us. They are older, a little less flexible and sometimes may have to think about things for a longer period of time. I knew one lady that I would have hired in a minute. She had to retire from a law office at ninety because her boss was retiring at seventy. I find that a large percentage of my friends, range in age from seventy to ninety-seven. Older people have been around the block more than a few times. They tend to be witty, interesting and are so much fun to be around. They love to party, have fun, and be around people that they love and care about. Sound like they are no different than the rest of us!

In the Asian society, the elderly are respected and looked up to. Unfortunately, in American society this is not always true. Elderly people in our society are sometimes viewed as a nuisance and not valued for the wonderful people that they are. The medical community can be very harsh on the elderly. They use the justification that they have already lived their lives. They ignore medical conditions that would never be ignored on a younger person. My mother would have never made eighty-nine without my intervention. There seems to be a misnomer in this society that older people are useless and have nothing to contribute!

Older people are sometimes told that they are useless, or just simply ignored. Even though they are older, they have feelings and would like to enjoy the same respect and joy that a younger person enjoys. You see the elderly working at the Wal-Mart doors. They also work with the county and use their skills and knowledge to help the people who are starting a business. They are the volunteers at hospitals (pink ladies); they man many of the soup kitchens and are an asset to our community. They are the Grand Mothers and Grand Fathers of our children, and are our Mothers and Fathers. They deserve our love and respect. We owe a lot of our successes in life to our seniors. They are the ones who have gone before us and are here to show us the way.

People are living longer and are much more active than in anytime in the past. People in who are in their 80's are not afraid to drive across the United States to visit a friend. The Grand Mothers and Grand fathers of today are the people who tell our children stories of their past. They are the people who have time to show our children the value of unconditional love. The elderly of today are active and do not let any grass grow under their feet. The biggest problem they face other than health is dealing with their kids. Just because someone is older it does not mean that their children have the right to tell them what to do or how to live their lives. My Mom believed that "You should live until you die". A life should never be wasted and people should live every moment of their life to its fullest!

As long as your parents have a sound mind and almost sound body; leave them be. Let your parents live their lives the way that they want to. They took care of you all their lives; now it is their turn to do as they please and enjoy life. Our responsibility to our parents is to make sure that they have they things they need such as proper food, shelter and are as happy as they can be. If they want to travel and they are able; we should wish them well and send them on their way. A few extra bucks slipped into their wallet would be a nice gesture!

"Old" Age is nothing like it used to be! Older people want to get out, enjoy life and just have fun. There is a dance called the "Chicken" and I have seen eighty and ninety year old people, squat like they were laying an egg, and then stand up and do it again. These are the same people who entered the room with canes and were complaining about their aches and pains. I agree with my Mother; I wish for all older people to live their lives to the fullest. Their kids should not be telling them how to behave for their age. My Mom was always a lot of fun to be around. She enjoyed and appreciated all the wonders in life. We both believe that life should be lived to its fullest, and that we should never take the time to waste even a moment!