THE LATER YEARS

Suffering in silence!

The number of unwanted parents who struggle alone without anyone to help is in the increase. Neglecting one's aged parents, whatever the reason, is wrong. However, it is a relief that there are, on the other hand, people who care for the elderly.

Older people sometimes see themselves as no longer being productive members of society. They often feel they have been moved aside to make way for others. They miss the job satisfaction they had, and the economic security that went with it. Parents whose families are grown feel less needed than they once were. Because the nuclear family (parents and children) has largely replaced the extended family (three or more generations living together), many of the links between generations are broken. The views of grandparents are no longer sought in family management and, in some cases, are refused. The loss of role of director or adviser is especially hard for some older people.

For a number of reasons, old people turn inward and attend increasingly to their personal needs. They no longer actively attempt to change their environment, but adopt a passive attitude toward it. As they grow older, the feeling of displacement sets in.

Some old people talk about the past a lot. The joys of their life are relived in memory. Enjoying through what others do also becomes important.