The increasing number of older people in our nation has created adjustments that call for family decisions. The question is, "How do we best serve the needs of the elderly and their families?" Earlier this week I received the following e-mail from a student who was participating in a debate that deals with this issue.
Dear Dr. Stanley Watson,
I'm 16 years old. I need some help, or rather points, on my debate topic which is "Old People Are Better Off In The Old Folks Homes". We are the opposing team. I hope you can help me on this.
I found some good pointers in your internet resource, therefore I thought you could help me. I would appreciate it if you could send me the details on this topic by Friday which is the 18th of April, 1997.
Thank you,
Adelina
Dear Adelina:
I am sorry that I received your e-mail request on the 20th (today) and could not offer help for your debate on the 18th. The points I would have offered would have been as follows:
l. The majority of elderly people are self-sufficient and do not need to enter an Old Folks Home.
2. The adjustment to group living is very difficult and often results in emotional and mental regression of the elderly.
3. There are viable alternatives to a nursing home that would be better for those who only need a measure of care and in these instances the old person can continue to live at home.
In some families there are relatives who could spend part or full time in looking after their loved ones.
Home health care is available in many communities and is paid for by Medicare.
Competent non-professionals can be paid to care for the disabled elderly.
In making these points I am aware that the mental condition of a minority of the elderly deteriorates to the point that they seriously need to be in a day care or an in-patient facility and some, because of their condition and the family circumstances, will need to be placed in the Old Folks Home.
I was pleased to hear from you, Adelina, and hope that you did well in the debate.
Sincerely,
Stanley J. Watson
I need to point out that a decision affecting an older person should be made only after he or she has understood and approved it. While some are not able to make important decisions, the majority are well able to do so. It is a wise family that protects the dignity and self-esteem of the elderly as well as their physical well being.
Most elderly people remain mentally competent until the day of their death and many are most productive in the last years of a long life.
Entertainer George Burns played to sell out crowds into his late nineties.
Ronald Reagan led the nation in a masterful way including the winning of the cold war while in his seventies.
May keeps an immaculate house and a yard full of flower beds that Bellingrath Gardens would be proud of. She is a widow eighty-eight years of age with a sharp mind and a great sense of humor.
Mary Jane cooked her special dish of chicken and dumplings for the regular family gathering one Sunday, went home to her little cottage feeling fine, then went to sleep to awaken in the presence of her loved ones and friends of long ago. She was ninety-three.
©Copyright 1997 Dr. Stanley Watson and VideComp, Inc.
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