I’ve just been visiting my elderly aunt, who lives like many others in a supervised facility. I have been caring for the elderly for more than 35 years. I’ve also been on both sides of the table, not only as a family member, but also as a caregiver and sometimes the only person they see.
We read in the newspapers about feeding the homeless through the holidays and I really think that’s great, but we rarely read about the elderly. Our elderly are our past, full of information that we can’t imagine. Not only living during wars and depression, but some were the first settlers in a lot of areas. I’ve spent many a long shift comforting someone who had been dropped off by a family member, neighbor or friend, because they can no longer take care of themselves. I’ve wiped many tears away, said many comforting words and listened to many heart-breaking stories.
This is the holiday season. One person alone cannot make a difference, but many together can. You may not know anyone in one of these facilities, but I encourage you to consider a visit to an elderly person. They should not be treated the way many of them are. We are all going to be old someday, aren’t we? I assure you, not only would a visit make your holidays brighter, but you would definitely make someone very happy. Please, during this holiday season, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and stop in somewhere and visit someone. The help is always glad to see you and believe me, you will never be turned away.
Everett
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