When you were a child, you were probably dreaming of having a family of your own. You were dreaming of a happy family with a great wife and cute little children. It is why you studied hard and did your best to find a good job. You always thought of a better life. Senior citizens have a lot to consider
Have you figured out what life you may have when you reach your retirement age? Have you prepared for it? These are the questions that all senior citizens should have answered very early. It is because life beyond retirement age is different from that at the beginning of adulthood.
In many Asian countries, people don’t have to worry much about what life they will have when they become seniors. The old world culture of close family ties is still high. It means that seniors are taken care of by their children or by their younger siblings. In fact, a few countries like Japan and South Korea give emphasis on higher respect for older people. And in the Philippines, it is the obligation of children to take care of their parents when they become old.
Such culture still exists. However, senior citizens are treated differently in western countries.
People are busy working while youngsters are preoccupied with their studies and driving their parents crazy. Also, people are more independent and self-sufficient. When children grow up and become adults, they look for jobs and live on their own. As a result, parents start to live alone more or less forever.
Nobody wants this kind of situation, but this can be inevitable. Life goes on, but life is not fair. Many get left behind. Some seniors have no children, or they live far away. Others have prepared for their retirement but not beyond that. Others may have had medical or other expenses that depleted their resources. If this is the case, you may need to turn to the state for assistance. IHSS is a county-run program for low-income senior to get some help. Socially isolated elders are two times as likely to die prematurely. It’s so important to take action. Sometimes the local church can be of assistance. I wish I could list a number options in this post. But sadly this is not the case.