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Living in the Twilight Years

February 10, 2008

Just this morning, as I was getting a cd from downstairs, I glanced through our windows and saw our elderly neighbors across our house and thought if they are wondering what I’m doing home most of the time when they used to see me rushing to work so early every morning? And then it just hit me, am I doing the right thing in my life? Is it really right for me to retire this early from work and just go on following my passion and other dreams? What about my pension when I do get to that retirable age of 60? Will I be able to take care of myself? And even if Peter and I do have kids some time soon, will our future kids be able to take care of us considering how fast-paced everything is now?  Therefore, life would be so much more fast-paced in the future, right?  Then I thought of my aging parents. How will I be able to take care of them when sometimes I couldn’t even take care of myself? Such grave questions to answer so early this morning…
 

It has been a tradition in most comunities that aging parents and grandparents live with their respective families. But maybe there are better ways of doing this. I’m sure there is a facility somewhere out there where our aging folks can be better taken care of by professionals who would really know their needs and wants, like a nursing home, perhaps. Although there is an option to hire a professional caregiver to monitor old folks in their own homes, nursing homes can provide the best professional health care and support there is, especially to those already suffering from certain ailments like Alzheimer’s and the likes. We can be assured that their new shelter best suits them — it’s safe, secure and surrounded by people who are professionally trained to take care of them. As their family, we can always visit them and show them our love. At least, we wouldn’t be left juggling so hard two important responsibilities — making a living and lliving our lives. At the end of the day, we can all have peace of mind.


In nursing homes, our folks will be with their contemporaries — people with common interests and who love to talk about the good ‘ol days. Activities are arranged making it seem more like being on a holiday every waking day of their twilight years. There are excursions, sports activities, movie watching, play time, community and social affairs, etc. They won’t even have to worry anymore about cooking, cleaning, washing, etc., because there will be people doing that for them. Their only concern now would be to enjoy their twilight years in the company of other people like them. This would put them in a much more carefree mood as compared to always being left alone at home in front of the TV.

 
Having said all these, looks like I’m getting pretty excited too for my twilight years! Now, being better educated with what a nursing home can do, it’s not so bad after all. There is always a choice for us all to live and leave in  peace.


Posted by sexynomad at 12:42 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

how would you feel if your kids put you in a “shelter”? your parents took care of you and gave you a home and i don’t think they ever thought of putting you in a “shelter” just so they could live their lives… just commenting.this is your space and i respect that.

Posted by kalalili at February 12, 2008, 1:33 pm

Hi there kalalili!

I’d rather be put in a nursing home when I grow old. A nursing home that’s more like a Country Club. Coz there, I’d be very busy with activities that I like — socializing with my peers, attending book clubs, watching movies, maybe even playing games appropriate for an 80 year old me. Anyway, my kids can always visit me whenever they want. I’m not one to pressure them to take care of me coz I know they also have their own lives to live. I’m cool like that. :-)

Maybe, what you have is an old notion about nursing homes where oldies are left or abandoned. It’s no longer like that today. Nursing homes are actually cool places to live! They have swimming pools, tennis courts, theater halls, etc. I won’t mind living there. As compared to being left at home with helpers when my kids and grandkids are at work and in school and all that’s left for me to do is watch TV. Nursing homes are more fun! And I’d like to live the rest of my twilight years in a fun-filled environment. Coz that’s just who I am. That’s the way God made me. And I’d like to glorify Him by being ME. :-)

Posted by sexynomad at February 12, 2008, 3:00 pm

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