by Sheila Cameron

Created on: September 18, 2009

Our family values in this modern information age has been the stimulus for our reaction to the elderly. How many of us know the elderly neighbour and check in to make sure they are alright. Do we wait until we see the milk has been collected, the mail is stacking up or the newspapers haven't been taken in.

If we did go and offer our services, would the elderly person in question be too frightened because of all of the horrendous incidents on the news and news reports in the papers. We have created the world in which the majority of the elderly live.

Elderly people have so much to contribute in this modern society than we have given them credit for particularly in these times of recession. We could learn so much from a generation that had to be frugal in what they did on a day to day basis let alone on a month to month basis.

Grandparents have much to contribute in terms of the development of the children within there family. My Grandmother always said it takes a community to bring up a child not just the parents. My Grandmother taught me how to bake, cook, knit and sew. Now these tasks you may think oh please but they taught me how to survive as a young girl of 19 living alone in my first flat. My Grandfather taught my brother all that was necessary in the maintenance of a car and the basics in DIY. You may think oh this is sexist but those were the days when society to a point was balanced.

There was a sense of respect for the elderly which unfortunately has long since passed. The elderly would be the source of the family history, the holder of the good old photo album and the hosts of the good old Sunday lunch which brought the family together.

In our fast paced lives we no longer have the time to give to make sure they are okay, to listen to their stories or appreciate the knowledge they have to passed down. Now our elders are called Google and Yahoo. These elders do not give the cuddles we need when we are upset, make us feel welcome when others haven't and taught us the true value of family.

So how do we change how the elderly can contribute to society? How do we re-open the door and welcome them back? Oh and don't sit there and think it is for them to do. We are the generation to allowed them to end up hiding in the shadows, to be perceived as a burden on our daily lives and society.

We need to change these attitudes as this will be us one day. Who wants to be pushed to the side made to feel of no value, when you still have so much to give.

We as a community

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