[Caring for the Elderly]

When my father was first hospitalized last January, I got to taste how it was to take care of him. Although he wasn’t a weak man, the heart monitor, the oxygen, and lots of IV fluids connected to him made him not go anywhere, thus, I was tasked to do things for him, especially if he needed to use the bed pan. It was just for one whole day (he was just hospitalized for three days and mom was with him two days), but I felt how it was to finally become a “daughter.” Well, after being hospitalized, my father never really got bedridden, he was actually a strong man with a weak heart, and that weak heart gave up on him a less than two months after.

Before, when he was much strong and much alive, he would teasingly ask me if I would take care of him should he go weak and too old. At times I would get pissed whenever he asked me this because I told him numerous times that I would take care of him. Sometimes he would suggest he would want to go to a shelter for elderly people, but always, always, I told him it was way out of the topic. I would take care of him, end of discussion.

Well, I never really got to do that because he died, but really, should he become bedridden because of his illness, I would most definitely be at his side to take care of him. I guess that’s one of the greatest thing I commend out being Filipino – the way we love our family.

However, my personal point of view may not be like that of others. There are people out there who let other people take care of their elderly family member, may be because their career eats most of their time, or their hands are already full from taking care of their own family. Sometimes, living in a shelter is what the elderly person wanted, so they won’t interfere with their children’s hectic life.

If you’re one of those considering placing your elderly family members in a nursing home, then check out BetterCaring.Com - this site has the answers for your caring questions. Not only that, there is also a community forum so you can discuss with other people topics about the kind of care you want for your elderly. A Totally helpful site with lots of information about caring.

Maybe in time you’re the one who would want to live in a home with fellow elderly. At least this early, you can get knowledgeable about it, so when the time comes, you already know what you want.