“A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It
is easy to love children. Even tyrants and
dictators make a point of being fond
of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the
helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.”
--Abraham J.
Heschel
Most of us have this feeling of not wanting to grow old. Personally, growing old is one of my many fears. Hair loss, wrinkles, poor vision, lessened hearing ability and decreased functioning are just some of those many changes that comes with old age but it is not the reason why I am scared of becoming old. These physical changes are inevitable part of the aging process and everyone will experience it someday.
What is it that I fear about growing
old?
After watching the
documentary film "Dapithapon", I was finally able to answer myself.
Growing old alone is what truly frightens me! Having no one to share your
sentiments in life can be very depressing and lonely.
Looking at the life
of Lola Anching and Lola Lydia on how in a very old age they still manage to earn a living is deeply hurting. With their condition, they should be just
relaxing and enjoying the rest of their days but because of poverty they
couldn't just sit around. Just like in the case of Lola Anching who is hoping
to somehow help her family by selling goods in the street. I was greatly moved
how she is sacrificing to sleep in the doorstep of their house because there was
no more room
for her to stay in.
The film does not
only portray the issue of poverty but as well as the lack of care and concern
of the
family for the elderly. It was also shown in the documentary the life of
many abandoned elderly inside the home for the aged center wherein they are
being taken care of strangers instead of their own relatives. Being part of the
family, our grandmothers and grandfathers have the right to be loved and cared
of.
Lessons Learned:
- Patience and respect
is what they really needed. Taking care of the elderly will really test
our patience so by putting ourselves in their position can somehow help us
to understand them better. Let us make them feel that they are appreciated
and well respected by listening in whatever they have to say.
- Be thankful for
everything. In spite their unfortunate living condition, Lola Anching and
Lola Lydia has still something to be thankful of: they are still
surviving!
Care for the
elderly: family or government's responsibility?
Both the family and
the government have the responsibility of giving care and assistance to the
older population. According to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines Article XV The family Section IV, "The family has the duty to
care for its elderly members but the state may also do so through just programs
of social security. The government has vital role in encouraging the families
to care for the elderly by formulating and implementing policies.
Should they be
discouraged from earning their living?
The government has
the duty to assist those senior citizens who still wishes to work and is
capable to do so by providing them of information and services which will help
them to be productive. Training programs to develop or enhance their skills
will be implemented by some of the government agencies such as the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
If they still have
the capability to work and if that is really what they want then let us give
them the opportunity to be fruitful but not to the point that the burden of
supporting the family for a living will still be on their shoulder.
References:
- Natividad, et al (2005). Caring for the Older Person. UP Open University.
- Philippine Constitutional Law. Retrieved from http://www.chanrobles.com/article15family.htm
- Republic Act no. 9257. retrieved from http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9257.htm
