“People, not Problems”
As a blogger and social media nightmare of the eldercare sector, I see it as my duty to keep up to date with media and in particular the online press coverage of “the elderly”.
That’s it though, isn’t it? “THE ELDERLY” clumped thoughtlessly together in a homogenous characterless group.
“THE ELDERLY” clumped thoughtlessly together in a homogenous characterless group.
The Guardian often cover “Issues” to do with elderly people but it is always on the subject of either health or aspects affecting social care, CONDITIONS.
On many of the media portals, the elderly don’t even feature as a category in their own right. Surely after all people have contributed to society in 60 odd years, they could be afforded this mark of respect?
We have categories such as health, technology, lifestyle. Where is social care ( the Guardian publication, they do have a section) most news sites don’t even have “family” down as one.
It is as if the elderly are seen by society as a “problem and not a person” their health and housing issues given more importance than how they feel. A holistic society would consider all these aspects, no wonder younger people fear ageing, it is not respected. It is in our culture seen as a failure to become old, whilst in others, the elderly are loved and respected as age brings knowledge and wisdom.
So much needs to change and so much money is needed for change, however, incremental ones cost nothing – only a shift in mindset. Let’s start to see the elderly as the individual’s they are and not an “issue”. Let’s discover what ageing feels like to them, not as a physical decline per say more how they feel as people. It doesn’t take University researchers to do this and nor should it. It is the responsibility of us all to make society think differently.
We need to look at the bigger picture and then with this evidence we can plan a care sector that is better geared for people-centered care. Blue sky thinking or a logical idea?
