Spend more time with your elderly parents (Sunday Times 14 June)
I refer to last Sunday’s article, ‘Elder abuse cases ‘may rise with the recession”.
I am alarmed that there may be more such cases during this recession. As families grapple with unemployment and lack of resources, the needs of the elderly will inadvertently be ignored. Subsequently, many elderly people may become depressed or even harbour suicidal thoughts.
Many families in distress I know have taken their children out of tuition classes or their parents out of daycare centres. Maids are also being laid off as the breadwinners become jobless.
I faced similar tension when I became jobless during the Sars period some years ago. My mother, however, was understanding and occasionally paid the bills. She was very self-reliant then and was never a burden to us.
However, she suffered a stroke about two years ago and is now partially dependent on a maid to help her around. She lives with my brother, and I would visit her occasionally.
My mum is now a shadow of her former vibrant self. Her hair is grey, and she hardly smiles.
I believe the problem is that she feels bored and neglected as no one talks to her much. Most of us are too busy with work or our social lives to sit down and chat with her.
Recently, I took her out for tea at a shopping mall, and I could tell that she was really happy.
Never mind that I had to catch a cab to take her to the mall and that she needed assistance in getting around. My only regret is that I had not done this more often.
After all, my mum is already 78, and there is only so much time left for us to pamper her.
Our elderly folk do not need a lot of money from us, but they do want us to spend more time with them. This may need some effort on our part, but I would rather spend more time with my mother now than to regret not having done so when she is no longer around.
Life is short, so take your elderly parents out as often as you can. The memories will be long-lasting.
Gilbert Goh
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