Myth and Responsibility

It's a myth that all old people are sick, incapable of learning and needing someone to watch constantly over them. It's also a myth that most need public care. In fact, many, if not most, older people are quite capable of caring for most of their own needs. They can live in their own homes or apartments, leading active, productive lives.

They can learn new things, perhaps attend college classes. Some have learned to play a musical instrument or trained to run a seniors' marathon. Many find pleasure and reward by serving others who have physical and emotional needs. Perhaps the most important matter of all - they can provide a wealth of wisdom and experience to pass along to the younger generation.

All these valuable experiences will not be conveyed if at age 65 or 70 we put everyone away in a "warehouse" for old people. But the young and the old lose out. Sadly, many young people today lack patience and temperance. Listening to the wisdom only years of life and experience can bring is indeed wise.

Paul, for instance, advised the older women "that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children" (Titus 2:4). The older generation must pass on life's lessons. To learn from parents and grandparents about marriage and rearing children is to learn from those who have been there and know what it takes. Honor, love, respect and care for the aging are important responsibilities.