That Horrible Old Age

                            by Vic Odarve.

We are all getting older, whether we like it or not, and that horrible old age, dubbed "elderly," has two faces to contend with: a deplorable stage or reasonably opulent living conditions.

Bantilan's Family

Deplorable senior conditions are common among poor families in our civilized society, where they live alone in their homes without the care or assistance of their sons or daughters. On the other hand, wealthy seniors naturally spend their golden years in the homes of their children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends, where they are lavished with sensitive affection and care.

The first image is still horrifying. The elderly who are unable to care for themselves suffer the most. In most cases, key members of the family or dear relatives simply abandon or did not extend the needed help. Some of them are bedridden, paralytic, and others are stricken with diseases that place them in very deplorable conditions. They clearly need valuable assistance, compassion, and understanding, and kindness from a well-minded individual.

Old folks at home- Mayana Village

On other hand, there are some elderlies who still enjoy life living together with their children or grandchildren as they have done since the beginning. Of course, majority are traditionally supported by the relatively affluent families and lifelong friends. Most of them are typically receiving modest pensions and other potential benefits from governments. They are properly treated as members of their children’s family with basic needs in social life. This instantly reminding us to properly take care of our own dear children at the prime of our life.

No one really knows how long a person lives. For those who are not fortunate enough typically ended their twilight years in the government homes for the aged, away from their beloved children and legitimate grandchildren, relatives, and friends. As by most cultural tradition, parents who care their children through thick and thin throughout the journey in their lives and able to manage knitted family ended their twilight years under the affectionate arms of their children.

Casimero Dagangon
103 yrs old-Mayana

 Despite notable advances in the modern medical profession, all of us are getting older about the passing years; the conscious thought of what might happen naturally to us as we cross to the dark side of old age. It is a real drama of our modern life. Some are fortunate enough to enjoy life.  Recently, my neighbor living in a village of Mayana, Casimero Dagangon received a cash award for having reached the 100 yrs old.

 Civilized mankind must return from dust to dust, but before knocking out to the world stage, an unspeakable old age presses people down, rendering either living in a deplorable or well-cared stage in their lives. The fundamental fact is, most of us come to a frail stage and whether we like it or not, that awful old age is a reality that everyone must accept.