Elderly care
CHILDREN are dumping their parents in aged care facilities because they are adopting Western lifestyles and practices.
This was the view shared by Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation principal welfare officer Dilitiana Baleinabuli.
Speaking at the International Day for Older Persons celebrations at the Golden Age Home in Samabula, Suva on Thursday, she said the number of elderly residents in aged care facilities was increasing because young couples did not want to be burdened and inconvenienced with looking after their elderly parents.
“We are encouraging people to revisit the basics, in terms of their values,” Mrs Baleinabuli said.
“Most of these residents, their children have turned their back on them.
“Caring for aged citizens is about nurturing love, respect and care, we need to be genuine about it as well.
“Young people are confused with values because they try to copy the Western way of living.
“A lot of young people, when they get married, they listen to their better half and just want a nuclear family.
“The dynamics of homes have changed resulting in having a lot more residents in here.”
She said young people needed to consider it a blessing to care for senior citizens and to show them the love they deserved as nurturers.
“I think the basic message is for us to encourage families to look after their own elders. Because they age with dignity in their own families, if you do a case study, you will find out that most of them are saddened by the fact that they are being placed here by their very own loved ones and families.”