Increasing requests

MINISTER Vuniwaqa’s comment that the increasing requests for the elderly to be placed in homes is cowardly and irresponsible (FT 16/6) reflects on her limited understanding of social change in contemporary Fiji society.

To see such requests as a case of elderly neglect and abuse is reductionistic.

There are many and varied reasons for such requests.

Often it’s not on account of the absence of love and care but rather the ability to cope since many of the elderly require specialised care for which the people at home are not equipped.

For me as a former social welfare worker in Fiji, it is truly amazing how many people continue to look after their elderly folks at home despite this.

I believe if a minister made a comment like that about people placing their elderly folks in institutional home care in Australia, the minister would be minister no more the day after! RAJEND NAIDU

Sydney, Australia