It's because we have become, by-and-large, selfish and self-centered human beings with no moral compass (Scriptures) to direct us to be otherwise.

I have had both experiences. My mother-in-law lived with us until she died and my father was in a nursing home.

My mother-in-law was bedridden for the time she was here and she had the finances to hire someone to help me care for her. It was non-stop round the clock care, but I was not working and there were no little ones at home, so i could do it. Dad, on the other hand, had serious chronic pain issues and to be honest, I would have been *very* uncomfortable dealing with personal things for him.

But the nursing home, which I visited every ...

It's because we have become, by-and-large, selfish and self-centered human beings with no moral compass (Scriptures) to direct us to be otherwise.

I have had both experiences. My mother-in-law lived with us until she died and my father was in a nursing home.

My mother-in-law was bedridden for the time she was here and she had the finances to hire someone to help me care for her. It was non-stop round the clock care, but I was not working and there were no little ones at home, so i could do it. Dad, on the other hand, had serious chronic pain issues and to be honest, I would have been *very* uncomfortable dealing with personal things for him.

But the nursing home, which I visited every other day for almost 3 yrs., tried. There was never enough people to help with total personal hygiene, there was always someone who was crying because of sadness or fear, etc.... But I never saw abuse.

If the government could do anything, I wish it would direct more resources for in-home help; but people have to be willing to assume a huge responsibility and recognize that their lives won't be carefree or full of independence.

@jatfla: I agree with everything you say. With the help of
support services, my Mum was able to stay at home, and the services supported me (psychologically) in visiting her every day. She got great service during her regular stays on the same hospital ward, marvellous to witness - but on the night before her death I was stricken by the uncaring nature of two agency nurses. I guess that as you say life is not perfect and we can be grateful for the good stuff. Your comment raises general points about personal responsibility and state support which i believe is a crucial issue: irresepective of our political attitudes the human dimension of our lives demands personal morality, for me ''love' ...

@jatfla: I agree with everything you say. With the help of
support services, my Mum was able to stay at home, and the services supported me (psychologically) in visiting her every day. She got great service during her regular stays on the same hospital ward, marvellous to witness - but on the night before her death I was stricken by the uncaring nature of two agency nurses. I guess that as you say life is not perfect and we can be grateful for the good stuff. Your comment raises general points about personal responsibility and state support which i believe is a crucial issue: irresepective of our political attitudes the human dimension of our lives demands personal morality, for me ''love' with all its endurance, patience, sacrifices etc, and this dimension eclipses abstract politicising. However, I do think that many elderly (and children, and vulnerable) are too easily discarded by family, or for whatever reason have no one around them to love them, and i believe that 'society' then is responsible for their dignity, wellbeing and humanity.