Taking care of aging parents

Philippines
September 17, 2011 9:48pm CST
It has been a filipino tradition to take care of parents especially when they grow old and have no means of support. Please comment on this topic whether it is still practical to do it or just send them to a facility of home where somebody else will look after them.
1 person likes this
8 responses
• United States
18 Sep 11
Yes taking care of parents is always best to be done at home and we do feel it is our duty and responsibility. Keeping in mind that while we were children we too were taken care of. There have been times that some elders do not have enough family to take care of them properly as they deserve and the hardest decision I can imagine is to place them in a nursing home. I have not had to make this type of decision and probably would do my best to do what is best for a parent, keeping in mind that they deserve the best care and medical attention possible.
@louievill (28859)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
hi HWG,, I was surprised and happy at the same time, you seem to talk and think as if your are one of us, your feelings and sentiments are so similar to mine
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Sep 11
Awwh how sweet! I have noticed a great deal of similarities and being that you are from Philippines and I am Puerto Rican, there are a lot of similar words/meanings with both of our cultures. This is something I truly appreciate being a member here, as I have learned that we are quite similar here. Something I would not have seen in great depth, offline.
@BLTLife (337)
• United States
18 Sep 11
sweetheart, im in the same boat as you. my parents are from poland, and i'm here first generation. it will vary greatly between people and cultures and whats appropriate. i know that americans want their folks to go to old folks homes, and probably for good reason, i don't believe americans hate their families. it's just really hard taking care of older people when you still have to work for your children, etc. but anyway, i'm definitely going to take care of my parents when i get older. it's polish tradition. i will let them stay with me, take care of them, and make sure they are as healthy as possible. i believe very strongly in the virtue of family, and i would never dream of sending the people that loved me, supported me, and still talk to me after all the crazy stuff i've done, to a old folks home. i love them way too f'n much to even consider them being there. they are definitely staying with me when they get older. no. i would never, ever, ever, ever put my parents in a home.
• Philippines
18 Sep 11
I agree it's also a filipino tradition thanks for your comment.
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
18 Sep 11
For me it's not tradition. It just shows how Filipinos love their family so much. It also shows the bond between Filipino parents and their children and how it goes stronger over time. I'm happy and proud to be a Filipino because of this bond and I will imbue this to my children as well.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
19 Sep 11
In the Philippines, it's more cost efficient if the aged stays with their children rather than a home for the aged. Unlike in developed countries where, people are so busy with making a living they hardly have time for the old ones. Here, there are unemployed people in the household who look after the welfare and needs of the elderly.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
18 Sep 11
The situation is not so easy as more and more children leave the shores seeking greener pastures and mostly with the parents' encouragement. When this happens it is difficult for children to be with their parents. Reliable caretakers seem to be the answer.
@jricky1 (6800)
• China
19 Sep 11
Of course i will take good care of my aging parents.I love them so much and there is only one child in my family.So i would take that responsibility of that.and i give them one call every day.God bless.
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
18 Sep 11
hi epinada! Nice topic, and welcome to mylot. I think that taking care of aging parents is more practical than putting them in a nursing home. Nursing homes are very expensive here in the Philippines. Also I think it's only proper that we take care of our parents when they can no longer take care of themselves, or if they have their own place, hire a maid to help them with their daily chores. I don't see why we have to send parents to nursing homes (unless they want to) when they didn't send us to reform school when we were kids. They took care of us when we couldn't do it ourselves, so I think, out of respect and love, that we take care of our parents
@ckciasigurl (2081)
• Italy
18 Sep 11
hi epineda! take good caring of the aging parents is done at home because a nursing home agent is expensive , here in our country it is much more better to take good care at home to have a less expenses ,