Today’s society, or the younger than me generation, does not seem to respect anyone let alone an elderly person. I shiver to think what will happen to my group (baby boomers) when we are too old to care for ourselves.

Right now in Canada, an older citizen can enter a nursing home and be cared for by well trained staff. There are dietitians to see that the food is appropriate to a geriatric diet, nurses to look after medications and medical concerns, personal care attendants to care for the grooming and bathing needs of the residents in the home, and recreation directors to provide exercise and social events. All of these services cost a great deal of money but as a taxpayer I am happy to assist in the care of our most senior citizens through my tax dollars.

I don’t think that my group will be looked after by the youngsters on the scene today. It is my theory that they have it all figured out. Why care for the old fogy? Why waste all that money? Since they (the seniors) are just waiting to die, let’s speed it up and put the old codgers to sleep just like you would an aged pet!

I realize that this may sound somewhat dramatic but look at the demographics of the situation. The baby boomers are the largest group on earth right now. As we enter our retirement, the younger set coming behind us are going to be expected to provide the tax money to care for us. I don’t think they’re going to be too happy with that situation.

On a serious note, the older person has much to offer. He/she can provide a first person account on events that I’ve only read about. For example, in 1917 there was a horrific explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, caused by two ships colliding in the harbour, one of which was filled with munitions. My grandmother was 15 years old and in school a couple of hundred kilometres away from the city. She remembered that there were vibrations in her area which was quite distant.

When I moved to s new town a few years ago, my neighbour, who was well into his 80’s, was able to give me much of the local history of not just the town but the street we lived on as he had been on it for over 50 years.

My husband at one time administered a nursing home. I got to know a number of elderly residents and was impressed by their desire to live what life they had left to the fullest - and by their sense of humour. Yes, there were a few that you would like to take to the harbour and drown but they were the exception, not the rule.

An older person is a treasure and should be treated as such. He/she has seen and done things that you may never experience. They have stories to tell and help us to capture our history before it is lost. Teach your youngsters to honour and respect them for some day you will be the elder and if they try to put me to sleep, I’m not going to go quietly!