Healthcare management question

The statement “….and now as the son of an old man, I recognize that there is but one inescapable truth: Our parents will become our children if they live long enough” is a statement that refers to the fact that as parents grow older, they become more dependent on their children for even the most basic things. The writer points out that, similar to childcare, there was always a person left to take care of his father at all times. Moreover, they were lucky to find two dedicated women to help their mother take care of their elderly father’s daily needs.

On top of the necessary continued company and attention, the old man has to be fed with supplemental nutritional feeding. Furthermore, the old man has to be given his daily medicine in a controlled manner and at the same time, they get him to visit his doctor regularly. This kind of attention is greatly similar to the way small children are handled by their parents. Small children require special foods to keep them healthy, regular visits to the doctor, and their medicine use controlled by their parents. These facts further strengthen the writer’s argument that as the parents grow old, they become our children.

Just as children, parents are often misunderstood as they grow older. The writer’s mother failed to understand that the old man was suffering from dementia when he started showing the signs early. The mother saw the old man’s acts of stubbornness and belligerence as acts of stubbornness against her. This article has been very informative on the issues faced by elderly people in the society. It demonstrates the need for children and the government healthcare systems give more attention to the needs of the elderly, as they become more dependent at this stage.