I know what you mean, Ken, and I'm no better: my mother lives in Portugal with
my stepfather, but I anticipate having to live closer to her when she is a bit
older. However, I can imagine what it would be like living with her . . .
(nuff said).
I agree that there should be state provision of support for the elderly and
other vulnerable individuals, but I don't think that I could live in a
sheltered community like Sun City.
Chris
On 15 Apr 2011, at 22:10, Ken Norton wrote:
>> Poorly people have to be looked after in appropriate places, but Sun City
>> looks like a ghetto for the elderly. In many countries the elderly live
>> with their offspring, or nearby at least, while they are healthy enough to
>> do so.
>
>
> I hate to say it, but the American Culture has less respect for the
> elderly. But on the flip side, I'd say that it is our own doing. What
> has resulted is a nanny-state where thanks to all sorts of programs,
> such as Social Security, Medicaid/care, heating assistance, etc.,
> etc., there is no need for us younger generations to directly care for
> our elderly. There are places we send them and government paid ways
> for them to be cared for. Doesn't cost me a dime other than the taxes.
>
> Granted, these programs were all necessary to address the extreme
> poverty issues among portions of the population--especially when a
> younger generation wasn't available to care for them, but those very
> programs created to assist in monetary means destroyed the very fabric
> of the family assistance.
>
> But, that's not the entire story, though. American Culture is also
> based on migratory traits. Most of our ancestors migrated here from
> other countries, and every generation migrates to another part of the
> country. I'm of a family of eight kids and not a single one of us
> lives within 400 miles of where we grew up. Does that make us bad
> people? Or are we just following the American tradition? I do call my
> dad every few weeks.
--
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