How would you like to be treated when you're old?

Hi smashville! I am really hoping you will treat your dad nicely. Please, please be extra patient with him. I have a very soft spot with the elderly. For me, they are so helpless because of their age. It is not your father's fault why he cannot hear well. It is not his fault why he has all these age-related conditions that irritates you to the bones. Please, please be gentle to him. At 74, we can never tell when he will be gone...if you know what I am saying. The years left for him must be cherished. Otherwise, you will just regret it. Respect and care is what they need given his age. He cannot walk like he used to, so please hold his hand and guide him as he walks. He cannot hear like he used to, so speak a bit louder. He cannot function well as he used to, so please be extra patient to him. Whenever you feel like shouting at him because his actions irritates you, think of this: He is your father. When you were just little, you have no idea how irritating you were but he did not give up on you. When you were a kid, maybe you asked him nonsense questions over and over, but he patiently answered all of them because he wanted you to learn. When you were a kid, maybe you wanted him to put you to sleep and he did that every night despite being so tired after work. When you were little, maybe his money were not enough to buy you the clothes and toys and balloons and candies you want but he strived hard and worked his a-- out so to give you what you want. It's your turn to take care of him, no one else SHALL do it but you.

Hello. Few years I work in Nursing home as care assistant so I know what you mean. First you have to have patience. When people are in certain age they became irritated because they feel everything is changing. They got no strength to do some of usual things. This is difficult for them to asking about help. They notice if you have less time for them and you distance your self from them. They feel not needed and lonely. So my friend patience is the first. I would like to be treated with respect. And I would like to feel that I'm still needed. If you have any question regarding your father care or behaviour don't hesitate to ask me. Have a nice day!

Hi smashville, i understand how you feel, but it is good that yiou are trying to analyse it.Just imagine yourself losing your physical strength,hearing capacity ( why dont you get him a hearing aid ! )and just about everything, on top of it all every body around you showing their irritation at what is not your fault !We have to be really very very understanding with old people and also remember that what we want to be when we are old is not in our hands....Give him a lot of love and attention because that is what he wants now at this stage ..I have an aunt who is 91 and she is physically very weak now, but her senses are perfect except that she too has some difficulty in hearing.I visit her twice a week and the way her eyes light up when she sees me makes my day

There is so much hatred of the elderly here in the US that I doubt it will ever happen but I just hope to be treated like a human being. I want to be respected and also not to be told I can or can not do something because I'm "too old".

I don't see myself getting that way, but I am sure it will happen anyway. I just wanted to be treated like I am now. Normal. I am going through some thing like that myself with my father. Although, he is mostly a quit man and does not com pain all the time. I do notice that both my mother and my father are always arguing lately. I guess that part of getting older also. Maybe it has something to do it the fact that they can't do what they once were able to do.

First of all I want to let you know that I understand where your coming from. My grandmother is the same age as your father and she is at the stage where these things are happening to her also. Things she always used to agree with you on she now all of a sudden says the opposite. She has good days and bad days. She has to wear a hearing aid because she has bad hearing also. You do need to be patient as annoying and hard to deal with as it is. Its tough but I am trying so hard to be patient with my grandma when I am around her. She has lately been saying some hateful things about my husband which is very hard to hear and deal with... When I am old I hope to be sweet and nice like I am now. I want people to treat me the way that I treat them. I hope to be so lucky!

Hi. Of course I want to be treated with respect, love and care. Older people are more sensitive and as long as they know that they are loved and cared for they will be happy.

I expect to be treated like a god! People will make sacrifices to me, beg me for favors, but otherwise ignore me unless I bring my wrath down upon them! That can't be too much to ask.

Here in the Philippines our elderly is treated with respect. We are family centered culture. Lots of elder were respected and understand. If I get old, I will be treated with respect. In order to do that respect first yourself and your family. It is like and investment with no sure return. But always pray to God that you're family will be God-centered.

Well, I would like to be independent, would like to live with dignity, when I am old. Ageing has its own problems, you never know how you will be when you are old. There are many health related issues which comes with the age, which may not allow you to be cool always.

I saw some old people that is like your father, they are naturally grumpy and sensitive, but as my mama explained to me, that is natural on old folks,they become sensitive and so easily to be irritated...maybe better if you always have a pen and paper with you, so instead of shouting when he can hear you just write what you want to say, that way he would not say that you're shouting at him. as for me when I get older of course I want to be a cool grandma, but we can't also say that we will be.. so just try to understand your dad more.

In my country the elders are not like that but when i'm old i like to be treated good i mean i treat my grandparents really good i don't shout at them or such staff.