Families can help stop nursing home abuse | Cumberland Times-News

October 05, 2009 To the Editor: People like Dad are like rainbows. They come into your life in the midst of a storm and remind you that hope and love and promise are still there.

[ImTiredOf_It]

I hear people these days saying they don't trust their children. But if you go back in time, for the most part, parents did not think like that. Decades ago, a piece of young people's hearts was always at home. In fact, the trend of children being reared to move away--detach themselves--in order to "begin their lives" is relatively new, an American ideal.

Today, generally speaking, young people are sheltered from dire health crises, and want no part of it when a crisis hit. Mentally, they are not equipped to handle it. As a result, when you need your kids the most, they are off in LaLaLand trying to...avoid the crises...because THEY CAN'T HANDLE IT.

If someone in the family dares to press them on their obligations (haha), it's quite possible there will be an explosive response that goes something like "I've got MY LIFE...MY CHILDREN.... I don't have enough time...."

Moral: Change the rearing practices. No one should grow up believing they have no responsibility to anyone but themselves.

In my case I had the choice to "warehouse" the loved one and give "that list" of excuses (I had a better list, trust me), or, do the right thing. As a God-fearing person, I know my excuses don't cut with God.

"God-fearing"? We've also become much more atheist and we teach our children to ACCEPT everything ...or be called "judgmental". Way back, I grew up in a judgmental home, and I think it has been one of finest GIFTS from my elders. It kept me out of trouble, made me tough on MYSELF, and put me there for a loved one (still kicking) who, otherwise,(definitely) could have died 2 years ago.

This Christmas, when you look around at your family, ask yourself WHO of them would spend the holiday WITHOUT YOU (if you get ill, and while you're in a nursing home) making merry like.....nuthin's going on? I think it will wipe the smile off of most of our faces.

These are thoughts. You can either act on the moral, or continue in the world of apathy until something big happens.

[Floridian]

ImTiredOf_It......I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts. Excellent points made, thank you for making them.

[ImTiredOf_It]

Just telling it as I see it.