Do we ignore our elders?

I love talking with older people and have many friends much older than me. I think what they have to say is fascinating. But I also think it depends on each individual case, because I also know some older people who are very stuck in their ways and equally not interested in what younger people have to offer.

by Tracie Louise

I actually have many elderly friends, most writers or would-be writers. I love talking to them as they have such a different perspective on life, and perspective I believe that comes with watching the world change as much as it has and simply through living longer than I have by a large margin. They are a wealth of knowledge.

by DamienR

I do think we forget them and often ignore them. It's sad, really. I try to engage my elderly relatives and neighbours, they have a lot to offer.

by Vee

I can't speak for society as a whole, but in our circle, we always listen to our elders, and include them in lots of conversation. Most of the time, however, it is less words of wisdom that they give out, but reminiscences about the past. Usually I am the one who ends up getting interrupted, cut off, or not heard.

by Bryony Harrison

Unfortunately many people do. I have worked in aged care and am very aware of the value of our elders. They have so much to share - if only you take the time to listen and allow them to contribute.

by Sandy Ludinski

If I had my time again I would focus on finding wise elderly people and investing time learning life lessons from them across a range of subjects.
Not only do we ignore them but we abuse and insult them. The new budget wants to force frail 70 year old people to compete for jobs that don’t exist. We allowed super fund managers to place their money in high risk high commission paying investments that caused these people to face the future with no money and now force them into the humiliating position of removing the pension that they were promised and relied upon for the future. They paid up to 48 percent income tax and 10 percent gst during their working lives now we stand idle while the Aust Government demands they find a job up to 70 years of age. They represent the highest rate of death from hypothermia because they have no money to pay the power bill.
We not only don’t listen to them we are abusing them.

by kstew

I do enjoy talking to my elders. Most of them are really sweet. But sometimes I'm saddened when I see them on the streets and wonder where their families are. Especially if they are suffering from a mental illness.

by dwatk

No, why would we?

by Finy