A normal phase of our life…. Getting wrinkly..

Aging is a normal physiologic phase everyone has to phase.
With the advent of technology, life expectancy has increased.
But I guess this is true only to most developed countries where they can afford to have the advanced technology in every medical facility. But it’s sad to say that the less developed country is still wishing for such privileges.

But ironically, I realized that elderly in most of the developing countries are more esteemed and respected. We often seek the advice of our elders for we know they had learnt so much from life, we can not undermine the wisdom from their experience. We acknowledge that they have so much to share, teach and impart to us. Because of this much respect and esteem, young people offers their seats in the bus whenever an elderly comes.Can still see some youngsters offer to help the elderly cross the streets.

I seldom see that in one western country I had recently been to. I even witnessed a younger man shouting rudely towards an old man. I didn’t know exactly the reason behind his behavior but even then, I was stunned and honestly was disgusted.

I have the impression that younger generations in that country which I prefer not to name have this strong sense of equality. Equality that female and male is equal so does young and adult/elderly. Could that be the reason why the elderly are out on the street on their own and even standing in the train?

We just celebrated my grandmother’s 98th birthday.
We are joyful and celebrate that gift of life.
But with her long life span comes many challenges as well.
It is a fact that several medical conditions are common in elderly.

My grandmother, though not suffering from dementia, she is weak and fragile.She can not stand or sit longer enough because she tires easily. She’d prefer lying down instead.

Since we do have poor medical healthcare system in my country, we are struggling and trying our best to provide her the much needed medical care, laboratory checks, medicine and vitamins. Despite being "healthy or no medical disease", she is still frail and needs our care. We have to feed her, give her sponge bath and dress her since she can not do it herself.

This made me wonder, would I prefer to reach advance age like hers?

Would I rather have a fuller life and die much younger than her?

Should I fear getting old or welcome it gracefully?

I also wonder what are the challenges of the elderly people in other part of the world.

Maybe you can share your story or view on being old in your beautiful part of the universe...

That would very much appreciated.