One day it will be you

Twice this week I have watched an elderly individual fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife but the shop assistant simply said it’s in isle ‘6’. He struggled to navigate the supermarket traffic, going the wrong way in search of the item. As I watched him, I decided to leave my cart full of groceries to take him where he needed to go.

Today, I watched an elderly man who had obviously fallen and left with a huge scrape and blood on his leg, struggle in the heat. He slowly walked past people in the cafe, while he made his way to his car. Not one person stopped, or looked, or acknowledged him. Seeing this behavior, I took him to his car and checked to see if he was ok. He told me he had a fall and he wasn’t sure how the air conditioner worked in his car, so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him, until his air conditioner kicked on and listened to him talk about his old frail body he is in, that fails him now, every single day.

When you see an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket, or struggling to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule to ask them if they need a hand. Think about your parents or grandparents and how upsetting it would be if someone ignored or didn’t stop to help them. More importantly, put yourself in their place.

Remember, once upon a time, they were you. They were busy. They had work. They had children. They were able.

Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. It is my wish people take the time to acknowledged our elderly and their admirable existence. Remember, not too far in the future, this will be you.

--Contributed by Adele Barbaro