Madam, I agree that the programme, From Teenage to Old Age is excellent. The enjoyment, for example, of the gentleman on seeing the sea again was so moving. There have been other excellent programmes showing people of different religious faiths looking after the ageing members of their families.
What a shame that the news this week also revealed the statistics of families looking after their elderly to be so poor amongst certain groups in this country. My disappointment starts when 'children' have houses that are large enough to give their active older parents a granny flat or bed sit and include them in their activities and holidays but don't want them. Some actually say this to outsiders.
One can hear the older and the younger generations within the family say they prefer their independence - but is this only to cover over difficulties in the past? Without the encouragement and support from parents where would these 'youngsters' be today? Is it greed, selfishness and inability to put oneself in other peoples' shoes that causes this indifference.
Obviously people without children are going to feel isolated unless more is done to include them in 'extended' activities in the community.
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