Elderly Seniors Need Love Too

Many elderly seniors live alone during the final years of their life. Their spouses have died and their grown children live far away, Those who live nearby have their own lives to live or so they say. They have little time to spend with their senior parent.

Always remember that elderly seniors need love too.

One at a time their long term friends die. New friendships for seniors are not the same as the friends they grew up with. Those who live in a Retirement Village are kept busy with day to day activities. Friendships are easy to make in places like this. However, not all seniors have the money or the ability to move into Adult Communities. In fact, a senior might live alone and be completely ignored by the children they had lovingly raised.

This fact might seem to be unbelievable. However, for many of today's elderly seniors it is true. Actually, it could fit into the category of 'senior neglect', but few want to hear about it. Family members seem to forget that seniors need love too.

I have met many lonely elderly seniors in the local Senior Center. They spend most of their day at the local center. Their lunch is sent from Meals on Wheels and they enjoy dining with other single seniors. For most, this could be the only hot home-cooked meal they eat that day.

Child neglect is highly publicized. Senior neglect is kept hidden. Few realize how lonely an aged senior can be and others do not seem to care. Elderly seniors need love too. They rarely complain until they get inside of their homes. Then they quietly breakdown and cry. it is sad, but true. Seniors need love too.

Many years ago I saw an elderly man sitting on a chair in front of the air conditioned entry to Publix every day. It was impossible not to notice him. Shoppers walked right past him. Some smiled and others stopped to talk to him. One day I asked him why he sat here every day. Sadly, he told me that his wife recently died, and he could not stay alone in a house filled with memories. Therefore, he sat inside of Publix where he could be among people. It is a fact that seniors need love too. A hug once or twice a day would do.

I do not know if he had any children. I did not ask, and he never told me. This was too personal a question to ask. However, it was obvious that he was lonely.

Things were different when I was growing up. My grandmother was old. She immigrated from the 'old country' and I loved her dearly. At times she was difficult to live with. She lived with my aunt, uncle and my cousin. Family members took care of each other those days. Regardless of how difficult my grandmother was at times, she was always loved, respected and never was rejected regardless of what she said or did. She never had to ask for love, her family always gave it to her and they showed it. After all, elderly seniors need love too.

She died in the house surrounded by family. Just thinking about her make my eyes water. I can never forget her no matter how long ago she died surrounded by all of her ten children and her grandchildren. She received unconditional love and respect, something that seems to be lacking towards elderly seniors in this generation. Children today do not seem to remember that elderly seniors need love too.

The man who sat in front of Publix eventually met an older woman. She went shopping often. She was a widow and they began talking and eventually got married. He sold his house, they bought a beautiful condo and began a new life together. They knew that elderly seniors need love too.

I often see them when I do my shopping in Publix. He is more stooped over than he was, and she might be having medical problems now. I see him shopping alone.

Companionship is extremely important for elderly seniors who live alone. The following saying still stands, "parents are never to busy to raise all of their children, but children have no time to take care of their parents". They fail to realize that their elderly senior parents need love too.

The next time you see an elderly senior shopping or sitting alone, smile and say hello to them. If they strike up a conversation with you listen. You might be the only person that they talk to all day.