Kyaw Thet Khaing (University of Medicine) - Caring for elderly parents

It is generally believed that people take on the responsibility of caring for an elderly and infirm parent without much thought. You are the one who is responsible for your upbringing and maintenance, and your parent, whom you love and cherish, needs your help. Therefore, you have no other choice but to take responsibility for your parent. Such a simple decision is rarely possible in real life. When you are thinking about the future, things that you are not aware of influence your thoughts and ideas.

When you make a decision to care for your parents, you often consider your own circumstances. You often consider your personality, relationships, work, family, home, and your desires, as well as your parents’ past relationships, memories, and problems from living together. This chapter will discuss the broader circumstances that may be influencing your decisions in ways that you may not be aware of.

We often feel that we make our choices freely, without external influences. In fact, the society we live in shapes our ideas and shapes our experiences. This limits your choices. Your choices may not be the same as those of someone 20 years ago. Similarly, the decisions of someone in your position 20 years ago may not be the same as yours. Therefore, it can be helpful to discuss the impact of changes in your community and family life on your situation.

Changing society

Increasing human lifespan

The significant increase in the number of elderly people in Britain during the 20th century does not require any research. At the beginning of the 20th century, only 6% of the population were of pensionable age, but by the late 1990s the number of elderly people had risen to 10% of the population. A boy born in 1905 could expect to live to be 48 years old, and a girl to be 52. By 1990, life expectancy had risen to 72-3 years for boys and 782 years for girls.

From a care perspective, the number of people aged 90 and over is increasing. Many of them live in conditions where they cannot function. Many elderly people live alone, while others rely on the support of others for their daily survival. This increase in human life expectancy is a welcome development. We ourselves will live longer and will continue to have relationships with our parents well into our old age. Our children will also be able to receive the loving care of their grandparents. Thus, family life will continue for 4-5 generations.

The increase in human life expectancy also means that our responsibilities increase. When our children grow up and start their own families, we think that our responsibilities are over and we can live independently. At that time, our parents often need help. Nowadays, many people live well into their 70s, so it is not uncommon for you to be responsible for caring for them for years. Some people care for both parents at the same time or one after the other. They also have responsibilities to their children, grandchildren, uncles, spouses, and friends.

The decline in strength due to aging is not a sudden event, but a gradual one. While medical science can effectively treat acute illnesses with antibiotics, it cannot cure Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The effects of these types of diseases often appear gradually over years. As the condition of the sufferer gradually deteriorates, the caregiver will also become weaker. As the number of elderly people increases, the number of forms of dementia, which affects one in five of them, is also increasing. As the human lifespan increases, you are more likely to find yourself in a situation where you need to care for your elderly parents. This responsibility may last for years.

Changing social security policies

It is well known that families, relatives and friends are the main providers of the needs of the elderly. The social security benefits provided by the government are only a small part of the total. However, the role of well-organized organizations can have a significant impact on the care you provide to your parents. In particular, pension schemes that provide support for caregivers can benefit families in their daily lives. When you are thinking about how to best care for your parents, you should consider the availability of these services.

Aged care policy influences your choices. One of the most popular policies currently is to provide care for your elderly parents in their own homes, rather than sending them to a nursing home or other place of residence. This type of care is called community care. The concept of community care reflects the desire of older people to leave their homes and not go to a nursing home. In 1990, the policy of community care was introduced as the National Health Service and Community Care Act.

The main purpose of the law is to end the practice of forcing elderly people who cannot afford to live alone to go to nursing homes. Although the law is supposed to work, the new system of family care is not easy to fund. The cost of caring for the elderly in their own homes is very high. Often, township officials are not able to provide sufficient funds. Therefore, there have been responses by charging for services that were previously unpaid.

As the needs of older adults increase, the resources available to provide services in the community need to be adequate. Without them, caregivers will face financial hardship. | Social service agencies with limited resources will be forced to rely on other services.

Priority is often given to older people who do not receive support. Priority is not given to older people who have caregivers.

In 1995, a bill was introduced in Parliament to recognize and provide services to people who care for the elderly. All MPs supported the bill. The bill was a first step in recognizing the role of caregivers and their needs.

When deciding to care for your parents, you should also be aware that government welfare funds do not prioritise support for older people with carers. Sometimes, family care policies can feel like they are forcing you to care for your parents at home against your wishes and abilities. However, you may be pleased with the recent movement for carers. The Carers National Association, which is at the forefront of supporting carers, has made the needs of carers more widely known. Social and political conditions are constantly changing, and these changes are having an impact on your caregiving.