The saying 'Let's grow old together' is often depicted in movies and books as the epitome of happiness and love between a man and a woman. But what is the reality?
Switzerland was judged as the best place in the world to grow old, just ahead of Norway, Sweden and Germany. The UK entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time just behind the United States.
A professor of the Centre for Research on Ageing at Southampton University, who led the development of the Index, said it is vital to compare not just people's pension income and health but also the age friendly environments in which they live. However, a number of countries still lack critical statistics of older people which should be included in a future report.
The annual Global AgeWatch Index, compiled by an alliance of charities using international data, singled out studies consistently showing that one in 10 older people in the UK describe themselves as being lonely often or all of the time. Source: The Telegraph.
My father, who travelled to China when it opened its borders to foreign visitors in the 80s, brought back an impression of the ideal scenario for ageing people. Every adult had a job—some elderly people looked after children, others swept the streets. And, of course, parents lived with their family.
Sadly, that doesn't happen in most households in the western society. Our parents are put into homes for the elderly as soon as they become a burden. And there they sit, lonely and abandoned.
Switzerland was judged as the best place in the world to grow old, just ahead of Norway, Sweden and Germany. The UK entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time just behind the United States.
A professor of the Centre for Research on Ageing at Southampton University, who led the development of the Index, said it is vital to compare not just people's pension income and health but also the age friendly environments in which they live. However, a number of countries still lack critical statistics of older people which should be included in a future report.
The annual Global AgeWatch Index, compiled by an alliance of charities using international data, singled out studies consistently showing that one in 10 older people in the UK describe themselves as being lonely often or all of the time. Source: The Telegraph.
My father, who travelled to China when it opened its borders to foreign visitors in the 80s, brought back an impression of the ideal scenario for ageing people. Every adult had a job—some elderly people looked after children, others swept the streets. And, of course, parents lived with their family.
Sadly, that doesn't happen in most households in the western society. Our parents are put into homes for the elderly as soon as they become a burden. And there they sit, lonely and abandoned.
Statue - en.wikipedia.org The genius in the lyrics of the song Eleanor Rigby shows loneliness and depression representing a departure from the Beatle’s early pop love songs. Here is an excerpt:
Beatles – Eleanor Rigby Lyrics
Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people
~
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
In the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face
That she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for
~
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong? ...
Two theories about her face in a jar by the door are:
1) She doesn't express emotion because she never sees anyone.
2) She only puts on her make-up when she leaves the house.
In the song, the pastor mends his socks although no-one will see them.
And what of me? Born in Australia 73 years ago, I live with my husband in England. Our remaining children are scattered around the world. At least we have each other. We've grown old together. ...
What is your situation?
Beatles – Eleanor Rigby Lyrics
Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people
~
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
In the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face
That she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for
~
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong? ...
Two theories about her face in a jar by the door are:
1) She doesn't express emotion because she never sees anyone.
2) She only puts on her make-up when she leaves the house.
In the song, the pastor mends his socks although no-one will see them.
And what of me? Born in Australia 73 years ago, I live with my husband in England. Our remaining children are scattered around the world. At least we have each other. We've grown old together. ...
What is your situation?
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