A few years back I believe taken for Chinese New year from my mom's album on Facebook. Can you spot me? As kids grow up, most parents take care of them. It's technically their responsibility since they "made" the kid. When parents get old, it is expected from most cultures for the children to take care of their parents provided the parents are unable to take care of themselves. Is it truly their responsibility to take care of their aging parent? I will share my opinion on this expectation.
Coming from a Chinese background, there is a huge focus on family and the elderly. Whenever we have family gatherings, it's normal to greet the elders. From my mom's side, most of the family will listen to our grandpa. He is quite stubborn and behind the times. He does try to pass his wisdom always to us grandchildren which sometimes is questionable but we understand that his intention is good. At the moment, my grandparents are living with my uncles and cousins. My whole family (children and grandchildren) takes care of my grandma and grandpa. We would help them walk on the road by giving our hand as support, take them to the doctor etc.
So what do I think of this. I think as a child or grandchild, we should be there to take care of our aging parents or grandparents. For me, they took great care of me and I should return the favor when they are getting old. I've mentioned in many of my previous posts how my mom did a great job taking care of my brother and I in a foreign country by herself. My dad came a bit later into helping me in life. I still think he was slightly irresponsible by not following my mom to the states but the past is the past. He's been helping me a lot here in Malaysia. My grandma spoiled me a lot too when I was younger. I still think I'm lowkey her favorite grandchild. As for my grandpa, I remember him taking me to eat a lot of nice food and giving me some big hongbaos (red packets) for Chinese New Year.
Fortunately for me, I believe they don't need my financial support because they worked hard in their life and saved up money if I'm not mistaken. I guess I could see some people argue about having the financial burden of taking care. I think even if my parents/grandparents needed the financial support in the future I would try my best even though it could be tough on me. Luckily, I have siblings and cousins that can help out so I wouldn't be alone. They do deserve to be taken care of though. I would rather not have them go to a senior center but after recently touring one called Sunway Sanctuary, it doesn't seem that bad to go to a senior center. They take great care of the elders. I was also shocked to find out that the whole staff was trained in health procedures to be able to respond to anything.
As for what I'm doing in preparation of my old age, I haven't thought that far ahead. At the moment, I'm just trying to make as much money as I can so I can use the money to work for me. I would do my best to have a decent financial so if I had children they wouldn't need to worry about that. I would also have a will and set up all the payments for a funeral in advance if I had one. Recently, my dad told me that he already paid for his body to be burned to ashes for him and my stepmom. This makes me think it's important to try to settle the payments for my death too when I get older.
In conclusion, as children & grandchildren, I believe we should do what we can to support our parents and grandparents as they are aging. It doesn't have to only be financial but can be as simple as spending time with them and taking care of them.