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96. Taking Action to Care for the Elderly
2013-09-06
In the United States, more and more families have turned to assisted living centers to care for their aging parents. But there may be an even better idea -- one that provides a safe environment for older adults while keeping them close to loved ones.
In a quiet neighborhood near Washington, DC, two homes sit within several meters of each other. The larger house belongs to Soc Page and her family. Behind it is a small home where her mother, Viola Baez, lives. These structures are built to meet the medical and safety needs of an older person.
Soc Page says, "She absolutely refuses to even consider a nursing home. She`s here, but she has her own space. It`s set up for her, it`s safe for her and we are actually her primary caretakers."
Like the United States, China is also dealing with the issue of caring for its aging population.
The country`s one child policy has left a shortage of children to care for the growing elderly population.
This has become an even bigger problem as more and more young people are leaving their parents behind as they move to cities for better jobs.
Now a new law requires that adult children visit their aging parents regularly. It does not say how often these visits must take place, but it warns that failure to visit often enough could result in court action.
