Certain topics and decisions aren’t up for discussion in some parts of the world. For me the first time I got to know about retirement homes was I think about 10 years ago. Then I never understood what it stood for fully. The thing is, I always saw it in movies but I thought it was a place where they send old sick people to be taken care of. So in my head, when those people who needed special care felt better then they’ll be sent back home.
It dawned on me 10 years ago that outside of Africa they actually take those homes pretty seriously. It turns out some families do it cause they don’t have time to take care of their old folks so instead they’ll prefer taking them to a retirement home where they can be taken care of.
I can’t sit here and criticise it. I say I can’t and won’t criticise it cause it is something which is very normal in the states. Down here in Africa I’ve never heard or come across a retirement home. Part of why this is not the case is because we as kids have grown up to see our grandparents in their own homes or with their kids being taken care of. So this has become a culture where the old are always at their homes. In the case of in the states it’s a norm where kids see this as an opportunity for their parents to be taken care of properly since they can’t do it.
One other reason why I think people do it outside is because it’s something that happens on a regular.
Well, I think in Africa it doesn’t really matter if you have the finances or what ever to take care of them. since they are your family you can’t neglect them. I always Center my argument around how we have been brought up. Our upbringing contributes to 30 if not 40% of how we make decisions and also how we choose to lead our lives.
For me, I’ve been brought up in a nuclear family where I value just it being me and my family. Even if future I’ll value it being me and just my wife and kids. But at times you plan and circumstances too come. For me, I won’t ever take my parents to a retirement home when I can take care of them. If finances are my problem I’ll add them to the problem. Retirement homes are not a thing of the African people so for us it’s kinda weird to even have such a thought in our minds.
But as I said I don’t have a problem with people who do it. It’s a norm elsewhere and it’ll also take an open minded person who has grown up in Africa ti be convinced about this.
What do you think about this situation? Will you ever consider taking your parents to a retirement home? For Africans it’s a different feeling but as an African will you ever consider this option of it was available to you?