Older Adults
The Problem
Rights do not change as we age, but sadly what changes are older individuals being considered inherently less valuable to society. At the same time, with increasing age, we face increasing barriers to participation, become more dependent on others, and lose some or all of our autonomy.
When elderly people live in poverty, without the basic necessities of life and without family support, their risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation increases.
*Today, 962 million people are over 60. [United Nations]
*62% of people over 60 live in developing countries; by 2050 this number will have risen to 80%. [World Bank]
*Nearly two-thirds of the 44.4 million people with dementia live in low and middle-income countries. [Alzheimer’s Disease International]
QUESTION.
Who will take care of all these people?
Solution
We need to teach the younger generation the circle of life – your parents took care of you, and there comes a time when you need to care for them.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
God intends for us to continue to show respect and honor for our parents throughout our lives. Honoring our parents doesn’t cease when we become adults. It is a lifetime commitment. We should respect their wisdom, consult with them, and care for them when needed.
Children need to be taught to honor and respect their elders. Children can benefit from the wisdom of the elderly and better understand and appreciate their heritage and culture.
We partner 14 orphaned children with 14 orphaned older adults and bring them together in an intergenerational home. The adults have their space where caregivers are there to assist with their daily living activities. We provide all the services you will find in an assisted living facility in the United States.
We work with families in the community who are struggling to care for their aging parent(s). We provide education to the caregivers, food for the family, medication, and assistive devices. We know that through education to the younger generation, we reduce elder abuse, neglect and abondoment. Hands 4Life provides opportunities for the seniors to become emotionally connected with others, achieve dreams, give back to their communities, and have a way to share their talents, gifts, and wisdom with the younger generation, to bring about change inspired by experience and wisdom.
