Pandemic Insights

​I have never heard anyone strive to end their lives in a care facility but have not really thought it through. The report that came out of Ontario late May regarding the living conditions in some longterm care facilities brought home the ugly truth. Susan Braedley hit the nail on the proverbial head with her article May 26, 2020 which began with the statement, “All it took was mass death”. She asserts that at least part of the reason why persons in care are treated deplorably is that we are ageist:
Let’s be honest…As a society, we tend to devalue and denigrate any adult who is unable to look after themselves, develops disabilities or cannot “keep up” with the onslaught of rapid social change. We do our utmost to stay “youthful”, while also denying that most of us will experience some frailty before we die.
This from an academic doing research on how to improve facility life…
Agiesm is like any unconscious bias, it starts from within. My tiny soapbox is simple. It is natural to be drawn to the gorgeousness of youth but appreciation for the beauty/aesthetic in ageing must be learned. If we valued this beauty, would we ignore it or allow it to perish in inhumane conditions?