The Care of Old People (Essay by KM)

My grandmother on my mother’s side is in a rest house. My grandmother on my father’s side is in her house alone. Although the method is different, they are both receiving care. They are not bedridden and do not have dementia. Twice a year, when I go to my grandmothers’ houses to see them, they always greet me warmly. Their care has continued for several years. Their care is a part of life for my family. But it is, in fact, a burden.

My grandmother on my mother’s side has been in the rest house for four years. There are several reasons to enter the rest house. The biggest reason is her daily meals. She also likes cooking and sewing. She is bowed. Furthermore, since her muscles have also declined, she moves slowly. Therefore, it takes time for her to do anything and she will get mentally tired. My aunt lives near my grandmother’s house and visits the house some days in a week. In fact, my aunt has her own lifestyle, so it is not easy to keep visiting and taking care of grandmother. After entering the rest house, her life rhythm was improved. She wakes up in the morning and has three regular meals a day. There are some classes like flower arrangement, seasonal events, Mochi rice-cake pounding, Christmas Party, and so on. She makes some friends.

The bad point of rest house is where it is located. Sometimes my mother and aunt visit the house, but the rest house is located far from any station. A car or taxi is necessary. Because the location is bad, family members may not visit the rest house often. There is a possibility that a family would leave an old person there and neglect them.

My grandmother on my father’s side lives alone in her house since last year when my grandfather passed away. When my grandfather was living, they had a care helper to shop and clean the house for them. Since my grandmother had chronic heart disease and cooking became impossible, they took meal delivery every dinner. Handrails were attached throughout the house. An emergency button was put in to call an ambulance anytime.

An old person living alone is in danger. It is easy to be made a target of thief and fraud. The family always worries about old relatives who live alone. If an emergency happens, there is nobody else in their house. Help may come too late.

The common issue of caring for both grandmothers is the high cost. Although care insurance was established in 2000, it is difficult for all people to receive such service. The situation of care is important. But the relation between the people who are cared for and the people who care for them is more important. Caring for the elderly is a very hard job mentallty and physically. Cooperation of the local areas, families, and the government is important.