How can we explain the obligation to take care of our elders?
The first theory is the reciprocity norm, which is basically the social norm that if someone helps us or gives us something, we are expected to return the favor. As children, older people have taken care of us. For me, my parents have obviously raised me by providing a home, food, and opportunities. However, they have also received help from their parents, or my grandparents. From helping out when I was a baby to watching over me when I was a child when my parents were working, my grandparents have also played a big role in my upbringing. Therefore, as they grow older, the obligation to take care of them not only falls on my parents, but also myself. However, a criticism of this is that it’s a parent’s moral responsibility to take care of their children, so there isn’t necessarily a debt that needs to be repaid on the child’s behalf. Another theory is that children take care of their older parents because of the relationship between them, not because of owing something. Ideally, the relationship between parent and child is one of friendship. In this type of relationship, both sides look out for each other out of kindness, so the child takes care of their parents because they care for their wellbeing. Of course, this model doesn’t work when the relationship between parent and child is strained in some way, and there are no feelings of friendship. The last theory I want to explore is the special relationship between parent and child. Parents don’t get to choose what child they get to be parents of, and children don’t get to choose who they get born to. This creates a special bond because in other relationships we can choose who we want to be with, like our friends. Therefore, the love between parent and child is unconditional and unchosen. This relationship is also the stem to other familial relationships, like with grandparents, siblings, cousins, so it can therefore be seen as beneficial. To continue this relationship through age, it’s often on the child to keep in contact with their parents or check in on how they’re doing. Obviously, the individual situations of the child-parent relationship are different. If parents adopted their child, isn’t this technically choosing a child, which contradicts the third theory? If a child’s parents pass away when they are young, and they go live with someone else, do these new people assume the same role and relationship with the child as their parents did? Abusive or neglectful parents and poor living conditions can also alter the child-parent relationship. Therefore, it’s important to consider the unique circumstances surrounding this relationship because it’s more likely not the ideal model.
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In light of the new decade, I decided to look into some creative innovations to improve seniors’ well-being that we have seen in the previous decade.
Liftware: 2012 Liftware specializes in spoons and forks that are designed to help people with hand tremors or limited mobility, like with Parkinson’s disease. Sensors in the utensils work actively to counteract tremors. The type of utensils for limited mobility has a flexible handle and always keeps the utensil level. By being able to feed themselves, seniors and others retain dignity, confidence, and independence. Reminder Rosie: 2014 Reminder Rosie is a talking clock that reminds seniors of tasks, like taking medicine or going to meals. It can also simply give a caring message from a loved one. What makes this reminder system special is that the reminders are spoken in the senior’s loved ones voices, which improves compliance with the task. Embodied Labs: 2016 Embodied Labs uses VR to simulate situations and problems that caregivers and seniors may face. It can help the caregiver gain perspective on a certain disease or impairment and improve communication with the patient. Rendever: 2016 Rendever also uses VR, but this time, for seniors. Seniors can experience a variety of different simulations, including customizable memory lanes, interactive games, and immersive videos of swimming with dolphins, riding in a hot air balloon, and more! They can also participate in group experiences, fostering a sense of connection and friendship in their community. Ageless Innovations: 2018 Ageless Innovations focuses on the power of play to help seniors avoid loneliness and isolation. The toy cats and dogs built-in sensors that respond to touch, realistic fur, and responsive sounds (purring and barking). Basically, the robotic pets act like live pets, just without the mess of having to clean up after them or take them to the vet! It’s crazy to think back on how much technological progress the world has made. Even some of the inventions we have today seem like they’re straight out of a sci-fi movie. It’s even harder to imagine what is in store for the future… but I can’t wait to find out |
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