Ourselves, ourselves, only ourselves
(The truth, as disclosed by a group of old folks)A GENERAL BIT OF ADVICE
- Have your own abode. No matter what, do not lose it, until your death!
- If you have an old companion, keep each other good company.
- Watch your health while it is still good.
- Maintain a positive outlook and you will be happy.
- Now, our health is still good, our mind still clear.
- But on whom can we depend in our old age?
We will have to analyse in various stages.1st Stage:
- Just after retirement, between 60 to 70 yrs old, our health will still be comparatively good. So too our financial means.
- Eat moderately while we have the means. At times, wear what we fancy.
- Those who like it, have some fun.
- Do not be hard on yourself
- Our days are numbered, so, grasp the opportunity.
- Have some savings!
- Keep the house!
- Make arrangements for the days ahead or retreat.
- If the kids are well off, it is their business ...
- If the kids are filial, they have good traits ....
- We need neither decline financial help from our kids nor decline their respect.
- But we should remain independent and live our own life well.
2nd Stage:
- If no mishap and illness strike after we are 70, we will still be able to take care of ourselves. Not a major problem.
- However, we must realise we are really getting old gradually, our body and mind will give way.
- Our reflexes will slow down with time.
- We will have to eat slowly, to avoid choking.
- We will have to walk slowly, to avoid falls.
- We can no longer put on a front, we have to look after ourselves!
- Do not meddle anymore with this and that, or control the kids!
- Some even interfere with the third generation!!!
- We have intervened our entire life, It is time for us to be a little selfish!
- Take hold of ourselves. Life must come full circle.
- Help with the cleaning chores.
- Try to maintain our health for as long as possible.
- Give ourselves more opportunities to take control of our own life.
- We lead an easier life when we do not have to solicit help from others.
3rd Stage:
- Our health begins to fail. We have to request help from others. We have to be mentally prepared for it.
- The majority of us cannot escape this hurdle.
- We have to prepare ourselves, emotionally, to accept that in life, living and aging, sickness and death are milestones we have to encounter.
- This is the final stage in life.
- Nothing to fear!
- Be prepared for it in advance and we will not be too depressed.
- Either check into a private nursing home or an old folks home.
- Depending on affordability, of course.
- There must be a way out.
- The idea is not to add to the kids'; burden, emotionally, increase their chores and their financial commitments.
- Try our best to overcome -
- What hardship has our generation not endured?
- What disasters have we not experienced?
- Trust us to take life';s last lap in our stride.
4th Stage:
- Our mind is still clear, but we are terminally ill, when our quality of life has deteriorated drastically.
- We must be courageous enough to face death!
- Insist that the family not try to prolong our life: Do not incur unnecessary expenditure.
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