Before now, I mean, growing up, I had no idea that there was a thing as a retirement home. As I advanced and read more books and saw movies, I learned of it. And those movies weren't homemade. They all were foreign. Around here, retirement homes aren't a thing. I'm certain that a large number of people have no idea what it is even.
Before my grandmother passed, she was the oldest woman in the family, in the compound and I believe, in the village as well. She was a hundred and seven years old when she passed.
I want to think that you're already picturing a frail, immobilized old woman, but that was far from it. She wasn't bedridden, not for one day. She prepared her baths, made food sometimes, she attended events that held in the community, she participated in meetings, she could walk up and down our flight of stairs(sometimes holding her stick but not often), her words were not slurred and she functioned with little to no care given. Of course, she wasn't let by herself but had people around, yet she would refuse certain forms of help. She even had an edatic memory so much that people came from around the community to inquire from her about certain histories, to inquire about the cultures of the community and to settle land disputes(or any kinds of dispute). She was held in regard
I have seen this apply in a lot of other African homes. When a person is old, most often, when he/she lives in towns or across countries, they would usually return home to live.
Sometimes, they go to live with their children or a relative. Other times, they stay in the village and are given someone who does their chores, assists them, and keep them company. But more than that, the community partakes in this work of caring for them. Maybe it is not done directly, but they do. They come around every now and then to say hello and to trade tales.
Also, these older persons get to participate in community activities. If you go back to your hometown and look around, you will find more older persons actively involved in the meetings and all of that. I used to see it all as stressful until I realized that it helped them stay active.
From observation, i have seen how staying put keeps them growing weak. I don't even know how that happens, but they just tend to get sickly. Many older persons would prefer not to be confined to a place. Staying active makes them feel better, plus we know that it serves as a form of exercise for their aching joints. Being in a nursing home might not give them the leeway to go on and about. Not to forget, too, that being around familiar faces does keep them merry.
Retirement homes are no bad idea, but in this society, it wouldn't be fully accepted. And I would absolutely understand if due to certain reasons especially some kind of ill health, a person would rather have his aged parent confined in the old and nursing peoples home. I will understand, but I don't think that I would want that.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!