The decline in the human values in the society has also seen a disturbing trend where we are increasingly giving our elders including our parents the bush off when it comes to respecting them and taking care.

The elders are supposed to guide us because of their life experience and knowledge. But unfortunately we are giving cold shoulders to their valued position in the society, which is disturbing and unfortunate.

Instead of benefitting from their experiences and advices, we consider them as worthless and a liability. Very rarely are their pearls of wisdom and suggestions taken into consideration. They are sidelined and their opinions are considered as ‘outdated.’ It is often thought that they lack a concept of time and hence are not taken seriously. The elderly/senior citizens do not expect materialistic things. They want their near and dear ones to treat them with respect, relate with them and spend some quality time in their company. In a society where everything new and young is valued and appreciated, is there a place for the elderly? If not, we should attempt to create it for them. If we listen to them and pay heed to their advice, the rewards are many.

Close bonding with them gives us a deeper understanding about life. They are a link to our past, they are who we will be one day — the link to our future. Spending time with them is like a glimpse of the past and future. With a little patience and a caring attitude their twilight years can be worth our time.