It is often questioned who is responsible for the well-being of elderly people. Some believe that their family members should be the caregivers while others think it should be the government’s duty to look after them. Personally, I believe both sides have a part in ensuring the welfare of the senior members of the society and this essay will explain why.
First and foremost, family has always been seen as the primary caregivers to the elderly members. As family members understand each other more than anyone else, other members can cater their elder’s needs and create a safe and familiar environment for the seniors. For instance, families can help elderly people avoid the fear of isolation by keeping them engaged in social or religious activities whereas the crave for human interactions can not always be satisfied in nursing homes. Moreover, families are morally obliged to ensure the overall well-being of their elderly relatives, in return for the support they have been given in the past. This is often deeply rooted in the cultural norms and values in many countries such as Japan or China as they emphasize the importance of family bonds, mutual support and respect for the elders.
However, proponents of government responsibility argue that some families, especially those that are poor, have more urgent matters to worry about and would not have the time and money to take care of the elderly relatives. As society grows and evolves, the government should be more active in ensuring the welfare of the senior citizens. Governments can improve their welfare state through providing free access to medical care, financial support and insurance, which will benefit the elderly members of the community. Moreover, it is even more important to support older people who have contributions to the country such as veterans of wars or those who worked for the government itself. In exchange for their service for the country, the government can provide privilege or compensation for them. Not only will this ensure the overall well-being of the seniors but also help alleviate the financial burden of families that are not able to support their loved ones.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that families play a pivotal role in providing support for the elderly members as a result of cultural norms and values. However, this may prove to be a stress to underprivileged families and governments should also be responsible in this matter by providing safety nets to help relieve the burden and better ensure the overall well-being of the elders.