Many countries in Asia share the same tradition of taking care of elderly family members, nursing them through old age, and be by their side until they pass away. But this valuable tradition is gradually disappearing as the population of the elders has rapidly increased.
Shutterstock: Bo1982
In South Korea, there are more than one third of Korean seniors who live alone. Because of the economic downturn, many of them are forced to live below poverty levels, they sometimes have to line up longer than six hours to get some free food from churches. Japan, as well, is now facing similar problems as it is becoming a country of elderly because the population ratio of elderly to youth will be 4:1 in the near future. The waiting list for nursing homes or retirement homes are now twice the capacity.
I believe that the statistics of elderly abandonment will continue to rise if there is still no additional assistance from the government. Taking care of your parents is an important tradition which has been carried on for a long time, and as an Asian, I truly wish to see it being carried on because it is a mean of paying back for your childhood care to your parents.
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