This year’s celebration of the Grandparents is the fourth since the Holy Father Pope Francis instituted a date to honour them and celebrate them. We still need to do more to make this celebration better known and celebrated. 

Grandparents obviously are our anchor into human history. Without them, we would not be here and because of them, we are who we are as human being. Hence, they deserve our appreciation.

The celebration of a day of the Grandparents and the elderly is not only to honour the elderly but also an invitation to recognize their unique contributions and to see ourselves in their shoes and prepare for the future.

As we remember and celebrate the elderly, we are privileged to catch a glimpse of the life they lived, the sacrifices they bore for themselves and their offsprings.

They were the channel of our existence and for this we owe them our gratitude. They are also our teachers; this we must acknowledge with sincerity and return to them often to draw from the fountain of their wisdom. 

The elderly have seen and weathered the storm of life, at least those who have achieved integrity of life, they are thus our sure support for the present and credible pointer to a desirable future. 

The elderly are the depository of our history because they have seen, heard and experienced a lot and are thus well positioned to teach us.

No wonder, wise elders are always sought after to help solve crises and counsel people.

However, in an era of throw-away culture, everything and anything is disposable. Once a thing no longer serve some basic needs or purposes, they are due to be junked.

Once something or people become a drain on the system, the next course of action is to see how they can be replaced. This is where the elderly find themselves today. Now that their strength has waned, may be their sight has diminished and their knees wobble sometimes, many people, especially the younger generation do not see them as assets to be treasured but as burdens to be avoided.

This concern is deeply echoed in the theme of this year’s celebration which says, “Do not cast me off in my old age.” (Ps.71:9).

The elderly are our parents and grandparents, they are members of our families and as such, they deserve our compassion and support in their old age. Dealing with the elderly requires a lot of patience and understanding and many today do not have this.

Yet, if we treat the elderly poorly, can we expect to be treated better when our own time comes? 

Consequently, the proper formation of children must include respect for elders and not just one’s parents. Such respect for elders requires that we assist them when our help is needed.

The elderly need more than food and money, they need love and companionship, they need understanding and patient forbearance. These are usually not taught but gained through patient tolerance and proper understanding of the conditions of growing old.

With debilitating effects of growing old, some elderly need help with basic daily routines such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. This can be provided by the family and young ones should be trained to see this as a labour of love to be done cheerfully and generously.

Some need help with household chores such as cleaning, laundry and market runs. It is the obligation of family members and society at large to ensure that the elderly do not lack and when they cannot do things for themselves, to ensure that others are available to help. 

The most difficult of the needs of the elderly to provide is emotional support. This often includes spending time with them just listening or talking to them.

Thus, it is necessary that when family engagements are being planned we include the elderly, for instance taking them along for family gatherings and giving them opportunities to be seen and heard.

Hence, caring for the elderly must include promotion of their dignity, they must not lose their sense of self-worth. We must also do everything possible to ensure their safety at all times.

Hence care must be taken to ensure that their living arrangements are such that guarantee their physical safety and ability to move around. 

Children of the elderly and other family members should endeavour to communicate with the elderly regularly. Those who have mastered social media are at an advantage here, yet social media should not replace human interaction with the elderly.

Since the elderly recognize and appreciate who they have become, especially when they see their children succeeding in life, it is important that those with elderly people take good care of themselves and spare the elder the burden of bad and negative news.

As Goodnews cheers the heart, so also will bad news weary the soul, and this has a negative effect on the elderly. They should be spared such stress. 

There is also a religious dimension to taking care of the elderly. They should be prayed for and with as often as possible. Efforts should be made to take them to Church if they are unable to transport themselves.

Loved ones should also join them at prayers as they request the elderly to pray for them. Remember, they have more time to talk to God.