24/06/2025
Twice this week, I have watched an elderly individual fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife, but the shop assistant simply said it’s in ‘6’. But he struggled to navigate the supermarket, and as I watched him go in the wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to go. Today, I watched an elderly man struggle in the heat. He had had a fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He walked past people in the cafe while he slowly made his way to his car. Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked if he was okay. He told me he had a fall and wasn’t sure how the air conditioner worked in his car, so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him until his air conditioner kicked in and heard him talk about the frail old body that he is in, which fails him now every single day.
When you see an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket, or struggling to get to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grandparents and your parents and how pi**ed you would be if someone didn’t stop to help them. But more importantly, think of them as you.
Once upon a time, they were you. They were busy; they had work; they had children; they were able... Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day, it will be you, and it will be us. I wish more people gave a sh*t about them and acknowledged them for their admirable existence and geez I hope someday, not that far away, someone does it for me. 🙏
Credit: Adele Barbaro
