WHYdoesnt people respect or care for the elderly people anymore?

I wish I knew the answer to that question myself. I guess some people don't have the time or patience to show them compassionate & caring ways. It's sad because they're going to be old someday themselves.

We do take care of our elderly.Times have changed and so much more is available. Instead of them living with family there are more options nowdays.My mother-in-law is with us now because her assisted living complex caught fire.The problem is we both work and she can not really be alone.She will not fix herself a meal and maybe takes a bath once a week. I do not have the energy to care for her. Her daughter lives less than 5 hours away and see's her maybe once a year.We havent heard from the other daughter in 3 years.I was treated like crap most of the early years of our marriage by my mother-in-law but I am doing what is right.Can't say the same for her daughter byt she was never the kind of person who could make a decision without her husbands approval.You get the picture. All I say is thank God for the options available,We have to work and That is the way it is. I don't feel we are shirking our duties toward the elderly in our family.

I'm not sure why. Some people do treat the elderly with respect but too many people don't treat anyone with respect. Perhaps some people think acting that way makes them better than other people.

Diane is so right about this. I do help take care of my parents and have been doing so in the last 3 years. Their health went down the hill after the death of my only brother. Shortly after his death I moved back home to help them out when and how ever I can. I could care less about what money IF any that my parents have. I am not in this for the money, I am doing out of love for them and that is it. They took care of me for 18+ years and this is the least that I can do for them. But like you said, there are some folks that only come around when they want money. That is a very sad thing to do to say the least.

Alot of people have to work longer hours plus it takes both husband and wife to make ends meet in most households. SO, caring for an elderly family member is usually not an option.When I grew up, my Mom was a stay-at-home Mother. And, her Mother(my grandmother) did not drive. Mom spent alot of her time helping grandma get groceries, cleaning her house , mowing grass and what ever was needed.Nobody seems to have the extra free time nowadays!

Nobody I know is like that,,I expect there are some and you might know somebody ,But you cant generalise ,My Children or Grandchildren never ask me for money ,They have more money than I have lol,When I can afford it ,I give them money , but they never ask I have such a big immediate family now and I am a widow and I have had to stop buying them Birthday presents so I put a 2 pound scratch card in everybodys card ,My Daughter won on hers in February ,I make sure everybody has a nice Christmas present ,They really don't ask for anything ,and don't treat me as old ,even ringing me up to met them for a drink ,Also other neighbours in my Street have regular visits from their children taking them shopping etc and they are a lot older than me

well it first depends on how that child was brought up as to how they will be as an adult. But on the other hand the lives we live today have changed totally from the past and we just need new ways to survive, and those appear to be elders caring for elders.

Years ago when I first started into business of caring for seniors I went to an apartment community and asked if anyone wanted me to drive them (and assist them) to get their groceries. Two older ladies took me up on my offer, but by the end of the trip they told me "old people like to work with old people, you're too young to be doing this". That didn't keep me from doing my helper business, but it seems elders understand elders more than young people do. So I suggest you find yourself some friends to do things with.

You are generalizing. I respect and care for my elderly parents and don't want a penny from them. But to tell you the truth, with the horrible way that my mother treats ME, she will definitely outlive me. I am now having heart problems because of the stress she is putting me through. So put that in your hat and smoke it.

Most people do care for and respect the elderly who need it. There are many older folks who live their whole lives needing nothing they can't provide for themselves. It's just like everything else. There are a few rotten apples in every barrel !!!

I think this is pretty much a generalization. A lot of people do respect their elders and provide for their care but there are exceptions to this. Some of the most respected and cared for seniors really dont have much to leave to their families but they have given them a lifetime of love so their children are honored to care for them. Yes,some children are self-centered, mean and ungrateful but I find them to be in the minority.