Why is it senior citizens are forgotten in society?

There are many sides to that question. Some seniors are forgotten because they made poor choices in life and don't deserve the love that they never gave to their children or wives. Then there are the seniors who were very deserving of love and care in their old age, but their family members are greedy and disrespectful towards them. Still, there are many more seniors who have loving families, and they do get all the care and attention they deserve.

As a senior, I have had to earn the respect and love of my friends and family by being there for them when they needed me, loving them unconditionally and accepting them for who they are. I took my role as a mother very seriously and I hope that my children and grandchildren will be there for me when I am in need. In my heart I know they will be, and it is very comforting to know that, but my heart goes out to those who have no one even if they didn't lead good lives or provide for their families. Young people should volunteer in nursing homes because they would be welcomed with open arms by the majority of patients there. They would also learn a valuable lesson....that everyone needs some attention and love.

Senior citizens are often forgotten in society because some deem they no longer have use. They cannot work, and their children have all been raised and are grown. This is likely the best reason for some people to say they have been forgotten.

In my opinion, this isn't the case. Senior citizens are still alive and can still engage in a lot of different activities. They may have issues which slow them down, but that doesn't mean they still can't do some things everyone else can.

When I was in my 40's I tried to run a business helping older folks, I wanted to "give back", the ones who were still renting and could get around just that their transportation was poor. At the end of the day I was told by two old women that they'd rather prefer someone their own age to have that business rather than a young person. So in reality I don't think senior citizens are abandoned or forgotten at all in that it takes their initiating the service or contact with others to be part of a group, part of society, etc. I know what you mean by "care" but I don't know what you mean by "care about them". See seniors can and still do get together to go places and do things it's just that they stick with their own age. Sometimes people get things like shingles which keeps them indoors and depression follows to which they then continue to stay indoors instead of brushing themselves off and getting out again.

i can't see a reason why senior citizens, should feel abandoned and forgotten. if they don't have health issues then they have the freedom and ability to join in with society. there are more older people in society now than there has ever been and growing all the time so i'm not sure it is a 'be young' society except in the context of a 'young at heart' society.

just to add a further comment after reading some of the answers, ok i don't live in america but here in the uk, the entertainment, tv programmes, night clubs, shows, shopping and lifestyles are very much catered for everyone equally, inc. senior citizens.

Yes. 1. My husband and I were talking about this just this morning. The "new" wars that have started the last couple of months are really civil wars just like the USA's war between the states where brother killed brother. If you were a king and someone tried to take your kingdom away from you, wouldn't you fight to keep it? But today's young adults have never been through these situations so they do not know how to handle this type of "war". 2. The young generation does not know how to do without. They do not even know how to rough it. 3. This new generation does not know how to be nice to each other. Most do not or will not sacrifice for anyone not even their parents. So very much has changed throughout the last 30 or 40 years.

As 'Whiterose' wrote " if senior citizens ... don't have health issues Then They have the freedom and ability to join in with society".

Consider however :

mainstream media, be it movies, tv programs, newspapers, magazines, advertisements; junk foods, confectionery [think shape];

commercial entertainment venues [think loud young peoples music and posters/multiple enormous televisions of young actors decorating their foyers];

shopping centres [think blaring young peoples music coming out from young peoples clothing stores into the malls, very bright lights, flash shiny slippery floors that are a hazard for seniors with gait problems and vertigo]

All these things are aimed at young children who pesters their parents for treats or teenagers and young adults who Think They Have A Large Disposable Income. They are aimed at these age groups because they spend the most money.

But all the 'young peoples stuff ' is off-putting to more senior people so they stay away;

And/Or seeing as the more senior people Are Not featured in the media/advertising for entertainment venues or shopping centres, they are Simply Forgotten by other age groups Because Their Physical Image Is Simply Not Featured.

Whose idea was it to sanction this acrimony ?

Was it the young children or teenagers who edited the media and marketed the entertainment venues and shopping centres ? No.

It is the adults - be it young, middle aged or senior adult who are doing this to themselves. Whether they are managers of these things or places or owners or shareholders. They are Using and Confusing the Younger Generation and biting themselves in the bum, in the name of making money.

We have to remember that these seniors were once youngsters and they lived their lives in whatever way they chose. Just because someone is old and frail doesn't mean they are innocent of all wrong doing in regards to others.

If you live your life in the best possible way, it will attract the good people and even in old age, you'll still be surrounded by the same kind of nurturing individuals. Simply, you receive what you've given.

I believe that the answer to this conundrum is that the majority of senior citizens are no longer in the work force and therefore, are not contributing $$ to the governmental coffers. Therefore, we can be ignored (until they want our vote and then they mail us $250.00) It is always about the bottom line - money!

Just my opinion.

CJ

Forgotten? The major drug companies love us.Just watch all of the commercials at night promoting products to cure us of impotence,arthritis,weak bladders and other maladies.

The automobile companies have not forgotten about us.Just watch the golf tournaments and the car companies are pitching the plushest safest vehicles to us.

Oh, and every four years we are the politician's best friend.Those in Washington love to pander to us.

I've always said!!!

"you'd better make friends with a lot of lil kids"

and be good to em, other wise, they'll be no one to come and see us later in life!