Elderly Armenians in Los Angeles
I'm so sad.
I've seen this gentleman on my drive home a few times in the last few months who braves the hills and expanses of his La Canada abode with a walker. Some older adults are quick with their assistive walking devices, presumably being proactive by using it for the extra support it provides. Others, more commonly, are not. The trek from the front door to the mail box for some of these homes could entail an hour. Seriously.
So, I see this man but never stopped to scope out the situation. I want to but the excuses that cloud my judgment in the few moments he grabs my attention are plentiful. And prove to be pitiful.
He probably has family acting as responsible caretakers.
He wouldn't be living in this house alone.
It's good for him to get out the house and have this daily goal.
If I approached him, he'd probably be suspicious of my efforts.
Our culture doesn't allow for this sort of thing. It's none of my business.
Blah, Blah, Blah.
I know the stas on the demographics of older adults. I know that the elderly fall to blind eyes in our community. I know that falls are so highly prevalent and incapacitating for older adults. I know that I should have known better than to drive away. I know that I will never do this again.
Yesterday something happened, I don't know what, exactly, but I know I didn't do my part as a neighbor. All I know is that there were paramedics and an ambulance in front of his house with a group of guys undeniably Armenian. Which, of course, begs the question of whether he was Armenian. Talk about kicking yourself for not doing your part.
I don’t have any more time than the next person as I try, unsuccessfully, to find ways to simplify my life but I could have found a way to help with his mail, the shopping, to change a light bulb. I know how even the simplest things most of us overlook can become so difficult for the elderly. And the kicker is that I am hyper aware to this social problem. My sensitivities have grown regarding this and if I ever find the time to pull my thoughts together I’ll write about why.
Do you know who the elderly are in your area that you should be keeping an eye out for? Have you ever wondered if they are Armenian. Is it possible that there is an entire community of Armenian elders unnecessarily struggling without family support in the greater Los Angeles area? I don’t know the answers to these questions. But, if I did I would find a way to address the problem.
The moral of my story is that we should be just as aware of protecting the elderly in our community as we are of children. And if there are elderly Armenians who have been lost in the shuffle we, I, you should work to ensure their safety and quality of life. The smallest things count and it really does take a village.
On a brighter note, I hope that everyone enjoys their 4th of July holiday!
I've seen this gentleman on my drive home a few times in the last few months who braves the hills and expanses of his La Canada abode with a walker. Some older adults are quick with their assistive walking devices, presumably being proactive by using it for the extra support it provides. Others, more commonly, are not. The trek from the front door to the mail box for some of these homes could entail an hour. Seriously.
So, I see this man but never stopped to scope out the situation. I want to but the excuses that cloud my judgment in the few moments he grabs my attention are plentiful. And prove to be pitiful.
He probably has family acting as responsible caretakers.
He wouldn't be living in this house alone.
It's good for him to get out the house and have this daily goal.
If I approached him, he'd probably be suspicious of my efforts.
Our culture doesn't allow for this sort of thing. It's none of my business.
Blah, Blah, Blah.
I know the stas on the demographics of older adults. I know that the elderly fall to blind eyes in our community. I know that falls are so highly prevalent and incapacitating for older adults. I know that I should have known better than to drive away. I know that I will never do this again.
Yesterday something happened, I don't know what, exactly, but I know I didn't do my part as a neighbor. All I know is that there were paramedics and an ambulance in front of his house with a group of guys undeniably Armenian. Which, of course, begs the question of whether he was Armenian. Talk about kicking yourself for not doing your part.
I don’t have any more time than the next person as I try, unsuccessfully, to find ways to simplify my life but I could have found a way to help with his mail, the shopping, to change a light bulb. I know how even the simplest things most of us overlook can become so difficult for the elderly. And the kicker is that I am hyper aware to this social problem. My sensitivities have grown regarding this and if I ever find the time to pull my thoughts together I’ll write about why.
Do you know who the elderly are in your area that you should be keeping an eye out for? Have you ever wondered if they are Armenian. Is it possible that there is an entire community of Armenian elders unnecessarily struggling without family support in the greater Los Angeles area? I don’t know the answers to these questions. But, if I did I would find a way to address the problem.
The moral of my story is that we should be just as aware of protecting the elderly in our community as we are of children. And if there are elderly Armenians who have been lost in the shuffle we, I, you should work to ensure their safety and quality of life. The smallest things count and it really does take a village.
On a brighter note, I hope that everyone enjoys their 4th of July holiday!
Labels: Armenians Social Services, Elderly, Los Angeles
posted by Lisa M. at 7:27 PM
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