Have you ever felt a heavy burden because the responsibility of caring for an elderly family member has shifted to you? I am feeling that way right now.

My mother’s younger sibling is having a stroke. I am the closest family member who lives in the same city as her. I have no choice but to take care of all his needs while he is in the hospital.

His other nieces and nephews are scattered in different cities. Indeed, they called and expressed their sympathy, but they couldn’t help due to our distance.

Unlike in developed countries, where the olds leave their home to live in a nursing home. In my country, that is not common. Most elderly family members are cared for by their children or nieces, or they live independently.

I am not egoistic. I don’t deny my social responsibility to take care of my uncle, either. My ability to care for the sick has significantly diminished. I am not young anymore. I am not able to stay awake day and night. I have reached an age where I should slow down and focus more on myself.

However, I also learned a valuable lesson from this incident. So that I am better prepared to welcome my elderly time. Maintaining health is the most important thing. I also have to be financially strong. My children or my siblings might be having financial difficulties when I suddenly fall ill. If I have my own money, they won’t have to worry. Their greetings are enough to make me feel cared for.

Many people realize too late that their well-being in old age is directly linked to the preparations they made during their younger years. While it’s often expected that extended family will provide care, the reality is that not everyone has that privilege. Without proper preparation, life can become challenging in old age.