There are elderly people in every community in the world. So it is not like you have never seen someone over the age of 70 before. These people are important members of our communities and help shape the dynamics of society. Yet when they reach a certain age or can no longer look after themselves, many are placed in nursing homes or assisted living. However, while this can take the stress off those taking care of them many lose contact with their families and are left lonely and cut off from the world outside the nursing home or assisted living complex. The elderly are not objects you just throw out or hide when they gets old, they are a resource to society and there is so much they can teach us.

When you spend time with elderly men and women it can be like a history lesson. These people have lived throughout much of the last century and have a lot to teach us. They have also lived through every life stage you have plus a few more so there is a lot you could learn. Also, the young generations aren’t the first to be reckless they could probably teach that as well. However when living in a nursing home many either can’t leave or have very limited opportunities to engage with the wider community.

This is not to say we should do away with nursing homes but we need to be aware of those living in them. Besides, not all elderly people move into nursing homes. These people are old but not stupid, they walk slower than they once did or now move with the aid of a wheelchair but that doesn’t make them lazy and the may be losing their memory but that doesn’t make them worthless. We all live busy lives but I suggest to anyone if you get the chance to spend some time at your local nursing home or with an elderly community group you will learn a lot.

There are many ways you can volunteer at the local nursing home or community group dedicated to the elderly. Whether it is finding out when they have bingo night and joining in or helping call, to simply having a conversation with someone while you go about your daily life. It all starts with the word "hello" and who know how much you could learn.