I was watching what I would describe as disturbing commentary on one of those current affairs type programs on TV.
The Minister for Health in NSW was saying “Old people take up 80% of hospital bed space”.
This is only a smattering of what else was said, bear with me here, there is a common thread of thought coming.
The next item was how old people are costing employers millions of dollars because employees are taking time off to look after their elderly parents when they are ill or are recovering from operations etc.
My concern is that the thread of thought that is being subconsciously planted is that old people are a burden on society and they are costing (it’s always about the mighty dollar) the economy, the taxpayer and employers vast sums of money to keep them alive.
It all sounds innocuous at the start but the underlying theme is that old people are using up all the health resources and maybe it’s a problem we need to deal with. If a thought is promoted long enough it starts people thinking of solutions that may not be in the best interest of the elderly.
I may be over reacting but I have seen ideas promoted in the past that lead ordinary decent citizens taking a stand that is morally and ethically reprehensible. The media needs to be more responsible in its reporting and show more objectivity in it’s presentation.
How about promoting how these people require society to look after them now that they are infirm, they have generally worked and paid taxes all their lives. the government should be providing more aged care facilities allowing the aged to live out their lives in dignity. Facilities where they are encouraged to participate in activities and not just drugged up to keep them quiet and docile.