Join me in making senior's lives a little brighter

I've spent a lot of time wondering lately where we went so wrong with how we treat our elders in North America.

When visiting Europe last year, I was acutely aware of the multi-generational families out for walks, late in the evenings. More than that, I was acutely aware of the respect shown to the elder family members. They weren't holed up in senior facilities, some forgotten. They were actively still a part of the family unit, and of the community in general.

Elders are the absolute best source of wisdom. They carry knowledge and stories we will never know, unless we listen. They are not burdens, they are gifts and should be treated as such.

All of this thinking has brought on a lot of research and provoked many further eye-opening conversations on what we offer for seniors in Nova Scotia, and what we don't. 

Seniors are a deeply under served demographic and I want to help change this. I want to make life a little brighter. I want to find where the gaps are and see what truly needs to happen to see meaningful changes. I want people to remember that elders matter and that they are alive, until they take their last breath. That their time on earth should be more than sitting in waiting to pass away. That they should not be left alone in isolation. 

This may sound bleak, but it is the reality for many and we should not be ok with this. 

What can you do to help? Simply offering a smile is a great place to start. You'd be amazed how even the grumpiest looking person struggles not to smile back. People of all ages need love and human connection. Something that sounds so simple may be a luxury to some. 

We have the power to make life a little brighter. It's not too late to remember who and what matters. It's not too late to reach out to an elderly neighbour who lives alone, or visit an assisted living facility with a basket of Easter treats. 

Every act, big and small, help. Won't you join me in making even one seniors life a little brighter?