I always feel so sad when I see old people

[TheOliveSeed]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Occasionally. (depending on their circumstances other than the ones you mentioned) If they're godly, however, they've lived full lives and have a lot of wisdom to pass on.

 

[Dale]

A lot of old people are lonely and could use a little attention.

On the other hand, some people die young. If you live to be eighty or ninety, that's a privelege not given to everyone.

 

[Tone]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

I don't feel sad, but I do feel a sense of respect and regard, and I am compelled to serve them in whatever way I can.

 

[bèlla]

I don’t feel sorrow when I see the elderly. They’re signposts of our mortality and a reminder to count our days and live them to the fullest. So our recollections will be pleasant and we’ll leave the world in peace.

~Bella

 

[jacknife]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

No not really.

 

[MehGuy]

Certainly not an upper. Being reminded of what will happen to you.. unless you're unlucky enough to die early.

 

[ChicanaRose]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

It depends on their disposition.
I only feel sad if they look sad. But if they are smiling and cracking up jokes, there is no reason to.

I think what you are experiencing is compassion. Maybe God is giving you a special place in your heart for the lonely. It's really sweet and empathetic of you to notice people in this way.

 

[Not me]

I am so blessed to be old, at 62 my life is just getting good. Blessings are coming a mile a minute. By blessings I mean, my relationship with Christ is exploding. Would not change anything about my life. Made my mistakes, but through them all God saw me. I would not feel bad for old people, maybe jealous a bit but not bad... From a old dude who knows Christ.

To even expound further, each day is new and fresh because “things” are no longer important just doing righteousness in every circumstance and situation. Which causes the joy of the Lord to rule in all things.... Be blessed for one day you too might walk in the footsteps of the old and you will have no regrets.

In Christ, Not me

 

[Niels]

I don't feel sad when I see old people. If anything, I feel a sense of admiration and respect toward them. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to be one myself someday.

As a Westerner it has always seemed strange to me that Western society would pity (in the pejorative sense) its elders. On both sides of my family, older family members are beloved. From what I've heard, this is more common in Eastern society. I'd think respect and admiration for the elderly would be common across humanity. Then again, I suppose it's good that humanity isn't something I put much faith in.

 

[klutedavid]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

We all get old and that's a part of life. I feel sorry for them also and try to help where I can.

I really like old people as they have lived their lives and are so easy to talk too because of that.

Though I might add, try not to grow too old as I once met a very old lady. She was watching her kids dying of old age and she was suffering as a result.

Don't feel depressed as everyone is ageing and it's just life. I can't wait until I am really old as we have so much to look forward too. Bring it on!

 

[klutedavid]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

I was reading a story the other day.

Two teenagers crash tackled a 74 year old woman on a beach for fun. One teenager filmed the tackle and the other did the deed.

Thinking it was funny they uploaded the video. That allowed the police to catch them. What was interesting was the guy who tackled the old woman got six years in prison. But the other guy also got six years in prison for filming his friend, as he was complicit.

Well the judge got those convictions correct.

 

[MrMoe]

Yep. Aging sucks.

 

[Sketcher]

It's only sad if they're alone.

 

[timewerx]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

It means you're developing empathy.

In many cases they're alone and their kids have no more time for them.

I've heard a couple of times how some old people envy those who still have their kids seeing their old parents more than once a week or still live with them.

Apparently, their highly successful children no longer have time for them. It's so ironic. Jesus technically lived with His parents to the very end.

 

[bèlla]

In many cases they're alone and their kids have no more time for them.

In the U.S., there are several reasons an elderly person may be alone. This includes:

Death of a spouse
Lack of children/extended family
Poverty
Poor health
Broken relationships

I've heard a couple of times how some old people envy those who still have their kids seeing their old parents more than once a week or still live with them.

Some medical conditions require additional assistance or round-the-clock care. This is especially true for Alzheimer's and dementia. Some were fortunate to purchase long-term care policies years ago that provided for in-home assistance. My uncle had one. He was required to pay for the first three months and they’d cover the rest thereafter. That cost him nearly $10K each month for three shifts.

Apparently, their highly successful children no longer have time for them. It's so ironic. Jesus technically lived with His parents to the very end.

Is this something you’ve seen firsthand in medical facilities? Or are you going by hearsay? Were you aware of their parenting and lifestyle? It’s easy to speculate from afar.

Sinners age too. Liars, cheats, abusers, etc. Aloneness isn’t always the result of an absence of concern.

~Bella

 

[timewerx]

Is this something you’ve seen firsthand in medical facilities? Or are you going by hearsay? Were you aware of their parenting and lifestyle? It’s easy to speculate from afar.

Sinners age too. Liars, cheats, abusers, etc. Aloneness isn’t always the result of an absence of concern.

From random talks with old people on the mall.

Most people we talk to don't usually mention their healthcare issues but kept wishing they had one of their offspring with them.

I'm simply sharing some of the sad things old people go through. Maybe they see me as the "sad broken" type so they find it easy to share their problems with me.

I'm aware it's not realistically possible to live with old parents permanently. They only wish we see them more often.

 

[bèlla]

I'm simply sharing some of the sad things old people go through. Maybe they see me as the "sad broken" type so they find it easy to share their problems with me.

I’ve watched this play out in my family. Close-knit families usually remain that way. Especially those who place a priority on familial relationships. My grandparents included extended relations in that concept.

That thread runs throughout our family. We take care of each other. No one’s left out or left behind. It’s unthinkable. I’ve witnessed the same with close friends. If they’re tight it usually lasts. And you see the fruit of those bonds as members age.

~Bella

 

[HisGraceAbounds]

I can't see an old person without feeling really sad and depressed. It's worse if they look visibly old, if they're hunchbacked and/or look frail, and if they're alone (I always wonder if their spouse has passed on and they're now by themselves). This has been happening for the past few years. Does this happen to anyone else?

I didn't used to pay much attention to older folks. They were just kind of there. After spending years caring for my father at the end of his life, I got to see aging in a different light. Now I'm much more aware of older folks and I perhaps make a little more effort to be kind to them or to just acknowledge their existence with a head nod or a quick 'hello'. I don't tend to do this for people of my own generation or younger ones.

 

[lismore]

Does this happen to anyone else?

I think it's a really important ministry in the church to look after the elderly in our midst. I think it comes under the Luke 14:14 category. No elderly person in the church should feel alone or lonely.

Also reaching out to elderly- frail and often lonely people outside the church. The world often does not give a fig about the elderly, the vulnerable or the disabled. The church should show them a different way. What an incredible way to show the love of God and for evangelism!

God Bless