The Islamic Elderly and Western Care Practises: Are we Ready for a change?
Almost every religion and culture has a unique perspective on ageing and that perspective guides the care that the elderly receive from their prospective culture. However, as we as a society are becoming increasingly multicultural, there needs to be some understanding as to how western society can do a better job in creating a comforting environment for our aging based on the religious and cultural backgrounds of our elderly. As of “2011 there were 1,053,945 Muslims living in Canada, comprising 3.2 percent of the national population. This represents the second largest religious group (after Christianity), and is one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian population.” …show more content…
This is not simply a duty, but a sacred obligation that must be provided to the Islamic elderly. “children have to, according to their means, ensure the support and maintenance of their parents, which includes providing for their daily living requirements and general material needs to secure a comfortable life for them when they are old.” (Abdullah 384) It should also be noted that this duty is not limited to one’s own parents, as “the prophet Mohammed told his followers that the aged and the infirm among their neighbours were to enjoy the rights additional to those of the general Muslim populace.” (Elsaman, Radwa and Mohamed Arafa) This has led to the creation of Long Term Care facilities in the Middle East for individuals who do not have family to take care of them. It is interesting to note that “only 0.7% of Arab-Israeliis lived in long term care (LTC) institutions.” (Alfarah) This demonstrates the Muslim preference to in home care, and the children’s “fear of violating their religious duties.” …show more content…
Although North American’s care for their aging, they also tend to view aging as an undesirable state. Age is looked at as a failure; something to be feared. There is this tendency to try and hide the aging process by dying ones hair, or using cosmetic surgery. The media has idolized youth and frowned upon the aging. Several studies have been done on the portrayal of aging in the media and “The majority of the studies found that the elderly were generally depicted in a negative light and that elderly characters were rarely cast in major roles or fully developed.” (Vasil, Latika and Hannelore Wass) Simply watching a television show in which an elder individual is depicted one can see the negative stereotyping and ageism that is prevalent in the media. The elder population are usually presented as nagging, unemployed and forgetful. How can we blend the two concept’s, that of Western and Eastern ideals, and create a system of elder care that respects and looks after our aging in a manner that treats them as active participants in society, with experiences to
Almost every religion and culture has a unique perspective on ageing and that perspective guides the care that the elderly receive from their prospective culture. However, as we as a society are becoming increasingly multicultural, there needs to be some understanding as to how western society can do a better job in creating a comforting environment for our aging based on the religious and cultural backgrounds of our elderly. As of “2011 there were 1,053,945 Muslims living in Canada, comprising 3.2 percent of the national population. This represents the second largest religious group (after Christianity), and is one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian population.” …show more content…
This is not simply a duty, but a sacred obligation that must be provided to the Islamic elderly. “children have to, according to their means, ensure the support and maintenance of their parents, which includes providing for their daily living requirements and general material needs to secure a comfortable life for them when they are old.” (Abdullah 384) It should also be noted that this duty is not limited to one’s own parents, as “the prophet Mohammed told his followers that the aged and the infirm among their neighbours were to enjoy the rights additional to those of the general Muslim populace.” (Elsaman, Radwa and Mohamed Arafa) This has led to the creation of Long Term Care facilities in the Middle East for individuals who do not have family to take care of them. It is interesting to note that “only 0.7% of Arab-Israeliis lived in long term care (LTC) institutions.” (Alfarah) This demonstrates the Muslim preference to in home care, and the children’s “fear of violating their religious duties.” …show more content…
Although North American’s care for their aging, they also tend to view aging as an undesirable state. Age is looked at as a failure; something to be feared. There is this tendency to try and hide the aging process by dying ones hair, or using cosmetic surgery. The media has idolized youth and frowned upon the aging. Several studies have been done on the portrayal of aging in the media and “The majority of the studies found that the elderly were generally depicted in a negative light and that elderly characters were rarely cast in major roles or fully developed.” (Vasil, Latika and Hannelore Wass) Simply watching a television show in which an elder individual is depicted one can see the negative stereotyping and ageism that is prevalent in the media. The elder population are usually presented as nagging, unemployed and forgetful. How can we blend the two concept’s, that of Western and Eastern ideals, and create a system of elder care that respects and looks after our aging in a manner that treats them as active participants in society, with experiences to