One day it will be YOU !! please be kind

[cateyes1]

“Twice this week, I have watched an elderly individual, fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife but the shop assistant simply said it’s in aisle ‘6’. But he struggled to navigate the supermarket and as I watched him go in the wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to go.”
“Today, I watched an elderly man struggle in the heat, who had obviously had a fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He walked past people in the cafe, while he slowly made his way to his car. Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked he was ok. He told me he had a fall and wasn’t sure how the air con worked in his car so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him, until his air con kicked in and heard him talk about the old frail body that he is in, that fails him now, every single day.”
“When you see an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket or struggling to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grandparents and your parents and how upset you would be if someone didn’t stop to help them. But more, think of them as you.”
“Once upon a time they were you. They were busy, they had work, they had children, and they were able. Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day it will be you, it will be us. I wish more people cared more about them and acknowledged them for their admirable existence and jeez I hope someday, not that far away, someone does it for me.”
Thanks to the author, Adele Renee.

[countrygirl12]

Okay, the guy you put in his car did not need to be driving.  Hopefully he did not kill anyone on his way home.  If he could not find his car or figure out how to work the air conditioning he sure did not need to be navigating on the road way trying to find his way home.

It isn't so much about being too busy to help as it is not safe to help.  People play the victim to set you up.  All old people are not helpless.  There was a deal once where an elderly woman pretended to be sick and needed help.  She called from her car and when the person went over there they were hit over the head and robbed.

When I was much younger I saw an old woman with 2 of the 12 pack of Pepsi (something I absolutely hate) and she was carrying them to her car.  I came up to her and offered to help her.  She started screaming at me to get away from her.  Attracting all kinds of attention.  And acts like I was trying to steal her nasty drinks. NO, I was trying to be nice.  I learned a lesson that day.  Mind your own business and let people struggle.  If she wanted help she could ask a store associate.

As for cashiers or whomever who just say it is on aisle 6 or where ever...  They do not usually have time to walk each customer to an item.  Esp if they tell theme exactly where it is located.  I worked a retail store a long time ago.  An old man came in and ask where the Doritos were.  They are on the chip aisle.  Which is right in front of you.  I was not suppose to leave the cash register.  I told him about 3 times where they were.  He finally told me he could not read and ask me if I could help him so he got the correct ones.  (The ones they sent him for)  I gladly helped him. 

I have helped people find things in stores.  I am not big any more of helping people to their car.  That is not safe.  It is the world we live in.  They may be old and look innocent but they could get you out in the parking lot and at their car and then point a gun at you and kidnap you, rob you, kill you, who knows.  The point is people are not just being mean when they walk on past someone who seems out of sorts.  They are just looking out for their own safety.

At the same time, the elderly person who needs help has to worry about who is offering to help them.  It could be some young punk that wants to rob them.  A man in my home town was beaten to death and robbed.  The culprits?  About 6 girls who were suppose to be wanting to help him.  What did they get?  A couple of pills (not enough for each one to have one) and less than 2 dollars.  That is what this man gave his life for.

We live in a sad pathetic world.

[pstovall]

What a disturbing thread.  It's sad to think that you can't give or receive help when in need without fear for your own safety!

[debidoo]

I am 65 and in August I will be 66 and it concerns me how callous and uncaring people are toward the senior citizens of our society.  I wonder as this post states if people will think back when they get there how caring or uncaring they were toward people of elder age.

[miltonarmitage]

cateyes1, You're so right what you said in your post! This society (here in the western world at least) is too consumed with work, money and what's popular on youtube. It's also a "what have you done for me lately" type of society we live in, there is a serious lack of respect for people and their property. That being said, it's not all doom and gloom! I sometimes read stories like the one you wrote about and they help to remind me that there are still a lot of kind and caring people out there. These stories don't get the attention in the media that crimes and tragedies do but the bad guys haven't won yet. Word gets around, perhaps if we practice more of what we preach, being nice and considerate will become cool and the "thing to do". Bless you for helping the old man, now it's my turn!         

[ktheodos]

What a disturbing thread.  It's sad to think that you can't give or receive help when in need without fear for your own safety!

True, but sometimes the positive is overshadowed too - there are great people as well!

[countrygirl12]

I am 65 and in August I will be 66 and it concerns me how callous and uncaring people are toward the senior citizens of our society.  I wonder as this post states if people will think back when they get there how caring or uncaring they were toward people of elder age.

Have you actually asked for help?  It is not that people are callous and uncaring.  People have to look out for themselves.  Before you judge that young person for not stopping to help you (without you asking) or you see them not stop and help someone - you don't t know their situation.  Maybe they had an experience like I did. Maybe that younger person has medical problems that you are not aware of.  Not all can be seen.

[countrygirl12]

cateyes1, You're so right what you said in your post! This society (here in the western world at least) is too consumed with work, money and what's popular on youtube. It's also a "what have you done for me lately" type of society we live in, there is a serious lack of respect for people and their property. That being said, it's not all doom and gloom! I sometimes read stories like the one you wrote about and they help to remind me that there are still a lot of kind and caring people out there. These stories don't get the attention in the media that crimes and tragedies do but the bad guys haven't won yet. Word gets around, perhaps if we practice more of what we preach, being nice and considerate will become cool and the "thing to do". Bless you for helping the old man, now it's my turn!         

I honestly doubt people walking past someone and not helping them load groceries in their car in a parking lot are too consumed with youtube to help.  I as well as almost everyone I know very rarely watch youtube.  And could care less what is on it.

People not helping others doesn't have anything to do with work or money either.  People are too quick to judge.  A couple years ago I stopped at the gas station to get a drink and snack for work.  I parked on the side because there was no room in the front.  When I came back out a woman appears out of no where asking me which direction I am going in.  She is all pathetic and wanting a ride.  Uh sorry, take your fat butt to walking cause you are not getting in a car with me.  I am sure some would judge me harshly for that decision but MY life is worth more than some thug that is out to rob or kill me.  It's the world we live in.  Watch the news.  People are evil.  Even the most sweet elderly people you see can be part of a scheme to set you up.

That doesn't mean people are cold or callous or uncaring.

As far as helping others, I do see that all the time.  I have seen men load things for women at Walmart, Lowe's stuff like that all the time.  There is a lot of good people in the world.  A lot of people who help others and go on with their day without plastering it on Facebook and making sure the world knows they done it.  If I help someone I just do it and go on.  I don't tell the world I done it.  Nobody knows but me, them and God.  And if some idiot took my picture or videoed it and put it on the internet I would be really upset.  I do do things for attention.

[potluck6]

im 62 and don't like the word elderly that's for an older person.  people should help when they can and props to you for helping.

[countrygirl12]

im 62 and don't like the word elderly that's for an older person.  people should help when they can and props to you for helping.

Well 62 is not old.  Heck there is a guy at church that is almost 80 and when I found that out I about fell over.  He doesn't seem any where near 80.

[teresa3200]

I think you did a wonderful thing helping them out. This world needs more people like you. Some people are so uncaring and insensitive it is unbelievable.

[JaniceSW]

cateyes1, You're so right what you said in your post! This society (here in the western world at least) is too consumed with work, money and what's popular on youtube. It's also a "what have you done for me lately" type of society we live in, there is a serious lack of respect for people and their property. That being said, it's not all doom and gloom! I sometimes read stories like the one you wrote about and they help to remind me that there are still a lot of kind and caring people out there. These stories don't get the attention in the media that crimes and tragedies do but the bad guys haven't won yet. Word gets around, perhaps if we practice more of what we preach, being nice and considerate will become cool and the "thing to do". Bless you for helping the old man, now it's my turn!         

I honestly doubt people walking past someone and not helping them load groceries in their car in a parking lot are too consumed with youtube to help.  I as well as almost everyone I know very rarely watch youtube.  And could care less what is on it.

People not helping others doesn't have anything to do with work or money either.  People are too quick to judge.  A couple years ago I stopped at the gas station to get a drink and snack for work.  I parked on the side because there was no room in the front.  When I came back out a woman appears out of no where asking me which direction I am going in.  She is all pathetic and wanting a ride.  Uh sorry, take your fat butt to walking cause you are not getting in a car with me.  I am sure some would judge me harshly for that decision but MY life is worth more than some thug that is out to rob or kill me.  It's the world we live in.  Watch the news.  People are evil.  Even the most sweet elderly people you see can be part of a scheme to set you up.

That doesn't mean people are cold or callous or uncaring.

As far as helping others, I do see that all the time.  I have seen men load things for women at Walmart, Lowe's stuff like that all the time.  There is a lot of good people in the world.  A lot of people who help others and go on with their day without plastering it on Facebook and making sure the world knows they done it.  If I help someone I just do it and go on.  I don't tell the world I done it.  Nobody knows but me, them and God.  And if some idiot took my picture or videoed it and put it on the internet I would be really upset.  I do do things for attention.

Well, I am now 70 years.  Since 1993 I have been single and going to the grocery for water softener salt for my softener.  I can count on one hand how many times people have offered to help me load 40 pound bags into my trunk.  It was not so bad up until about 3 years ago.  I have had men walk just a few feet from me and not offer. I have had men sit in their truck or car straight across from where I am parked and watch me load it with out moving.  There are very few helpful people in the world today for whatever reason.  Both these situations have happened far more than once.  So, I am very happy to read and acknowledge that someone is aware and willing to help when they see and have some time!  Thanks for the original post!!

[mrisha]

It is sad that the posters are telling most of the truth.  The people who are in their 20's now never think that one day they may need a helping hand.  Keep on living to see how cruel human kinds really are in this world.  You can't trust 99.99 percent of the people in this world.

It's a cruel world and getting worst.

[de3ik]

The OP story is terrible. I feel so bad for the elderly and think that abuse is on the rise because people seem to be more callous than ever. I remember hearing a horrible story of how a senior lady was sexually assaulted and the nursing home worker didn't care that he hurt her and had the nerve to complain about her smell since she was incontinent. It so disturbing that younger people think this couldn't happen to them. It can. It pays to be good to all people and especially people who have a disadvantage and need help.

[Legslangevan]

Jesus said over 2000 yrs ago there would be many signs that marked the end of this Satanic system.1 of them was the love of the greater number would cool off.Whattya think?