Why do so many old people live
alone?*
I asked this question to four different German friends. Here are their
answers:
Friend 1
People want to live independently of others. They regard
self-sufficiency as being highly desirable. They do not like to be dependent on
the help of others.
Friend 2
Many married couples, especially elderly married couples live very
isolated lives. Their children live elsewhere and they only see them a few
times a year. They do not have many friends and, with age, they also die. So,
when one of the couple dies, the widower or widow finds it very hard to find
new friends or make social contact.
Friend 3
Many years ago, it was more popular for multi-generational families
to live under one roof. This sort of family life was very strenuous and there
was a lot of strife. Now people do not see this type of lifestyle as being in
the bit least desirable.
Friend 4
Most children move out of their parent’s home in their late teens or
early twenties. They often go and live in other parts of Germany or even other
countries. The parents know there is little likelihood they will live in the
same place again. So, the parents build a separate life from their children.
When they become too old to take care of themselves, they know they will not go
to live with their children, but go into a senior citizen home.
* My friends from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan say in their culture,
ideally, no elder person whould have to live alone.
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