Question

How does a lack of family contact affect the older person?

Answer

Older people are really very little different from younger people. They like contact, and often have the time and the patience to enjoy the attention and companionship of younger people such as grandchildren. There is often a good, strong bond between a grandchild and grandparent, especially if this is fostered by the parents themselves.

Older people need company and companionship as much as people at any other age, but the relationship between older people and their family very much depends on how the older person treated the sons and daughters when they were younger. If that relationship was strong, then it is likely that the friendship will continue when the older person becomes in need of some care. However, if there was never any love between an older person and their son/daughter we often find that there is rejection of the older person by the younger when it is the older person's time to require help. There are of course some dutiful daughters/sons who will look after an older relative who they do not love, but that is not usual.

Overall, it is very important to most older people to have family contact. In most cases, this is a question of comradeship, companionship, support and pleasure, and does not necessarily take on a caring role.

Links

• Family relations