Now that you have imagined the scenario you or I could face as we age, how do you feel?  The bigger question is how do you want to be treated as your life is changing beyond your control?  Do you want to be listened to, understood, able to make choices and voice your opinion, or do you want to be unheard, misunderstood, or ignored?  Do you want to be treated with dignity and respect, or disregarded as if you have no feelings or thoughts?  Do you want to be looked at and spoken to like an adult, that has had a whole lifetime of service, contributions, accomplishments, overcome struggles, achievements, thoughts, feelings, and opinions, or as if you have no previous life before old age?  Do you want to be included in conversations, or talked over and around, like you’re not even there? 

Should you or I, a loved one in our family, or a friend be treated as less of a person than we are?  Should those around us look at us as a disease, or as a wonderful person with a disease?  Should a specific illness or injury have a specific level of respect attached to it, or should we all be treated with dignity and respect no matter what we’re afflicted with?

As I said earlier, I have witnessed the best care and treatment, and the worst.  It infuriates me to see the disregard and disrespect of our society’s senior population.  Our elder generation provided a path for us.  They have raised a generation, fought for our freedom, worked and provided a better future for us, gone through devastation most of us will never know, and made available lessons, answers,  and solutions, all contributing in one form or another.  Where is the gratitude and respect for all they have done?  Why don’t we all see this when we look at them?  Why don’t we spend time with our older generation, listening, understanding, and learning?

I believe we can change the way we view seniors.  I believe we can become an America that cares for and respects the aged persons of our society.  I believe we can all become better people by spending time conversing, and learning from our elders.  I believe I can contribute in some small way by changing even a few hearts and minds to look at seniors in a whole new way, increasing respect, and improving care.

My final question for you is would you like to be looked at as just some old person, or do you want everyone to look Behind the Old Face?