I am spending time with my MIL (mother-in-law) this evening. We are having popcorn and watching an old Egyptian film. My MIL is suffering from Cardiovascular disease, which is unfortunately exacerbated by Alzheimers. Egyptians do not put their elderly into nursing homes. They feel that to not take care of their elderly would be dishonorable. I do understand this concept, but I am not sure it is practical. For instance, many times my MIL leaves the gas on her stove and has burned many pots and pans. We have been fortunate, as we can always smell the gas or the acrid smell of a pot or the rubber handle of a pan. Sometimes my MIL sleeps until noon, which means her morning medicines are given to her late. Just two days ago, my bowab (porter of the building) came to me and said that the "Hajja" had called him and that she had fallen in her home. I was the only one in the building at the time, and I had no key to get in. I called my husband who came as quickly as he could. El homdulela, she was ok and hadn't broken anything. If she was in a nursing home, or a long term care facility the same incident could have happened, but the reaction time would have been better. I do understand that to not care for your elderly relatives is a shame, as well it should be. I am just not sure if families during this time period are able to do so to the advantage of the elderly. As I sit and enjoy my popcorn and film with my MIL, I can't help but wonder what will happen to my husband and my in-law's when they get older. Will their children dedicate their days to accommodate their aging and needy parents? Somehow, I do doubt that seriously. As for myself, if I live to be that old, which I seriously doubt, I am going to go back to the US and join one of those old age homes in Washington, N.C., so that I can play Canasta all day and gossip about the other oldie goldies in the place. If they don't let me in, I will just hang out in the reception until they get frustrated and give me a bed! I mean, what else will they do with an old, aggravating lady??
Until next time,
A Woman of Egypt