How do the Navajo People care for their elderly?
With love, care and a great deal of respect in most cases if one follows tradition. Traditionally family units were built around the elderly. This allowed the younger generation to both learn from them and care for those who needed assistance. The elderly were not confined to some sterile retirement village devoid of youth. That seems very selfish. Recent construction of mass housing for young people has eroded this tradition by separating generations, however people have resisted and fought to maintain family ties. It is not unusual for a child to be placed with a grandparent “to keep them company, so they won’t be lonely”, as one child explained why they lived with a grandfather to a teacher. The particular child went on to emphasize it was ” their turn.” This implies others were involved too. There are nursing homes for the elderly who require medical assistance they can not get at home. The tribe funds these. Again even though the elders may be disabled, they are treated with a gre
