Despite the cultural changes, these wise sages did somehow manage to offer advice so full of simple truth that it can still be applied today. They wrote that for healing care to be successful, four main supports should be in place; just as a chair has four legs to support the seat. These supports are:
- A knowledgeable doctor
- A caring nurse
- A supply of appropriate medicine or therapy
- A patient that has confidence in their care givers with a willingness to follow suggestions.
It may sound simple but compared to what is in practice today may hold some answers. Our modern doctors face so many more challenges. They rarely have time to get to know their patients and gain knowledge of their family situation. They often work in a system when one specialist is not in contact with another; even in one practice multiple doctors may handle one client. In a system like this, all elderly people need advocates as they are easily intimidated or overwhelmed by authority figures or confused by the options being offered. They need someone who is willing to speak up for them, to take the time and seek the professional help needed to insure that medications and therapies are compatible from both an allopathic and naturopathic perspective. It is necessary to find a doctor who is willing to answer questions from family members and gently take the time to explain the results of medical testing. Older people tend to resist change and fear rejection so getting appropriate care delivered with an attitude of respect is a must and if not requires an immediate change of doctors.
Many of us are just not geographically close enough to “nurse” our parents. This reality insures that we might eventually have to rely on care givers. Services vary widely in quality. It may take time to find what is needed and match the service provider. This process raises another issue. Ayurveda teaches the remedy must suit the client. It is so important when working with the elderly that they are asked what they want but also helped to be realistic about their needs. Many doctors feel it is best whenever possible to keep the elderly in the familiar surrounds of their own home. Every situation is different so options must be discussed. Unwelcome help will never create the desired result.
When it comes to the availability of appropriate medicine the greatest debate might be over what indeed is appropriate. Here again children have to be patient and respectful of parent’s wishes. It helps to keep in mind the fourth leg on that chair that part of the power of the cure is the confidence the client has in the medicine. Sadly finances come into to play here in many parts of the world. But, when a whole family is at peace with the care being given the rest of the world can say what it will. Getting to this place of peace may take a bit of effort but it is so worth having no regrets.
