Ask First

I've seen my peers, elders, rudely pushing away young arms that grabbed to help them. I find it sad. The elder who was once as young as the individual taking their their arm or warning them about what to step over, has privacy boundaries as does everyone. Age is not an illness; it's a common human condition in which the body may be breaking down but the mind and psyche of the individual living in that body, remains a fully operational human. Their bodies are theirs, not property for others to latch on to without permission no matter what the motive may be.  Nurses know about these things, and in their work, they always ask first and if necessary, give reasons in assisting elders in their charge.  They have learned that elders require the same kind of respect that everyone else on the planet is entitled to. Elders are equals in life. They are not babies or small children; they are humans whose bodies have reached a point in time that often, but not always, can use a helping hand. It is demeaning to speak down to elders or use "baby talk" at them.  In fact, it can be regarded as an insult. It is simple to just ask politely: "May I be of help to you?". There is no need to rush over and put hands on the elder who, in most cases, enjoys any semblance of independence they can eke out. They may move slowly because that's the way it is when you live inside an elder body. A human person who has been around for decades is naturally going to have complaints to do with pain and lack of mobility or flexibility. It's a simple human fact. The elder often says such as "You'll find out one day!" and that is true. I recall saying such things in my young days when I  waited impatiently for someone old at the checkout counter trying to locate something in her purse or for a slow gentleman who walked at a snail's pace through a doorway with many people delayed behind him. I smile when I think of being the elder myself and not the looker on. Please ask first and a cheery word with a smile doesn't hurt either.