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| Catherine E. Sears, Law Clerk |
The
calendar at my parents’ house is a little unusual. It lists mainstream American
holidays like Labor Day, of course, but it also features selected holidays from
around the world. Because of this, I now know that September 2nd is
Independence Day in Vietnam and that September 24th is Republic Day
in Trinidad & Tobago. With no disrespect meant to the Vietnamese or
Trinidadians, however, the international holiday I found most interesting is
September 18th: Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.
I
had mixed feelings in reflecting on this holiday. Has our society fallen so far
that we really need to designate a day to remind ourselves to respect the
elderly? What happened to the Judeo-Christian commandment to “honor thy father
and thy mother”? On the other hand, though, elder abuse runs rampant, with
perpetrators coming not only from internet or phone scams, but from trusted
caregivers and family members. This abuse can take many forms. There is
physical abuse or neglect, especially in light of increased frailty and the
heightened levels of care that many senior citizens need. Emotional abuse and
undue influence occurs when a person manipulates a senior or isolates him from
the rest of his family, often taking advantage of his diminished judgment or
poor decision-making skills. Financial abuse has become heartbreakingly
widespread, with seniors collectively being scammed out of millions of dollars
each year as perpetrators take advantage of the good credit and sizeable
savings that many elderly individuals have accrued from a lifetime of hard
work. Maybe, then, we need a “Respect for the Aged Day” in the United States
after all.
Being
curious, I researched what exactly “Respect for the Aged Day” entails in
Japanese culture. It sounds delightful. This holiday always falls on the third
Monday of September, giving people a long weekend to spend time with their
families. Consequently, it apparently is a busy travel weekend in Japan, with
younger generations making trips across the country to visit their older
relatives and spend quality time with them. Visits often include going out to
lunch, and many restaurants will let senior citizens eat their favorite meal
for free. Families bring gifts and celebrate as though it were the senior’s
birthday. People who no longer have older family members often volunteer on
this day by providing meals, a comforting visit, or musical entertainment to
the senior community. News stories focus on the accomplishments of seniors, and
the Japanese government bestows a special silver dish on those seniors who have
turned 100 years old within the past year. If the holiday falls in the same
week as the Autumnal Equinox, the celebration is extended and people get even
more time off from work to be with their families, a phenomenon known as
“Silver Week.”
Clearly,
I am not Japanese. I am at work and writing this blog today instead of spending
time with my grandparents in Connecticut and Massachusetts. However, as cheesy
as it sounds, every day truly is “Respect for the Aged Day” at The Peninsula
Center. We strive to break the negative stereotypes about lawyers, focusing
instead on meeting our clients’ unique needs and doing what is genuinely best
for them, not simply what will be the most profitable for us. It may not be as
glamorous as a complimentary lunch and a three-day weekend, but we will continue
to do our part to protect seniors, accomplish their goals, and help them age
with dignity. Happy Respect for the Aged Day!
