Letters

Her Inspiring Words

Posted

I gratefully remember and often re-read Anne Buckley’s July 27, 2000 column, “The Last Years of Their Lives,” so concerned with the then-recent Daily News reports about neglect and abuse in nursing homes. She also rightly stressed not only the actual abuses and neglect, but the loneliness often experienced by elder people in our society. I so wish you would re-issue this column which needs the widest possible readership and by Christian leaders. My experience and research finds this neglect remains all too prevalent and unchallenged.

As I recall, one reason Anne Buckley retired was to care for her elderly mother. I hope this caring daughter was given the care she needed in her elderhood. But please consider that the trouble is elders rarely speak out about neglect or abuse, let alone loneliness.

And media only seem to portray elders who are especially well and unusually advantaged. I pray Catholic New York will become the media voice for the many who are not. There is no better way to honor Anne Buckley’s memory.

Bette Dewing
Manhattan
Editor’s Note: Readers who wish to read the column to which Ms. Dewing refers can check cny.org.