Elders and babies

I spoke to Trudy today to ask her to check on mom from time to time and see if she remembers to eat supper. It's a relief to know that I have a backup and I can go out of town without worrying about mom. When I spoke to her this morning she said that she didn't think that her doctor listens to her. I suspect that mom doesn't understand much of what the doctor tells her and even if she asks a question she can't understand the doctor's answer. So how does one live a contributive life when one is losing the ability to communicate? How can an ancient elder find self-worth, or satisfaction in our fragmented society where our children have spread out to all corners of the globe, and multiple generations don't live under one roof or even in the same community or state? I think for those elders who want to live a contributive life, the answer lies within our communitities in our day care centers and office buildings where elders and children can mingle together and contribute to each other's wellbeing. Now I understand that we wouldn't want our elders to cbe responsible for caring for children, picking them up, changing their diapers, and catching their illnesses. But someone could rock a cradle, walk with a toddler to the story table, or play catch with a little person, or even just watch the babies sleep. They would feel useful and the children would have lots of grandmas and grampas to love them. Now I'm not talking about the Jerry Sandusky type of love. There would be people around and no one would be taken to a dark room or empty shower room to "horse around." This would be healthy, wholesome activities that would benefit everyone. Maybe this isn't feasible in this litigious society. The helicopter parents would have to monitor their children from a babycam from work. But with security systems in place, it would be an ideal place for young people and old people.