(IFER)
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(Suggested By- Zahid Jamil)
There is increasing debate on how to look after our parents when they become old and fragile. Islam ordains children to look after their old parents clearly in many Quranic verses and hadiths. However a stage comes when the aged need specialized care due to illnesses such as dementia. In nursing homes, the staff is trained to look after people suffering from various disabilities and are thus able to provide the medical care needed for such elderly. If such elderly are kept at home, children are unable to understand, address and meet their needs which increases suffering of the elderly as well as create huge burden on the families. In modern environment, usually both husband and wife work to meet ever increasing costs due to private education and other life needs. Thus parents are left home alone throughout the day. By sending such parents to elderly homes and nursing homes, elderly are able to spend time with people of their age. Children have to bear expenses for providing such care to their parents and thus while they may be freeing up themselves from physical service, they have provide financially for their care.
There is strong stigma amongst Muslims against elderly homes and nursing homes. This paper will analyse under what circumstances, elderly homes and nursing homes are permitted without violating the Islamic ethics.