Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 74: Currently more and more people respect elders and become convinced that 
older people should live with their families, which is in contrast to the view that older 
people should live at a nursing home. What is your opinion?
 
(value strong ties among family members), ( maintain their ties and sense of belonging) , (a lonesome 
feeling); (in good physical condition), (have a lively mind) (remain contributing members of the 
community), (isolated from mainstream society), (separated from the rest of the community) ;
( do not need to pay for the fee of the nursing homes)
 
( nursing home, retirement home, old people's home, rest home )
( lose their ability to function independently),
(a good form of housing, a wider range of accommodation) (a genuine community feel), ( the chance 
to enjoy the company of their peers),
(more professional staff and better exercise facilities), (improve their quality of life), (keep their 
minds sharp and physical fitness );
(social and leisure activities) (exercise programs), (access to on-site care staff, close-by medical 
assistance) 
The swelling of the aged population is an inescapable trend in many countries. There is 
no point in denying that managing this fundamental social change is an unprecedented 
challenge, such as presenting suitable housing and care options to the elderly people. As to 
whether a nursing home suits the elderly better than their own homes (where they can stay 
with their families), my view is that it is a decision that varies according to personal needs and 
characters. 
It is true that nowadays, many older persons are able to stay active in their old age 
because of medical advances, healthier lifestyles and anti-ageing technologies. It is time that 
people rethought the perceptions of what it means to be old. Many retired people feel the need 
to contribute to the community after a lifetime of service to businesses and their families. 
They love to be involved in all sorts of activities and enjoy being included in groups. 
Considering their desire to maintain their independence and be part of society, if they do not 
have a decent quality of Life, they will feel excluded. For this reason, the retirement home is 
not a preferred option.
Families and friends are the key to a happy old age. Elders can enjoy the company of the 
peers of the same age in a nursing home but meanwhile, suffer a loss of family life. Living 
away from their families, older people are more prone to the feeling of loneliness. The 
lingering stereotype of the average senior citizen as a frail and passive family member should 
be scraped now. Older members are capable of shouldering more family responsibilities 
following their retirement. Their sense of wellbeing is linked to the extent to which they are 
involved in family duties.
Despite the strong preference among the elderly for staying with their families, a nursing 
home functions well to help those who do not have the company of their families. In addition 
to offering the access to social activity and engagement, a nursing home provides professional 
care service to old people, most of whom are not capable of caring and cooking for 
themselves. For those who are taken to hospital frequently for treatment, the rest home is