Elderly come first, not last

Every day, the Little Sisters of the Poor collect money and goods for elderly people. And for 120 years the sisters have taken in people who are unable, or who cannot afford, to care for themselves, giving them a place to stay in their Ponsonby home.
This weekend, the sisters' patron, Jeanne Jugan, will be canonised by Pope Benedict.
Sister Cecilia, who has cared for the elderly at the Ponsonby home for 36 years, says the occasion will highlight the need to care for older people throughout the Auckland community.
"It will help us spread our message about the dignity and respect we should show the
elderly,'' she says. "When Jeanne found an old lady who was blind and ill, she gave the old lady her bed while she slept in the attic, and we try to continue that hospitality. We try to take in anybody who needs help but, generally, they have to be over 60.''
Sister Claire, who has belonged to the religious order for 54 years, says the home had 250 older residents from  Auckland when she began her work.  "They would all help and contribute what they could,'' she says. "The old drunks were most helpful. They would
recover and help peel vegetables or work the gardens, leave, then come back a few months later to recover again. I have fond memories of the old days.''
 
The Little Sisters now have 31 beds for those needing hospital-standard care, 15 self-care units and two studios. They rely heavily on volunteers and benefactors. "We have over 70 regular volunteers and wonderful people who help us every day,'' Sister Claire says. "One older lady came up to me when I was collecting the mail the other day. She looked unkempt and dirty but she gave me a glasses case because she thought we might need it. This is a lady who probably needs these things herself.''
Sister Claire  finds that people can be hesitant about donating to their cause. "People  are very happy to give to children's causes but they don't always like the idea of getting old themselves.''
She hopes the canonisation will encourage the community to think about older people  who might need help.
"A lot of people perceive old age as being an illness, but it's not, it's another part of life. Just because you are old doesn't mean you can't live, and that is exactly what Jeanne believed.''
The Little Sisters of the Poor will celebrate the canonisation of Jeanne Jugan with a Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral on October 31, at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome.