In some countries family and friends who care for the elderly do not find time to look after them. What are the reasons and solutions?

Brief Overview of Problem Solution Essays
In problem solution essay – an issue is given. This is usually followed by two parts for the student. The two parts may be any two of the three.
1) Reasons
2) Effects
3) Solutions

So, the examiner can ask
1) Reasons and Solutions (Most common)
2) Reasons and Effects
3) Effects and Solutions

So please read the question properly and address what is asked.
In this question – reasons and solutions are asked.

Writing the introduction – 2 Sentences

Sentence 1: Background Statement – Paraphrasing the question to the best of one’s abilities.
In some countries family and friends who care for the elderly do not find time to look after them. What are the reasons and solutions?
Note: Try to change the structure of the sentence but if not possible try to make a few changes and write it.
It is a sad reality that in some parts of the world, close friends and even family members are facing difficulty in finding time to look after the older members.
Sentence 2: Mentioning what has been asked in the question in a formal way.
There are many reasons for this situation and steps are needed to ensure that people in their last years are taken care of and loved.

Full Introduction
It is a sad reality that in some parts of the world, close friends and even family members are facing difficulty in finding time to look after the older members. There are many reasons for this situation and steps are needed to ensure that people in their last years are taken care of and loved.

Writing the Body Paragraphs

We will make 3 body paragraphs
Either make 2 paragraphs for reasons and 1 for solutions.
Or
Make 1 paragraph for reasons and 2 paragraphs for solutions.

Note: You can also make 2 body paragraphs, with one paragraph for a solution and 1 for reasons or even 4 body paragraphs with 2 paragraphs for reasons and 2 for solutions. However, I find the 3 body paragraphs approach easier for students.

Before writing your body paragraphs, make a list of your points.
Reasons
1) People are busy – hectic lifestyle, long working hours. Have to tend to their jobs, children, and other responsibilities besides their caregiving role.
2) Increasing life expectancy- people are living longer and youngsters have to take care of the older people for a longer time. Increasing life expectancy has also meant that sometimes the young generation has to take care of not one but two generations.
3) Changes in demographics also mean there are less people to take care of older parents than before.
Solutions
1) Wherever possible use of technology to enable people to work from home. Devote some more time to taking care of their aging parents.
2) Hiring a caregiver, for a certain time period to decrease the burden.
3) Teach the elderly how to use modern technology to stay connected with family and friends, even when they are busy. Older members can also use the technology to reduce their dependency on the young.
4) Elderly need to be more accommodating.

Body Paragraph 1 – Reasons
Body Paragraph 2&3 – Solutions

Body Paragraph1:
Step 1: Make a sentence to tell the examiner that in this paragraph you will discuss the reasons. (Sentence 3)
Don’t directly start with Firstly, reason
Step 2: Write the reasons and their explanation (Sentence 4,5,6,7)
Step 3: Use connectors between different reasons.

There are two main reasons for the increasing challenges faced by people in taking care of the elderly. Firstly, today most people have a hectic schedule and besides their caregiver duties, they also have to tend to their children, their jobs, and other responsibilities. The second reason is that the longer life expectancy means that in some families, young people have to take care of two old generations in place of one. Finally, changes in demographics also mean there are less people to take care of older parents than before. (Sentence 3,4,5,6,7)

Connectors used for listing points:
1) Firstly,
2) The second reason is that
3) Finally,

Body Paragraph 2 + 3:
Step 1: Make a sentence to tell the examiner that in this paragraph you will discuss the solutions. (Sentence 8)
Step 2: Write the solutions and their explanation (Sentence 9,10 – BP 2) (11,12,13,14 – BP3)
Step 3: Use connectors between different solutions – Don’t use the same connectors as reasons paragraph

There are certain steps that people can take to strike a balance between their care-giving role and other responsibilities. To begin with, whenever possible, people can take the work from home option, so that they can spend some extra time with the elder members. If this is not possible, they can hire caregivers for certain hours since caregivers can not only help with the health and exercise needs of the elderly but also keep the old people lively by providing them someone to talk to. (Sentences 8,9,10)

In addition, the young members of the family can familiarize the elderly with technology, so that the elder members can stay connected with them, even when they are busy. Technology can also help reduce the dependence on the young. For example, if the old people have mobility issues, they can order things online instead of asking the young members to get them the items. Last but not least, the elderly need to be accommodating and must be willing to make certain changes, especially when it comes to their health. (Sentences 11,12,13,14)

Connectors used for listing points:
1) To begin with
2) In addition
3) Also
4) Last but not least

Conclusion

Step1: Just repeat what you answered – without going into specifics.

In conclusion, there are various causes why the young generation is finding it challenging to take care of the elderly, but with certain measures, this issue can be addressed.

The whole essay

It is a sad reality that in some parts of the world, close friends and even family members are facing difficulty in finding time to look after the older members. There are many reasons for this situation and steps are needed to ensure that people in their last years are taken care of and loved.

There are two main reasons for the increasing challenges faced by people in taking care of the elderly. Firstly, today most people have a hectic schedule and besides their caregiver duties, they also have to tend to their children, their jobs, and other responsibilities. The second reason is that the longer life expectancy means that in some families, young people have to take care of two old generations in place of one. Finally, changes in demographics also mean there are less people to take care of older parents than before.

However, there are also steps that can be taken to address this situation. To begin with, whenever possible, people can take the work from home option, so that they can spend some extra time with the elder members. If this is not possible, they can hire caregivers for certain hours since caregivers can not only help with the health and exercise needs of the elderly but also keep the old people lively by providing them someone to talk to.

In addition, the young members of the family can familiarize the elderly with technology, so that the elder members can stay connected with them, even when they are busy. Technology can also help reduce the dependency on the young. For example, if the old people have mobility issues, they can order things online instead of asking the young members to get them the items. Last but not least, the elderly need to be accommodating and must be willing to make certain changes, especially when it comes to their health.

In conclusion, there are various causes why the young generation is finding it challenging to take care of the elderly, but with certain measures, this issue can be addressed.