Mom-of-4 sees old neighbor struggling to clear snow — ensures he doesn’t have to worry about it again

In a world where the elderly suffer the consequences of loneliness and an empty nest, we must do as much as we can to help them feel comfortable. Many people in this age bracket wind up shouldering responsibilities for groceries, cleaning, cooking, health care, paying bills, and more. While some of them do it with an unwavering character, without indicating any need for help, a supporting hand could significantly lighten their burdens. CBS Detroit shared a video on their Instagram (@cbsdetroit), where an elderly man is seen shoveling snow off his driveway. A woman whose kids were frantically turning the house upside down, just so happened to catch a glimpse of this sorry sight out of her window.

The video reported, "Last week, a Macomb County woman noticed her neighbor sitting in a folding chair while trying to clear snow from his driveway.” Explaining that she couldn't leave her kids alone, the lady called on others to help the old neighbor out. “Who’s crying right now? If I didn’t have four kids with me... I'd literally go shovel the snow for this guy.” In an update, the lady shared that several people showed up to take the old man off duty, assuring viewers that she and her husband would be the protectors of his driveway for the rest of the winter season. This is a classic example of neighbors helping each other in times of need, but what makes this particular story more special is the respect and love towards the elderly, especially those who live by themselves.

According to an article on the website of Downers Grove Rehab and Nursing, "Globally, approximately 16% of adults aged 60 and older live alone. This figure highlights a stark contrast with the U.S., where about 27% of seniors are solo residents. In certain European countries, this percentage is even higher, reaching about 28%." It adds that the scenario is slightly different in developing countries: "38% of senior citizens live with extended family members in countries like Iraq, Namibia, and India. This is unlike the U.S., where only 6% of seniors live in such arrangements."

A study by Sourav Goswami and others shares, "The 'elderly staying alone' face the problems of lack of family, social, and financial support in their day-to-day life. They cope with these problems by a number of ways." Another research conducted by Columbia Doctors found that apart from social isolation and psychological distress, one of the most hazardous experiences for the elderly is tripping. It reveals. "According to the CDC, about one in four seniors — more than 14 million people — fall each year, causing hip fractures, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries cause 3 million trips to the emergency room every year."

The data, along with the video, go on to show the acute need for community help among seniors. The reporter of the news, @tgi_mrfriday, wrote, “The woman who recorded this video called another neighbor who went there to help. She is also going to pay to have his driveway taken care of for the rest of the winter.” While @richard_chvyhs praised the man by writing, “I give the old guy credit for being too tough to quit.” While people may not outwardly show signs of needing help, simply offering is a good habit to maintain.