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Crossing Chasm

Very sad and strange story about old women in Japan. Maybe there is something for governments dealing with aging populations to learn from this. Free food, medical care and companionship in return for work is what these folks are seeking. That path to there does not need to lead through petty crimes and imprisonment. Maybe the same things could be provided in lieu of free but dignified labor but not involve incarceration. 

For some elderly women, resorting to crime is a path to survival. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports that 20% of people aged over 65 in Japan live in poverty. Theft is the most common crime among elderly prisoners, CNN reported. In 2022, more than  80% of elderly female prisoners nationwide were in jail for stealing, according to the Japanese government.

Reading about old age and loneliness often reminds me of people in my extended family who have lost their spouse and are now trying to go the remaining distance alone with various degrees of success. There seems to be chasm some are able to cross successfully and get to the point where they have a new sense of self separate and apart from being someone's spouse or parent. With this new persona they have discovered so late in life, these folks are able to go out and engage with the world in ways they never did before. From what I have observed, this is what it takes to age successfully while alone. This assumes the existence of financial security without which nothing works - a person can fall off the edge of despair and the women in this story do.

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