Thanh Thuy, 47, currently living and working in France, wrote on her social media page, "A few days ago, I saw a video of a friend cooking porridge for their sick mother, and it made me miss my parents so much. Living far away, I can't directly care for their health, so I often worry, afraid they might have problems without telling their children".
Her parents have hidden illnesses from her several times. Able to visit only once a year, she relies on her brother and sister-in-law for their daily care. Knowing her parents both have high blood sugar, she researched various brands and chose specialized nutrition that helps manage blood sugar and is clinically proven effective for long-term use.
"Even though I'm not there, knowing they're maintaining a suitable diet gives me peace of mind. I'm planning to visit them at the end of the year," Thuy shared.
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Those who live far from home often worry about their parents' health. Photo: Pexels |
Those who live far from home often worry about their parents' health. Photo: Pexels
Ngoc Quang, 39, works in southern Vietnam while his parents live in the north. He shared, "My parents often downplay their illnesses, afraid I'll worry and it will affect my work. They say it's nothing serious, but I'm always anxious." He often sends them articles with doctors' advice on elderly care. Unable to be with them, he and his wife order supplemental nutritional drinks from reputable online stores to help boost their parents' health.
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Being close and hugging parents tightly is a joy for children. Photo: Fit Ztudio |
Being close and hugging parents tightly is a joy for children. Photo: Fit Ztudio
One of the biggest concerns for those living far from home is their parents' health, especially after age 65. According to the Ministry of Health's portal, the average Vietnamese person lives with illness for 10 years, and the average senior citizen in Vietnam has 3 to 4 illnesses. Vietnamese people have a relatively high life expectancy compared to countries with similar living standards, but they also have a higher number of years living with illness.
Age brings with it various ailments. Seniors need to prioritize their health for a more fulfilling aging process. The care and attention of their children is also a "spiritual medicine" that strengthens their resilience. Children living far away, like Thuy and Quang, unable to provide direct care for their aging parents, rely on family members and convenient nutritional supplements to fulfill their filial duty.
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Nutritional products help children living far away care for their parents' health. Photo: Abbott |
Nutritional products help children living far away care for their parents' health. Photo: Abbott
Even from afar, each child has their own way of showing care and affection for their parents, especially with Vu Lan season approaching. Thuy shared that her must-do during Vu Lan is to call her parents with her husband and children to wish them good health. For Quang, Vu Lan is a special time to reflect on childhood memories: the mischievous moments that worried his parents, and the times of failure when they comforted him. He feels fortunate to have parents who always support him.
Kim Anh
