Indeed, it would seem that our departure from the extended family, and acceptance of the nuclear family, has resulted in the elderly becoming more of a burden than a valuable cultural resource. With many families opting to place individuals in care facilities where they can be kept conveniently out of the way, often not even remotely offered the care in adulthood they provided their progeny in infancy. In short "you gotta stay young and useful or we'll put ya in a home!"