Question:
Answer:
First, it’s important to define our terms well re: this social problem. The Oxford English Living Dictionaries defines “granny dumping” as “the abandonment of an elderly person in a public place such as a hospital or nursing home, especially by a relative who is unable or unwilling to provide or pay for his or her care.”
That definition needs to be clarified, because some relatives may not—for various legitimate reasons—be able to adequately care for an elderly loved one in their home, and so lovingly choose nursing home at which they frequently visit their loved ones, and that would include both a public or private nursing home, depending on their financial means.
So the key word in granny dumping is “abandonment.”
In short, brothers and sisters, close friends, and children, grandchildren and godchildren should collectively do their best to see that an elderly loved one can either stay in their home with assistance, move into a family member’s home or that of a close friend, or move into a nursing home—and then visit them regularly.
Obviously placing a loved one into a nursing home or hospital and never visiting them is clearly reprehensible and sadly reflective of the term “granny dumping.” And it’s a social problem that has become more prevalent in recent decades.
To aid those elderly persons who suffer this wrongdoing, you could get involved with your diocese and/or local parish to visit such individuals at nursing homes or hospitals, and whether the individuals are Catholic or not. Dioceses assign chaplains to serve at hospitals and parish priests visit local nursing homes, including to celebrate Mass and other sacraments.
You could assist such priests by finding out from nursing homes or hospitals those residents who may not have visitors and perhaps spend a little time with them periodically. That would be a very worthwhile lay ministry for a parish to adopt to support the work of their parish priest(s) and live out the corporal work of mercy to visit the sick.