DEAR ABBY: As a retired nurse, I think someone needs to correct the stereotyping of elderly people as complainers. There is a fine line between complaining and explaining.
The elderly in our society are, generally, people who have been hard workers most of their lives and, in my experience with them, are mostly embarrassed by their limitations. Also, families need to know the health history of their elders.
The next time Mom or Dad or Uncle Charlie seems to be complaining, listen up! You may be hearing something you'll need to know someday. -- BEA HYVARE, R.N., FRIDLEY, MINN.
DEAR BEA: You could be right. However, if a relative complained repeatedly to me about the same ailments, my first response would be: "Does your doctor know how you've been feeling? What did he (or she) have to say about it?"