Last month, the Toronto Star reported that an elderly man lay dying on the side walk of east end Toronto while passers by ignored him. Numerous people expressed outrage at redflagdeals.com discussion forum over the apathy Torontonians displayed. It's no surprise that citizens of urban centres are generally apathetic towards the ignoble. Although The Star did not elaborate on the circumstances that led passers by to ignore the dying man, I'd infer that the man was dressed in homeless-like attire and that the man was not known to the community (even though one neighbour described him as a “nice guy”).
Growing up in a restaurant one block away from an LCBO and the Scott Mission shelter, I've seen my fair share of wretched fellows lying on their back and moaning at passers by. I was a better Samaritan as a child. Everyday, on my way to school (which was behind the Scott Mission shelter) I pitied the individual I saw begging at the nearby CIBC bank or sleeping on the sidewalk. If enough people walked the streets in broad day light, such that I'd feel safe to talk to a stranger, I'd ask the most dejected looking of the homeless bunch if he needed assistance. It turned out that every distress call was phony, and like the villagers in the boy who cried wolf, I stopped caring. Many of these people have issues that are beyond my assistance. Today, I'm unlikely to help a stranger unless I recognize his distress as genuine or unless I can distinguish him from the usual lowly lot.
A senior citizen should be aware of the risks of living alone. If he slips and falls in the shower, no one will help him. If he has a heart attack on his couch, he will have to call the ambulance himself. If he faints shoveling the sidewalk snow, it will take time for a stranger to notice him. Furthermore, family members and caregivers should be aware of consequences of having their senior members live alone.
In the case of the dying man, The Star reported that he had a mental disability and lived alone in his apartment, which makes me ask, “Why isn't this man living with this family? Does this man need a care giver?” It's premature to blame Toronto's lack of good Samaritans without considering the bigger problem maybe that this man's family just doesn't care about him.
its a harsh story, but the reality is 99% of people (probably myself included) would have walked right on by... its impossible to live in the city and not become desensitized.