Azra Hasanbegovic

During our first 16 years in Vejle we lived next door to my parents. They lived in Skolegade 2 and we lived in number 4. In Bosnia there is a tradition of great care for the family across generations. As long as I live, my children will always be my children, and my parents will always be my parents.
My parents' biggest fear was ending up in a care home. I went with them a couple of times when they visited a Bosnian acquaintance whose wife had passed away and who no longer had anyone to take care of him. Both times my mother cried her eyes out.

At the end of 2017, my parents moved back to Bosnia, to the town my younger brother lives in. They are old now and would like to be buried in Bosnia, and they know that it is not free if they die in Denmark. If they had stayed, they would probably have moved in with us, into the lower floor of our home, where there is a small kitchen and toilet. When they didn't want to, I would never let my parents move into a care home - but I'm also from different generation.

It would not frighten me to live in a care home. I just need to have pictures of my family on the wall, and of the grandchildren I hope to have when the time comes. My husband and I are still working, and we pay our taxes so we deserve that we can go into a care home if eventually needed. If our kids visit us, that's fine. But the only thing I expect is that they think of us and send us lots of love - and that may even be online.

Azra Hasanbegovic / 60 / female / married / children / own consultancy company, and member of the town council / from