How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?

In the Islamic world, one rarely finds “old people’s homes.”
The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of
their lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an opportunity
for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough that we only
pray for our parents, but we should act with limitless compassion,
remembering that when we were helpless children, they preferred
us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored. When Muslim
parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with kindness
and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and
it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express
any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become
difficult.
God has said:
Your Lord has commanded that you worship
none but Him, and that you be kind to
your parents. If one of them or both of them
reach old age with you, do not say to them a
word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a
generous word to them. And act humbly to
them in mercy, and say: “My Lord, have
mercy on them, since they cared for me when
I was small.” (Qur’an, 17:23-24)