Society spends a lot of money taking care of people not contributing to the economy. It is written that the love of money is the root of all evil. When society's only metric for self evaluation is GDP and stock market futures, the spiritual wellbeing is totally neglected. Consider all the elderly loving their children and grandchildren, and providing psychological anchors through the generations. And even if they are forgotten in some care home, they are a blessing to those who provide them practical service on a professional or volunteer basis.
Let us not forget they can be a powerhouse for prayer as well, but that is one of the reasons they are targeted. Because everyone else is being distracted by the world and are not praying effectively, all according to plan.
I try to be independent and not a burden to others, but picture a life where no one needs you, and you need no one. It is not a life at all.