Model Ministries
for Older Adults
Promoting Physical, Mental, Social, and Religious Development
An important model for living a balanced life comes from William A. Danforth's little book I Dare You, first printed in 1931 and now in its 34th printing. Danforth believed in teaching this model of four-fold living, which includes mental, physical, social, and religious aspects. Through his inspirational and motivational writing, teaching, and example, thousands of young people have been introduced to a way of life that can be referred to over and over again across the life span. It is timeless.
There are many ways of introducing models of older adult ministry, and the literature on issues of aging is growing by leaps. I like to use Danforth's model for living a balanced life - individually, corporately, and in community - that we are called to live if we are to be faithful Christians. It provides a simple framework for developing older adult ministry that is meaningful to your circumstances.
Physical: The church has always been a place concerned with health, wholeness, and healing, with the connections of body, mind, and spirit. It is Biblical. It is paramount that we care for ourselves and for those around us. One place to begin is with the physical plant of the church. What are the barriers to participation? Take a tour of the church and make a list of booby-traps….poor lighting, unmarked steps, lack of rails, accessible bathrooms, covered entrance, drafts, extreme heat and cold, hearing, time of meetings and events, steps/rails/ramps…..these are physical barriers to participation.
Exercise programs: Many people who tend to be couch potatoes might benefit greatly from doing an exercise program together. A simple walking program with friends could be offered and led by an enthusiastic person.
Exercise programs with specific purpose: If there are a number of persons experiencing a particular condition such as Parkinsons's, an exercise/support/educational program can be designed to meet their needs. Such programs are often offered first to church members and if successful, opened to the community.
Handy"man" programs: Identify a group willing to make minor repairs/adjustments in the homes of older persons who need assistance. This is a safety issue. Many individuals live alone and need a little help occasionally. As we age or experience limitations at any age, installing rails or ramps can be an important addition to a household. A person's ability to function safely and to remain confident within the home often depend upon safety factors.
Food for Friends: Organize persons willing to make food and match with persons currently in need. Add delivery service, a smile, and a brief visit…..the benefits are endless. Caution: learn about any dietary limitations before making/delivering food.
Mental: Are adults/older adults being challenged to use their minds? To be creative? Take stock of the educational opportunities in church and community. Make suggestions for meaningful, life-long learning; advertise opportunities through church newsletters. It may be that in the later years individuals have the freedom of time and wisdom to take advantage of these opportunities.
Bible Study: Many mature adults may have a lifetime of experience reading and studying the Bible, while others have this opportunity for the first time. Don't make the mistake of assuming everyone has the same background or skill in studying the Good Book. Are there opportunities for the beginner as well as for the seasoned student of the Bible?
Current Events: Older adults are often the first to their newspapers in the morning, and are the best listeners of news programs. They are "in the know." Are there opportunities for studying current events in adult education classes?
Book Clubs: Book clubs are good for mental stimulation as well as social interaction. They can be arranged at any time of the day.
Research: What needs to be researched in the life of the church? Is your church studying the possibility of building a columbarium? Why not put a group of older persons in charge of researching such a project?
Financial Savvy: Many older adults find their income levels change and adjustments to life style need to be made. There's always a financial guru whose help might make a huge difference to a person's level of confidence in handling financial affairs. How about help with taxes? If you hate doing taxes, a group effort might be in order!
Are Your Affairs in Order? This takes much mental/emotional energy. Ask your minister, an attorney, and a physician to lead a seminar in dealing with death and dying issues, ethical challenges, legal protection and planning. This can be done in a very upbeat way that serves to gather the information needed by those who may be placed in a future caregiving role.
Social: Social interaction is important to well-being. We are not intended to be independent, but rather interdependent. This is the community of faith at its best, engaged in corporate worship and fellowship, then serving in the world. This is an area where balance is difficult to achieve and maintain, depending upon a number of factors such as personality type, level of activity, health, and opportunity.
Connectors:
Many people move after retirement, but aren’t comfortable making new friends (been there, done that). Even Seniors have difficulty breaking into established groups. “Connectors” matches new people with current members who have similar interests, for one brunch or lunch at a restaurant. If they hit it off, they can schedule subsequent outings together. If not, well, it was just a few hours spent.
The critical aspect of this informal program is to know the interests of current members, and enlist their enthusiasm for the project. This also is an effective way to pull in people who have resisted participating in other planned activities. Our senior pastor specified that I call upon different current members, rather than the same small group, so we don’t develop a clique. The limited number of occasions, and the “no commitments” aspect, have drawn favorable reactions so far.
I like a 2:1 ratio of current members to new members, to take off the pressure for a “perfect fit”. Sometimes, if I recognize one of the new people is shy, or has a hearing problem, I keep the group smaller. If I’m introducing couples, I invite other couples. If I’m introducing a woman, I invite other women, whatever their marital status.
1) Fellowship Groups
2) Older Adult Camps/Retreats/Travel
3) Presbytery-wide retreats
4) Writer's Workshop - a writing group
5) PGA (Presbyterian Golf Association)
6) Prayers for Caregivers
Older Adult Health Fair
First
Presbyterian Church,
Denise L. Balmer, DCE
Our Older Adult
Health Fair was held in conjunction with our Lenten Lunch Series.
We worked in conjunction with the local Family Cooperative Extension
Office,
The Health Fair
began at
There were three programs, 30 minutes in length, offered throughout the morning. The workshops were: Improving Your Memory, Making Your Home Accessible and Tools, and Nutrition and Older Adults.
The morning concluded with lunch provided by First Presbyterian and a program for spiritual growth by Dr. Bill Guilford.
We advertised through mailings lists and through the local media. A local TV station even sent out a crew. The crew enjoyed themselves so much that they stayed the entire morning and even had lunch. We had all sorts of calls from people who wanted to hae a display.
One of the most visited displays was that of the local public library. We wanted the older adults to become aware of our local resources. The fair was a wonderful adventure and a delightful success. Our goals were met beyond our expectations!
The Shaw Neighborhood Adult Assistance Program
Rebecca Valicoff
The Shaw Neighborhood Adult Assistance Program has been very busy this year. As parish nurse I have been visiting with 36 adults in the community. Last year I began with approximately 11 people. The original plan was to target the older population but have found younger adults have also needed assistance.
Due to the young population in our community, we have found we need to provide programs for the single parent. This has been very rewarding and even though it usually does not involve the older adult, I have made contacts with two grandparents through this program. I have also helped with acquiring medical equipment, job information and referral for mental health and medical resources.
Through the SNAAP Program we began an Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s and Early Stage Alzheimer’s Persons Group. This group has been modeled after the St. Louis Alzheimer’s and Washington University’s “Project Esteem.” This program gives the Alzheimer’s persons an opportunity to share with each other on what it is like to actually have Alzheimer’s Disease. At the same time the caregivers meet to share their experiences. At present we are continuing to build our group and occasionally, we provide educational programs and special speakers.
Our ministry has included housing referral, assisting older adults to move into senior housing as well as linking up food pantry recipients to receive furniture given away during the move. I have also occasionally helped with referrals for housekeeping and lawn care as well as transportation.
Socialization has been provided by our Fifty Plus Group and with our members visiting with the parish nurse. Recently, we surprised one of our homebound members with a surprise 80th birthday party where she got to visit with members she had not seen for a long time. On another occasion, we brought one homebound member to visit another homebound member. Even though they have talked daily for several years, they were very glad to see each other!
Religious: Spiritual development occurs over the life span. Dr. Jane Thibault says that the later years are a time of "radical freedom," a time when individuals can make choices about how they spend their time and energy. The later years offer the opportunity to grow spiritually. Many individuals have shared that the later years were the richest of their lives. There are many ways to approach religious development:
Bible study and discussion (there are some very challenging Bible study programs available)
Study current events or books and relating them to the Christian faith
Studying and reading the Psalms
Retreats/seminars - time away with friends to delve into a particular topic
Intergenerational experiences - sharing your faith w/younger persons through mission opportunities, local projects, or pleasure activities
Learn and practice spiritual disciplines
Visit a monestary
or a religious community in the
A very strong case can be made for growing in the faith. As we are increasingly faced with changes and challenges that come with aging, we are better equipped to deal with them if we have a firm foundation in the Christian faith. If we fill every moment with activity and never learn to be quiet and just BE, we are not leading a balanced life.
Back
to
Congregational Resources