WELCOME
PASTORAL
PERSPECTIVES
ON AGING
Dr. Fr. C.M. Joseph Cherukunnel SDB
Pastoral Aspects of Aging
Old Age
Bible speaks on Aging
Beatitudes of Aging
Spirituality of Aging
Pastoral care of the aged
Old Age
Old age also has been divided
into three stages:
young-old (65-74 years),
old-old (75-84 years)
and oldest-old (85 years ff).
AGING
Aging is a
process of
gradual
maturation
OLD AGE
Positive components of old age
•
Increased wisdom
•
Experience
• Expertise.
Negative component of old age - Decline
CHANGES IN OLD AGE
• Those that result from aging itself
• Those that result from diseases, life style.
CAUSES FOR GROWTH OF ELDERLY
PEOPLE
• Decrease in the birth rate
during the past 25 years
• Improved sanitation
and nutrition
• Effective control of
infectious diseases
Old Age
It is predicted that by
2033 there will be a 50%
increase in the number of
old people .
Old Age
Living longer brings with it
possibilities of enhanced health,
happiness and productivity but
also increasing frailty, chronic
illness and diseases of older age
such as dementia, diabetes and
heart disease.
Old Age
Theories of aging.
The Developmental Theory of aging, begins at
birth, then childhood, school years, teenage years,
work/professional years, adult years of
vocation/life choice (single, married, religious,
priest/brother), retirement/elder years, and from
there to death. In this theory, the developmental
tasks of each period in one’s life is negotiated.
Old Age
Theories of aging.
The Activity Theory, as it connotes,
is staying active with one’s familiar
ways of doing as long as it is
possible.
Old Age
Theories of aging.
The Wear and Tear Theory
postulates that one’s body
wears out with stress and living.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
1.Old age may be the fruit of a moral
life and an indication of God’s favor.
2.Old age is a general part of
God’s purpose for a normal life.
3. Old age may be a reward for those
who honour their parents.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
4. Characteristics of old age.
• Wisdom is an attribute of the
•
•
aged who depend upon God.
Wise counsel to the younger is a
duty of the aged.
The aged have continuing
moral responsibilities.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
5. Resources for the aged.
• God has promised his abiding presence.
• God gives strength to endure suffering
and infirmity.
• God gives deliverance from the fear of death.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
1. Old age may be the fruit of a moral
life and an indication of God’s favor.
“Follow the whole instruction the Lord
your God has commanded you, so that
you may live, prosper, and have a long
life in the land you will possess”
(Deuteronomy 5:33).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
2. Old age is a general part of
God’s purpose for a normal life.
“He took his last breath and died
at a ripe old age, old and
contented, and he was gathered to
his people” (Genesis 25:8).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
1
“David son of Jesse… died at a good old
age, full of days, riches, and honor…”
(1 Chronicles 29:26, 28).
“Then Job died, old and full of days”
(Job 42:17).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
3. Old age may be a reward for those
who honor their parents.
“Honor your father and your mother
so that you may have a long life in
the land that the Lord your God is
giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“Children, obey your parents in the
Lord, because this is right. Honour
your father and mother—which is
the first commandment with a
promise—that it may go well with
you and that you may have a long
life in the land” (Ephesians 6:1).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“If you walk in my ways and keep my
statutes and commandments just as
your father David did, I will give you a
long life” (1 Kings 3:14).
“Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is
found in the way of righteousness”
(Proverbs 16:31).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
Characteristics of Old Age
In the Bible, the aged are
perceived as resourceful people
with valuable gifts to share for
the good of everyone.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
1. Wisdom is an attribute of the
aged who depend upon God.
“Happy is a man who finds wisdom and
who acquires understanding… She is more
precious than jewels; nothing you desire
compares with her. Long life is in her right
hand; in her left, riches and honor”
(Proverbs 3:13, 15-16).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom, and the
knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding. For by Wisdom
your days will be many, and
years will be added to your life”
(Proverbs 9:10-11).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
2. Wise counsel to the
younger is a duty of the aged.
“Hear this, you elders; listen, all you
inhabitants of the land. Has anything
like this ever happened in your days or
in the days of your ancestors? Tell your
children about it, and let your children
tell their children, and their children
the next generation” (Joel 1:2-3).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“Remember the days of old;
consider the years long past.
Ask your father, and he will
tell you, ask your elders, and
they will teach you”
(Deuteronomy 32:7).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“In the same way, older women are to
be reverent in behavior, not slanderers,
not addicted to much wine. They are to
teach what is good, so that they may
encourage the young women to love
their husbands and children, to be
sensible, pure, good homemakers, and
submissive to their husbands, so that
God’s message will not be slandered”
(Titus 2:3-5).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
3. The aged have continuing
moral responsibilities.
“Older men are to be self-controlled,
worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in
faith, love, and endurance. In the same way,
older women are to be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to much wine.
They are to teach what is good”
(Titus 2:2-3).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
Resources for the Aged
Numerous problems—economic,
physical, mental, and spiritual—
confront the aged.
Resources for meeting these
problems are set forth in the
Bible.
The Bible Speaks on Aging
1. God has promised His abiding presence.
“Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant
of the house of Israel, who have been
sustained from the womb, carried along since
birth. I will be the same until your old age, and
I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have
made you and I will carry you; I will bear and
save you” (Isaiah 46:3-4).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
2. God gives strength to endure suffering
and infirmity.
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same resolve—because
the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with
sin—in order to live the remaining time in the flesh,
no longer for human desires, but for God’s will”
(1 Peter 4:1-2).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and I am completing in my flesh what is
lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body,
that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24).
“So those who suffer according to God’s
will should, in doing good, entrust
themselves to a faithful Creator”
(1 Peter 4:19).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
3. God gives deliverance from the fear of
death.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor
life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height,
nor depth, nor any other created thing will
have the power to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
(Romans 8:38-39).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“…Look! God’s dwelling is with men,
and He will live with them. They will be
His people, and God Himself will be with
them and be their God. He will wipe
away every tear from their eyes. Death
will exist no longer; grief, crying, and
pain will exist no longer, because the
previous things have passed away”
(Revelation 21:3-4).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
“Now when this corruptible is clothed with
incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed
with immortality, then the saying that is
written will take place: Death has been
swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is
your victory? O Death, where is your sting?
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power
of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
The Bible Speaks on Aging
In the Bible, old age is considered the
positive and good fulfillment of a life
devoted to God. Both the blessings and
responsibilities of aging are to be
accepted with gratitude and in a sense of
stewardship, “For God has not given us a
spirit of fearfulness, but one of power,
love, and sound judgment”
(2 Timothy 1:7).
Beatitudes for Aging
Blessed are they who understand
my faltering steps and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who know my ears
today
must strain to catch the words they say.
Beatitudes for Aging
Blessed are they who see that my
eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
Blessed are they who looked away
when I spilt my cup of tea today.
Beatitudes for Aging
Blessed are they with a cherry smile
who stop to chat for a little while.
Blessed are they who never say,
"You've told that story twice today."
Beatitudes for Aging
Blessed are they who know the ways
to bring back memories of yesterdays.
Blessed are they who make it known
that I'm loved, respected and not alone.
Beatitudes for Aging
Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss
to find the strength to carry my cross.
Blessed are they who ease the days
on my journey Home in loving ways.
Spirituality of Aging
Aging is a journey
which includes a
spiritual dimension
Spirituality of Aging
The spiritual dimension focuses
on meaning of life, hope and
purpose, explored through
relationships with others, with
the natural world and with the
transcendent.
Spirituality of Aging
The evidence base suggests that
genuine and intentional
accompaniment of people on their
aging journey; giving time,
presence and listening are the core
of good spiritual practice.
Spirituality of Aging
The evidence base suggests that
genuine and intentional
accompaniment of people on their
aging journey; giving time,
presence and listening are the core
of good spiritual practice
Spirituality of Aging
Reminiscence, life story,
creative activities and
meaningful rituals all help
the process of coming to
terms with aging and change.
Spirituality of Aging
Focusing on the spiritual care of
older people is one of the ways
in which person-centred care
can be achieved.
(Coleman, 2011; Nolan, 2012).
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality as part of a religious
belief: A particular spirituality is a
specific system, or schema of
beliefs, virtues, ideals and
principles which form a particular
way to approach God, and
therefore, all life in general.
(Franciscan spirituality).
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality as a secular concept:
Spiritualty includes ideas, practices
and commitments that nurture,
sustain and shape the fabric of
human lives, whether as
individuals or communities.
(King, 2011)
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality as a search for meaning with or
without God: Spirituality recognises the
human need for ultimate meaning in life,
whether this is fulfilled through a
relationship with God or some sense of
another, or whether some other sense of
meaning becomes the guiding force within
the individual's life. Human spirituality can
also involve relationships with other people..
Spirituality of Aging
'Spirituality encompasses wide ranging attitudes
and practices which focus on the search for
meaning in human lives, particularly in terms of
relationships, values and the arts. It is concerned
with quality of life, especially in areas that have not
been closed off by technology and science.
Spirituality may, or may not, be open to ideas of
transcendence and to the possibility of the divine'
(Ferguson, 2011)
Spirituality of Aging
The contemporary use of the word
'spirituality': Spirituality refers to the
deepest values and meanings by which
people seek to live… it implies some kind
of vision of the human spirit and of what
will assist it to achieve full potential.
(Sheldrake, 2007).
Spirituality of Aging
The theoretical basis for research on
spirituality and aging
Research into aging and spirituality is
based on assumptions of aging as a
journey, as a search for meaning,
balance, integration and reconciliation.
(Mowat, 2004).
Spirituality of Aging
There are a number of key theorists who
have influenced those looking for a
theory of aging and spirituality. These
theorists do not directly associate the
search for meaning with spirituality;
their work has been used by others to
build a foundation for particular
understandings of spirituality.
Spirituality of Aging
Victor Frankl (1984) posits man's search for
meaning as a dominant conscious and unconscious
driver. His incarceration in Auschwitz
concentration camp during the second world war
offered him the opportunity to develop his
theories as part of his own survival strategy. His
very powerful ideas of the capacity of man to be
stripped of all the 'trappings' of life and to still find
ultimate meaning underpins much of the work
subsequently produced on aging and spirituality.
(Kimble, 2000; Mackinlay, 2001).
Spirituality of Aging
Erik and Joan Erikson (1997) theorised stages
of life. In each stage, the individual tries to
achieve balance between two 'states' with
associated virtues. In the later part of life, the
balance to be struck is between integration
and despair, and the virtue attached to this is
wisdom (Capps, 2008).
The idea of journey and progression is built
into this theory.
Spirituality of Aging
Carl Jung (1960) was particularly interested
in the second half of life and the importance
of life review to find meaning. He wrote:
'one cannot live the afternoon of life
according to the program of life's morning:
for what was great in the morning will be of
little importance in the evening, and what in
the morning was true will at evening have
become a lie' (Jung, 1970).
Spirituality of Aging
Antonovsky (1987) was interested in what
psychological processes allow people to maintain
themselves in a state of good health. His work on a
sense of coherence develops a model and an
empirically validated questionnaire which provides
clinicians with a tool by which to assess a sense of
coherence. A strong sense of internal coherence
helps support good health. The work on spirituality
and aging is multidisciplinary, offering fact-based
opinion, empirically based research, theory
building and philosophical insights.
Spirituality of Aging
Koenig (1994) identified 14
spiritual needs of older people
based on prior research both at a
theoretical and empirical level..
Spirituality of Aging
Need for support in dealing with loss
Need to transcend circumstances
Need to be forgiven and to forgive
Need to find meaning, purpose and hope
Spirituality of Aging
Need to love and serve others
Need for unconditional love
Need to feel that God is on their side
Spirituality of Aging
Need to be thankful
Need to prepare for death and dying
Need for continuity
Need for validation and support of
religious behaviours
Spirituality of Aging
Need to engage in religious
behaviours
Need for personal dignity and sense
of worthiness
Need to express anger and doubt
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality, although a
contested concept, is evolving
and developing and can be
defined as a search for meaning
with or without religious
adherence.
Spirituality of Aging
Person-centred care involves:
spiritual care – the time,
attention and listening to
support individuals to find
meaning and purpose in their
lives.
Spirituality of Aging
It has been established that there
are a range of activities and
practices which can support
dimensions of spiritual care.
Spirituality of Aging
There is evidence that as people
become older, spiritual concerns
become more important to them.
(Atchley, ‘Spirituality and Aging’)
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality expresses itself in a
variety of ways :
• An inner resource that drives and motivates a
person and a deep longing for fulfillment.
• People’s health and well being;
transcendence of self.
• Relationships with people and with the
world around: a sense of belonging.
Spirituality of Aging
Love, compassion, patience, tolerance,
forgiveness, contentment, a sense of
responsibility, a sense of harmony which
brings
happiness to both self and others;
sometimes support for global issues such as
human rights, justice, peace and care for
creation.
Spirituality of Aging
• A reaching out towards a mystery which is
outside human control.
• Meaning and purpose, belief and hope or
ideals; people’s future and destiny.
• A way of coping with losses, challenges
and death.
Spirituality of Aging
Aging is a spiritual journey,
reflects our core belief that
spirituality is the essential
piece of every person’s aging
process.
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality is the aspect of
humanity that refers to the way
individuals seek and express
meaning and purpose and the way
they experience their
connectedness to the moment, to
self, to others, to nature and to the
significant or sacred.
Spirituality of Aging
Spirituality is about life -- the fullness
of life promised by Jesus. A spirituality
of aging focuses in on the aging
process itself as the ordinary human
process that God uses to bring us to
God. Spirituality fills "all this unused
life that we carry about." Spirituality is
the environment for wholeness.
Spirituality of Aging
Spiritual practices tend to improve
coping skills and social support,
foster feelings of optimism and hope,
promote healthy behavior, reduce
feelings of depression and anxiety,
and encourage a sense of relaxation.
Spirituality of Aging
Qualities like faith, hope, and
forgiveness, and the use of
social support and prayer seem
to have a noticeable effect on
health and healing..
Spirituality of Aging
Researchers found three factors
that reliably increase happiness as
we grow older -- gratitude,
generosity and reframing.
(seeing one’s situation from a more
positive perspective)
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Different models of caring
Home Care with paid nurse/ staff
Palliative care centres
Hospice
Home for the Aged
Charitable Homes
Assisted Living centres
• Senior citizen’s colony
• Day care centres
• New Model
•
•
•
•
PROBLEMS OF THE AGED
• Problem due to aging process
•
Problem associated
with long term illness
•
Psychological problems
•
Social problems
•
Spiritual problems
THE DISABILITY
• The disability statistics
shows 50% of the
people above
65 years have
some kind of
disability
CAUSES OF DEATH
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic lung disease
• Cancer
• Stroke
PALLIATIVE CARE
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is an
approach that improves the quality of life of patients
and their families facing the problem associated with
life-threatening illness, through the prevention and
relief of suffering by means of early identification
and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain
and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual
problems (WHO, 2005).
HOSPICE
“Hospice care is a compassionate method of caring for
terminally ill people. Hospice is a medically directed,
interdisciplinary team-managed program of services
that focuses on the patient/family as the unit of
care. Hospice care is palliative rather than curative,
with an emphasis on pain and symptom control, so
that a person may live the last days of life fully, with
dignity and comfort, at home or in a home-like
setting”.
(National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization)
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Society has a moral
responsibility to care for its
aging members. Christians are
to be especially sensitive to the
needs of the aged and active in
ministries to them.
Pastoral Care for the Aged
The aging population
requires person-centred care
and developmental support
in order to maximise its
chances of aging well.
Pastoral Care for the Aged
The Bible speaks
1. The aged deserve kindness and
respect.
2. Families have an obligation to
provide for their aged members.
3. Churches
have
special
responsibilities for the aged.
Pastoral Care for the Aged
1. The aged deserve kindness
and respect.
“Do not rebuke an older man, but
exhort him as a father, younger men as
brothers, older women as mothers,
and with all propriety…”
(1 Timothy 5:1-2).
Pastoral Care for the Aged
“You are to rise in the presence of the elderly
and honor the old… I am the Lord”
(Leviticus 19:32).
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and
don’t despise your mother when she is old”
(Proverbs 23:22).
Pastoral Care for the Aged
2. Families have an obligation to
provide for their aged members.
“Now if anyone does not provide for
his own relatives, and especially for his
household, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever”
(1 Timothy 5:8).
Pastoral Care for the Aged
3. Churches have special
responsibilities for the aged.
“If any believing woman has
widows, she should help them, and
the church should not be
burdened, so that it can help those
who are genuinely widows”
(1 Timothy 5:16).
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model for Parish
(Fr. Joseph Pampara, Old age – a Golden period, 2002)
Unit / Ward committee
Central committee
Service Team
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Unit / Ward committee
•
•
•
•
Identify the elderly in need
Evaluate their situation
Organise routine services
Coordinate with central committee
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Central committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Representatives from units/wards
Representatives from Religious
Nominated members
Executive - Administrator
Coordinates units/wards
Budget & Raise funds
Evaluation
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service Team
•
Physical health care
•
Mental health care
•
Spiritual care
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Physical health care
Nurse
Helpers
Physiotherapists
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Mental health care
Councillors
Social worker
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Spiritual care
Parish Priest
Sisters
Lay volunteers
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service
Those who are independent
Those who are bed ridden
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service
Those independent – Boring at home
Take them to their friends
Facilitate friends to visit them
Take them for prayer meetings,
Church services & celebrations
Organise programmes
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service – Day Care Centre
Facilities for recreation, rest
Medical care
Exercises
Food
Transport
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service - Volunteers
Children
Youth
Mothers’ organsation
Vincent De Paul
Prayer Groups
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Service - Bed ridden
Nurses
Helpers – Bathing, Cleaning
Counsellors
Spiritual care – Priests, Sisters, Lay people
Independent - Together in a home
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Proposed model
Advantages
Christian Love
Live in their home atmosphere
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Saying the “Five Things”
“Please forgive me”;
“I forgive you”;
“Thank you”;
“I love you”;
“Goodbye”
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Tell Me and I Will Forget.
Show Me and I Will
Remember.
Involve Me and I will
Understand.
(David Kolb quoting Confucius)
Pastoral Care for the Aged
“As for old age,
embrace and love it.
It abounds with pleasure
if you know how to use it.
The gradually declining years
are among the sweetest
in a person’s life”. (Seneca)
Pastoral Care for the Aged
“The best classroom
is at the feet of an
elderly person.”
(Andy Rooney)
Pastoral Care for the Aged
Listen to the aged………
For they will tell you about living and
dying.
For they will enlighten you about
problem-solving, sexuality, grief,
sensory deprivation, and survival.
For they will teach you how to be
courageous, loving and generous.
( Irene Burnside, 1975)
In Conclusion
“We need to meet all kinds of people so that
we can find ourselves. Young people need
older people just as older people need young
people in order to become more themselves
and more human. That humanizing process
will teach us that there is a child behind the
mask of each older face, just as there is
already an older person behind the mask of
each young face.” (Missinne, 1990)
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
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