Aging

A quick reference with counseling wisdom and biblical insights to help make you more effective at what you do.

We love being a part of your life!

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
President, AACC

Aug 18 – Aug 24

Aging

Action Step

For older persons:

Poor health and the loss of independence are not the inevitable consequences of growing older. To preserve health and independence, older persons should consider the following strategies:

1. Early detection of diseases
• Screening to detect diseases early, when they are most treatable, saves many lives. Older adults should be encouraged to participate in the recommended screenings.
2. Healthy lifestyle
• A healthy lifestyle is more influential than one’s genes in helping older people avoid the decline traditionally associated with aging.
3. Immunizations
• Flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and other important immunizations reduce a person’s risk for hospitalization and death from illness.
4. Preventing injuries
• Falling is the most common cause of injury with older adults. More than one-third of adults 65 and over fall each year, and of those 20–30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, says the CDC. Remove tripping hazards in the home and install grab bars in key areas, like bathrooms. These simple measures will significantly reduce older person’s chance of falling.
5. Programs to help adapt and self-management
• Consider finding programs to teach older Americans self-management techniques. These programs help older adults cope with and manage with the transitions of their later years.

For Caregivers:

1. Rank the need
• Have the caregiver and the elderly person rank needs in order of importance. Begin to brainstorm with the elderly person how those needs can be met with minimal upheaval. Most of the time, the choice is not between living alone or moving to a nursing home. There are dozens of options in between, including:
• Non-medical home care for cleaning, meals, or home maintenance
• Meals on Wheels and similar programs for delivery of meals
• Help at home during key hours for things like bathing and dressing
• Adult daycare during daytime hours for those who have family members with them at other times
• Seniors housing complexes (apartment complexes with some extra supports available that are offered at a lower price for needy older folk)
• Shared housing with a younger person (who is not a family member)
• Retirement home living (that oft en relieves an older person of loneliness or the need to make meals, maintain a home, and so on)
• Catered/sheltered care or assisted living (situations that provide meals, some medication reminders, transportation to stores, and other support services)
• Care in a private group home (where 2–6 older people might be cared for by a couple who make care-giving their full-time job)
• Skilled nursing care
2. Consider the Effects
• Consider the effect of any changes in lifestyle on all family members, not just the older one. A change in location, for example, will not just affect the older person but also any family members who are going to be involved.
• Attempt to keep upheaval to a minimum, especially if family life for caregivers is already tense or demanding. (Adding a family member requiring 24-hour care to a household with teenagers or a special-needs child, for example, might not be the best idea.)
3. Consider All Options
• Enumerate all the options and then give all of them much prayerful consideration.
• Enlist several people—both in and outside the family—to pray about the possibilities.

Biblical Insights

God’s laws include prohibitions against disrespecting the elderly. The “gray headed” and the “old man” are to be treated with honor and respect.

The Bible commands respect for one’s elders, who have much to teach from their vast experience.

Our generation tends to emphasize the importance of youth, but God uses servants of all ages.

Age does not limit God’s ability to work through people. As long as we have breath, we should be serving God.

The Bible identifies the key to Caleb’s lifelong health, vitality, and special favor with God. He “wholly followed the Lord” (Joshua 14:8).

Caleb is a wonderful model for the proposition that a faithful life—one that perseveres through every trial and hardship—is rewarded with blessings in old age.

People’s lifetimes are but a small measure in the hand of God; it is “as nothing” to Him, like a raindrop in the ocean.

One of the great challenges of aging is to understand that, while time is passing, God is working through us to make a difference in the world.

No matter what our age, we must use our time wisely, fully, actively, and selflessly, giving thanks for each new day and seeking how God would have us serve Him.

Older people oft en feel that because they lack their youthful vigor, they cannot effectively serve God. God says, however, that His people “shall still bear fruit in old age” (Psalm 92:14).

Older believers have a lifetime of wisdom and experience that is valuable to
younger people. Believers can and should continue to grow spiritually even in their twilight time. They can continue to make a difference for God, helping build His kingdom.

Young people must not dismiss older people; instead, they should look to their elders for the godly wisdom they have from years of knowing Christ.