Practical concerns like making the building wheelchair-accessible, offering hearing aids, seat cushions and large-print Bibles and hymn books and providing free transportation to and from Sunday worship and church events are no-brainers, but there are other things that can be done to help seniors feel valued, involved and welcomed.
Seniors often find it difficult to access community services and resources. To help out, set up a table in an easily accessible area with pamphlets, phone numbers and other information that seniors may need. Home care, meal delivery, cleaning services, community activities and health information are just some of the possibilities.
Organize a choir performance or sing-along at a local seniors' home by the Sunday school class. The experience is a great way for children to engage in this ministry and older adults enjoy the younger company.
Mark holidays and special occasions with poinsettia deliveries, cards and birthday treats, and mail church newsletters so they stay informed of what's going on.
Establish a team whose main job is to visit seniors regularly in their homes and in care. If resources don't permit this, partner with other congregations and/or denominations. It's a great way to establish ecumenical relationships while sharing the work load.
Seniors are often unable to sit through a full-length service and may find it difficult to concentrate on a service with a lot of reading and talking (especially if they have symptoms of dementia). To help, hold a mid-week service that is short, music and prayer-based, and followed by a time of hospitality and fellowship. This is a great way to nurture relationships and establish a small, close-knit community, and is another opportunity to partner with nearby congregations if resources are limited.
Young seniors are the largest group of volunteers in Canada. Is the church being a good steward of this resource? Ask seniors what the church can do to help them feel included and validated, and if they are able, approach them with responsibilities not typically given to them. For example, instead of asking them to be Sunday school teachers or cake bakers, ask them to help with the Christmas pageant or food bank, sit on the missions committee, or even to be part of the pastoral care team.
Learn about fun and stimulating things to do when interacting with seniors, especially with those with more advanced dementia. Brian Ducedre, a chaplain at St. Joseph's hospital in Comox, B.C., advises adapting your verbal pastoral presence to a sensory one as abilities decline. Speaking at the Dreambuilder's conference in Calgary last October, he said music therapy, touch, eye contact, olfactory stimulation, prayers and hymns are especially welcomed. "How can we make a person feel well in a body that's not working well?"
Contact the chaplains at local nursing homes and hospitals. Make a connection and let them help guide you in what is needed. Most chaplains will be more than willing to be a part of your efforts.
Seniors are often on the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to public policy. Congregations can act as advocates, raising awareness of seniors' issues and lobbying governments to act on issues such as affordable housing, health care, and availability of services. Knox, Sundridge, Alta. marked its 125th anniversary by partnering with the Alzheimer's Society.
Whatever you choose, be sure to evaluate the program after several months. Determine if it is meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of those targeted, and change things if it is not. – AM
