Download - A Christian response to Ageing and Mortality
A Christian response to Ageing and Mortality
Medical and Biblical Reflections
Overview
• The Pathology of Ageing – the world’s perspective
• The Potential of Ageing – God’s perspective
• Preparation for Ageing – the Church’s perspective
Growing Older
The World’s perspective
The World’s PerspectiveCriteria for defining ‘Old’
• Chronological age
• Change in social role
• Change in capabilities
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/index.html
The World’s PerspectiveCriteria for old age
Chronological Age (arbitrary)UK – 60/65ySub Saharan Africa – 50y
Social Role (culturally dependent)Unable to contribute financiallyPost retirement – men /women?Cultural factors – privileges of age
Change in capabilities (variable)Loss of mobilityLoss of independent thinkingDependence on others
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/index.html
The World’s PerspectiveUK Statistics
• Over the period 1985-2010 the number of people aged 65 and over in the UK increased by 20 per cent to 10.3 million
• In 2010, 17 per cent of the population were aged 65 and over.
• The number of people aged 85 and over more than doubled over the same period to 1.4 million and the percentage aged under 16 fell from 21 per cent to 19 per cent.
The World’s PerspectivePopulation age structure
1985 - 2035
The UK PerspectiveStatistics
• By 2035 the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to be almost 2.5 times larger than in 2010, reaching 3.5 million and accounting for 5 per cent of the total population.
• The population aged 65 and over will account for 23 per cent of the total population in 2035, while the proportion of the population aged between 16 and 64 is due to fall from 65 per cent to 59 per cent.
UK Statistics
• 3.8 million older people live alone. • 70% are women over 65• 7% of people over 65 say they feel lonely• 12% feel trapped in their homes• 36% feel out of touch with the pace of modern
life• 12% of over 65s never spend time with their
families Times 25.6.12
The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES
• Over 376,250 older people live in 10,331 in care homes in England
• The majority are frail with multiple needs and require help with self-care.
• Over 40% suffer from dementia.
British Geriatric Society, Quest for Health. 2011
The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf
Dementia
AthritisCancer
Common
pathologies
of
old age
The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf
The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf
The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf
The World’s PerspectiveLoss
• Status – role, purpose, stereotype• Independence – physical, financial, cognitive• Companionship – partner, friends, work• Activity – physical, creativity, responsibility• Energy – tired, weak, ill• Looks – BBC!• Sexual activity• Involvement – can’t get there, can’t hear• Hope – regrets, too late, inevitability• Certainty – faith, assurance
The World’s PerspectiveVocabulary
• Ageing• Passed it• Vulnerable• Frail• Forgetful• Doddery• Slow• Burden
The World’s PerspectiveImage
The Potential of Ageing
God’s perspective
The Potential of AgeingGod’s perspective
They still bring forth fruit in old age. They are ever full of sap and green (Psalm 92:14)Is not wisdom found among the aged?Does not long life bring understanding? (Job 12: 12)Grey hair is a crown of splendour;It is attained by a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31)
Growing OlderGod’s perspective
• 50% of 60-75 year olds have no significant
disability or incapacity
• 25% of women over 85 claim to have no health problems
God’s PerspectivePotential
• Contentment – less driven, letting go• Fruitful – culmination of life and experience• Self aware – integrated, accepting• Wise - experienced, skilled, mature• Respected – valued, some cultures• Available – time for others, time for God, time for self
God’s PerspectiveVocabulary
• Wise
• Venerable
• Golden age
• Ageing well
• Respected
• Esteemed
God’s PerspectiveImage
Preparation for AgeingThe Church’s perspective
Southwark DioceseKingston Area
SIGNS OF GROWTH SURVEYNovember 2010
Signs of Growth Survey2010
• Survey undertaken Sunday November 7th
• 122 churches participated
• 13,027 people completed survey
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Age Census data% Church data%
50-59 10 13
60-69 6 13
70-79 5 11
80+ 4 6
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Southwark Diocese Signs of Growth 2010
Church %
• Marriage preparation 59
• Parent and toddler group 62
• Coffee bar 21
• Lunch club 24
• Over sixties 34
TOOTING DEANERY‘Simeon and Anna’ Questionnaire
Method
• Questionnaire circulated to 11 churches
• 5 responses requested from each church
• Respondants 60+
• Responses anonymised for name and church
‘Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireMethod
• 46 completed questionnaires received
• 2 excluded as respondents <60
• 44 questionnaire responses analysed
Discussion
SUNDAY SERVICE• What were the three things most enjoyed?• What were the three things least enjoyed?CHURCH• What were the three things that a church should
provide for older people?GROWING OLDER• What is most valued about being older?• What is difficult about being older?
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireResults
• 44 responses (80%)• 31 women, 13 men• Age range 60-94y • Mean age women 71y• Mean age men 75y• 100% classed themselves as regular church
attenders
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireChurch Services
Most Enjoyed
• Hymns/singing 53%
• Fellowship 50%
• Sermon 39%
• Also Holy Communion, feeling close to God, the liturgy, the children
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireChurch Services
Least Enjoyed
• Nothing 45%
• Sermons – long, boring, child focused
• Buildings – cold , difficult to access, difficult to hear
• Children – noisy
• Jollity/informality
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireMid week Attendance
43% attend a mid week activity (? % in <60s)• Study groups 30%• Social events• Mid week services• Outings• Courses• Prayer meetings• Helping with children’s events
‘Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnairePrivate Devotions
PRAYER• 93% pray regularly• 65% at home• 39% at church• 47% bothBIBLE READING• 68% read Bible• 66% had a favourite passage• Psalm 23 x 5• Matthew 5 x 4• John 3: 16 x 3
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireWhat should a church provide?
• Friendship 34%
• Activities 32%
• Pastoral support 27%
• Sound system including loop 12%
• Also transport, easy access, large print
material, good lighting
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireWhat do you value about being older?
• Wisdom/ experience/ tolerance 36%• Having time 27%• Also health, freedom pass, grandchildren, living in the moment
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireWhat is difficult
about being older?
• Mobility problems 41%• Health issues 20%• Also lack of energy, being written off, the
young
Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireDo you feel your contributions are
valued?
• 91% felt their contributions are valued
• Offers of contributions included prayers, friendship, helping others and helping with practical things
TOOTING DEANERY
• 68% of churches provide transport• 100% of churches have audio loops• 2 churches have only partial wheel chair access• 82% have midweek meetings• 73% offer formal pastoral care• 55% offer outings• 45% have holiday clubs• 17% of PCC members are >70 (0-50%)
Preparation for AgeingThe Church’s Perspective
• Value – commit resource
• See with God’s eyes – avoid stereotyping
• Talk and teach about ageing and dying as a natural part of life
• Encourage ongoing spiritual growth and development
• Treasure ‘older’ spirituality
• Identify gifts and talents and use them
Ephesians 4: 15-16
We will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work
WE are the body of Christ
All have a part to play in God’s Kingdom
AgeingGod’s Perspective
I am making everything new ! (Rev 22: 5)
Bibliography
The Theology of Ageing: Ageing well, Janet Parker
The Spiritual Dimension, SCOP, Diocese of Oxford,
Practical Theology for Ageing, Derrel Watkins
Contemplating Old Age, Thesis, Ruth Gould
Psychology for Christian Ministry, Watts, Nye and Savage
Valuing Age James Woodward
Ageing, a sort of Ghetto Land Georgina Bray