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


http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf

Dementia

AthritisCancer

Common

pathologies

of

old age







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


Age Census data% Church data%

50-59 10 13

60-69 6 13

70-79 5 11

80+ 4 6







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

Documents

A Christian response to Ageing and Mortality