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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.

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A Christian response to Ageing and Mortality

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  1. A Christian response to Ageing and Mortality Medical and Biblical Reflections

  2. Overview • The Pathology of Ageing – the world’s perspective • The Potential of Ageing – God’s perspective • Preparation for Ageing – the Church’s perspective

  3. Growing Older The World’s perspective

  4. 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

  5. The World’s PerspectiveCriteria for old age Chronological Age (arbitrary) UK – 60/65y Sub Saharan Africa – 50y Social Role (culturally dependent) Unable to contribute financially Post retirement – men /women? Cultural factors – privileges of age Change in capabilities (variable) Loss of mobility Loss of independent thinking Dependence on others http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/index.html

  6. 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.

  7. The World’s PerspectivePopulation age structure1985 - 2035

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf

  12. Common pathologies of old age Dementia Athritis Cancer

  13. The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf

  14. The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf

  15. The World’s PerspectiveHEALTH ISSUES http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/hseolder/HSESummary.pdf

  16. 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

  17. The World’s PerspectiveVocabulary • Ageing • Passed it • Vulnerable • Frail • Forgetful • Doddery • Slow • Burden

  18. The World’s PerspectiveImage

  19. The Potential of Ageing God’s perspective

  20. 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)

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. God’s PerspectiveVocabulary • Wise • Venerable • Golden age • Ageing well • Respected • Esteemed

  24. God’s PerspectiveImage

  25. Preparation for AgeingThe Church’s perspective

  26. Southwark DioceseKingston AreaSIGNS OF GROWTH SURVEYNovember 2010

  27. Signs of Growth Survey2010 • Survey undertaken Sunday November 7th • 122 churches participated • 13,027 people completed survey

  28. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  29. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  30. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  31. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  32. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  33. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  34. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010

  35. Southwark DioceseSigns of Growth 2010 Church % • Marriage preparation 59 • Parent and toddler group 62 • Coffee bar 21 • Lunch club 24 • Over sixties 34

  36. TOOTING DEANERY‘Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireMethod • Questionnaire circulated to 11 churches • 5 responses requested from each church • Respondants 60+ • Responses anonymised for name and church

  37. ‘Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireMethod • 46 completed questionnaires received • 2 excluded as respondents <60 • 44 questionnaire responses analysed

  38. 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?

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. ‘Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnairePrivate Devotions PRAYER • 93% pray regularly • 65% at home • 39% at church • 47% both BIBLE READING • 68% read Bible • 66% had a favourite passage • Psalm 23 x 5 • Matthew 5 x 4 • John 3: 16 x 3

  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. Simeon and Anna’ QuestionnaireWhat is difficult about being older? • Mobility problems 41% • Health issues 20% • Also lack of energy, being written off, the young

  47. 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

  48. 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%)

  49. 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

  50. 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

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