Granny's Getting Older
Introduction
While we often
think of “raising a family” in terms of care for the young
(parents for children), there is also the other side – care for
parents and grandparents – David sending parents to Moab, Jesus
saying, “Woman Behold Your Son” on the Cross. The Orphan and the
Widow are both to cared for.
I –
Understanding the Aging Process (The Elderly Are Like Backwards
Teenagers)
1 – Everyone
ages – that's just the reality of life – but sin and death twist
this. The aging curve (beware the freshman 15, the thirties –
my need for readers)
2 – Imagine
growing towards what you were two years ago, or three years ago.
3 – The Body
Weakens and the Mind Slow (The talents you hone now, imagine them
withering)
4 – Finances
Get tighter.
5 –
Independence is valued, but they become less capable.
II – Simple
Ways of Serving
1 –
Companionship – Be “present” with them. Youth presence can
have a profound impact. (babies are the future, you are their
past – I get to start to commiserate)
2 – Subtly
Lending a Hand – from you better than from others.
3 –
Listening and Learning to their Experience
4 – Helping
the primary caregivers (like your parents)
III – Things
Going Bad
1 – Mourning
and Loss (Not just death, but losing abilities)
2 - Doctors
and Disease
Scary
Sounding names – like “congestive heart failure”
3 – Dementia
Don't
correct, just roll, like you would with a toddler.
IV –
Transitions
1 – Assisted
Living/Moving in with the Kids
2 – Nursing
Home
3 – Skilled
Nursing Care
4 – Hospice
5 –
Hospitals and the end of care. DNRs, Palliative care, the “plug”
- but not euthanasia.
V – The
Resurrection of the Body
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