From birth to death, aging is a lifelong process of change. In our earliest years, those changes are often visible and celebrated. We grow “up,” acquiring new physical abilities and learning at a breathtaking pace. As children and young adults, our intellectual growth is measured, graded, and sometimes rewarded through school, work, and professional advancement.
Societies throughout history have experienced major events that have challenged commonly held beliefs. One such event, known as the Reformation, signaled the beginning..
I just walked outside into our central courtyard at Pilgrim Manor, a retirement community in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and joined community members soaking up the warm..
When a person believes that aging is a negative process, it negatively affects their self-concept, performance, health and how long they live. We need to live as if..
Hang around enough funerals and eventually you will hear the cliché about hearses and U-Haul trailers. For those who have not heard the message, it goes something like..
Three years ago, the Board of Directors of United Church Homes, along with the executive leadership team, and select staff and residents from one of our senior living..
One of the ongoing conversations that we will periodically share has to do with the language that we use when we talk about many things related to aging. We know that..
When a loved one is challenged with a significant health crisis we request prayers for healing—just listen to the prayer requests on Sunday mornings. We want those who..
It may not be something to which anyone aspires, but it is a very real and growing concern: Elder orphans. An elder orphan is defined as “aged, community-dwelling..
There we were. In the parlor of the church all sitting around the room for an informal conversation in which I had been invited to share about the ministry of United..
