A CALL TO HELP ELDERS RECLAIM AND LIVE THEIR HUMAN VALUES
By Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
In recent decades, as I worked with older adults in
parishes and in the Senior Companion Program, I found that many of
them have very negative thoughts about their later years. I heard
comments like these: “I am just a burden and have no longer any
purpose in life”, “I dread getting old. If they put me in a nursing
home, I will lose all control over my own life.” “The only ones
that count are the young and energetic or those who are earning
money.” These comments are very disheartening and call us to help
the elders in our midst to have a more positive experience and
outlook.
How can we find purpose in later years and give up
familiar ways of being involved? As people of faith, we can recall
that God created each one of us for a purpose. We are all made in
God’s image and likeness and that does not change in later years.
When people have a poor self-image, they downgrade themselves and
only think of the things they did in the past. We need to help them
form a new self-image day by day, and start reclaiming and living
it.
W are asked to look at ourselves as spiritual beings
created by God with a purpose in each stage of our lives. When we
think of ourselves as worthless or useless or unworthy, we must
recall the fact that God sees us as a worthy and useful part of
creation. Then we can restore a positive view of ourselves . We
recall the words of St. Teresa of Avila who said: “ Christ has no
body now but yours, no feet or hands with which he blesses all the
world. You are the Body of Christ.” May we awaken to the meaning of
this saying and it will restore our hope. We can remind each other
of this reflection, as caregivers or family members and help make it
a reality in their lives.
Many older adults have to give up some of the services
they considered useful in the past and choose new ways or relating
to the people around them. Words of encouragement, musical gifts and
faith can be shared with those feeling most in need, or are living
in sadness or despair. These gifts can help relieve people of
depression and restore their sense of purpose. I recall a woman in
her nineties who had many challenges in her life. She said” “Every
day that I wake up, I look in the mirror and say to God: ”Thank you
God, for whatever comes my way this day. I know that Your outcome
will be the best outcome.” We are called to trust God’s outcome,
wherever it may take us.
We can encourage elders to stop thinking of themselves
as people of little worth or importance. We are all part of God’s
loving creation as long as we live. Each one of us is called to be
the best we can be each day of our lives. When we pray and rely on
God’s unfailing help , we remember the words of the Gospel, that
through us, “God can do infinitely more than we dare ask or
imagine.” We can address the fear of death and see it as a doorway
to a new and wonderful life in the presence of our God forever.
What is our vision of later years? Will we consider
ourselves as an important part of God’s plan, wherever we find
ourselves? The more we can reclaim and live these thoughts, the more
productive and happy our lives will be . Let us begin today to think
of our later years as a time of peace and fulfillment, of growing
trust in the presence of our Loving God. Remember we are a blessing
and not a burden to ourselves and those whose lives we touch. Let us
begin today with courage, conviction, and hope.
