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AGING, CAREGIVING, AND THE CHURCH

Michele Hendrix, President, Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN)

We strive to tackle the challenges of aging with expert solutions, and to

redefine aging as a journey of spirituality, strength,

growth, care and compassion.

In our connections with all generations POAMN recognizes a new resolve to break

down the stereotypes and create a new understanding of aging.

America is Aging! The population shift is astounding as we move from a predominately young to an aging culture.

As we plunge into the 21st century, it would benefit us to study the demographics.

Where is the population heading?

Where do we need to focus our energies in ministry?

Are you willing to commit and prepare for this demographic change?

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BY 2035

AMERICANS65

AND OLDER

WILL OUTNUMBER

A PROJECTED

78 MILLION

CHILDREN

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2001 – Median Age PC(USA) - 58

2018 – Median age PC(USA) – 65

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In PC(USA) for every worshiper between the ages of 15 and 25 there are more than six worshipers over

the age of 65.

Within 10 years, the high-risk age 85+ population will increase by 40%, exacerbating a crisis in care giving and a rise in adult abuse.

A substantial percentage of leadership, gifts and services are provided by older adults, the fastest growing age group everywhere.

The unprecedented rapid growth of the older adult population nationwide, and worldwide, and the resultant challenges to the social and economic system, demands responses from the church.

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Talkin’ bout my generation – Coming of Age and Presbyterian identity– Perry Chang

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/0117-gofigure//

January-February 2017 Presbyterian’s Today –Page 8

Talkin’ ’bout my generationPresbyterians Today December 20, 2017Go Figure:Coming of age and Presbyterian identityBy Perry Chang

(Jeffrey Lawrence)Does coming of age in a particular era decisively shape people’s values, habits and personalities?Yes, say some analysts. They argue, for example, that the “Greatest Generation” — Americans who grew up during the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War — is known for being loyal, hardworking and disciplined. Other generations have been influenced by times of economic affluence, stock market crashes and wars.Generational characteristics influence religious and political differences among Presbyterians Greatest Generation Presbyterians attend worship, pray and read the Bible more regularly than other generations. They also donate more money and are more likely to identify as theologically conservative and Republican, especially when compared with Generation Y and Millennial Presbyterians.There’s evidence, moreover, that the higher religiosity in older Presbyterians does not occur because they become more devoted as they grow older. Accounting for inflation, giving among the oldest generation hasn’t changed. The percentage of Greatest Generation Presbyterians giving more than $2,500 to their congregations is the same today as it was 20 years ago. In other words, giving did not increase as they grew older. Likewise, the percentage of Baby Boomer Presbyterians who pray daily or almost daily is about the same today as it was 10 years ago.Perry Chang is a research associate with Research Services for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

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GENERATIONS THE WAY THEY SEE THE WORLD

There are now six generations living in the U.S., in our denominations and congregations

It is time to consider the full potential of each person

throughout the life cycle.

Given our life expectancy, it is critical to plan carefully

for each stage of life.

Age Life Expectancy

Women 65 86 ½Men 65 82 ½

Statistical Source: Administration on Aging

70% of physical aging and 50% of cognitive aging is every day – what we eat, whether or not we exercise, how we engage, to what extent we are making a difference to change the downward slippery slope of the aging curve.

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Aging is one part attitude, one part resolve,

one part information,one part teamwork,

and sometimes-hard work!

The good news is that maturity brings certain gifts. With age comes wisdom, with wisdom

comes grace, with grace comes acceptance, and with

acceptance comes understanding.

These gifts are the effective tools you have on this journey to approach the work of aging successfully and satisfactorily.

MANAGE MINGLE MOVE

Social Connections enhance healthy aging!

SUCCESSFUL AGING

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10-40% of

American Older Adults

are socially isolated

43% feel

lonely

Loneliness and the aging population – it is a looming crisis!Resource: AARP Foundation website Connect2Affect 12

Aging is as much a spiritual growth process as it is a psychological and physical growth process.

A Successful Boomer, Middle Adult, Older Adult, or Senior/Elder Adult Ministry includes:

• A shift in thinking, away from a ‘senior group’ mentality and toward an intergenerational “maturing adult ministry’ mentality.

• Speaks’ to everyday, real life issues, and to times of personal transition of in the lives of youth and maturing adults regardless of the chronological number.

• It honors diversity...of age, stage, personality, ethnicity, and spirituality.

• Ask the question: “Who are my senior adults and what do they like, need, and are able to do?”

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BREAKING DOWN THE SILOS WITHIN THE CHURCH

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STAGES OF LIFE

55 - 75

YOUTH ADULTHOOD

NEW MIDDLE AGE

“BOOMERS”

OLD AGE

www.today.com/health/aging15

PMA Christian Formation

Covenant PartnersThose ages and stages ministries are

APCE – ASSOCIATION PRESBYTERIAN CHIRSTIAN EDUCATORS

PYWA – PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH WORKERS ASSOCIATION

UKirk Network – PC(USA) COLLIGEATE MINISTRIES

PCCCA – Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers

POAMN – Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

Stephanie Fritz is PC(USA)’s new Associate Coordinator for Faith Formation at PMA

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The greatest numbers of aging members in most churches are Boomers, Builders, and the Greatest Generation.

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INTERGENERATIONAL

MINISTRY

A shift in thinking, away from a ‘senior group’ mentality and toward an intergenerational “maturing adult ministry’ mentality. One that honors

diversity...of age, stage, personality, ethnicity, and spirituality and sexuality.

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It is critical that we grasp the big picture of what faces us as more and more people live longer and longer.

Questions to ConsiderWhere do you start?

What are the demographics in yourcongregation?

What is the potential for ministry to older adults in your community?

Is there the possibility of intergenerational engagement?

What are the needs of the older adults and caregivers in your congregation? Community?

How will this affect the church's’programming, facilities, outreach, and overall mission?

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CaregivingandChronicIllness

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Roles and Responsibilities

ADVISOR ADVOCATE

COORDINATOR EVALUATOR MEDIATOR

PROTECTOR PROVIDER

EMOTIONAL FINANCIAL PHYSICAL

SOCIAL SPIRITUAL

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Daily TasksMedical Condition Driving/Transportation Food/Nutrition HygieneBehavior Medication Finances Mail Safety

Ten Considerations:

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65 million adults in the U.S. have provided unpaid care to adisabled adult or a child in the prior 12 months.

Ø A majority (85%) of caregivers are taking care of relatives.Ø The typical caregiver is a 49 year-old female currently

caring for a 69 year old female relative.Ø 8 in 10 (82%) are taking care of one person.Ø Caregivers most frequently reported unmet needs: finding

time for myself (35%), managing emotional and physical stress (29%), and balancing work and family responsibilities (29%).

(2015-2017)National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP 2015-2017 https://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2017-facts-and-figures.pdf

https://www.caregiver.org/caregiver-statistics-demographics/2017

Facts about Caregivers

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figureshttps://www.alz.org/media/HomeOffice/Facts%20and%20Figur

es/facts-and-figures.pdfhttps://www.caregiver.org/caregiver-statistics-demographics

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CALL FOR ACTION:

We need technology more than ever to bridge the gap

117 Million Americans are

expected to need assistance of some

kind by 2020

Forecast:

45 M Unpaid Caregivers

5 M Paid Caregivers

Estimated percentage of informal caregivers who are

Women: 69% - 75%

40% of caregivers are Male

Number of Hours Dedicated to Caregiving by Age of Family Caregiver

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This is an opportunity for the church to

come up with a compassionate

response to reach out to its members and families who

are Caring for the Chronically

Ill of all ages.

What Can Churches Do?

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Developing Older Adult Ministry With Intergenerational Engagement

²Respite and Caregiving²Communities of Faith Models

²New Ministry Models²Resources

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KEY FACTS

o Globally, the population is aging rapidly.

o Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double, from 12% to 22%.

o Mental health and well-being are as important in older age as at any

other time of life.

o Mental and neurological disorders among older adults account for

6.6% of the total disability (DALYs) for this age group.

o Approximately 15% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mentaldisorder.

o (World Health Organization – 12/12/2017)

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Chronic Illnesses85% of older adults have at least one chronic illness:

50% have arthritis,

40% have hypertension,

30% have heart disease,

12% have diabetes,

30% have hearing loss,

15% cataracts and

10% have a stroke

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Ages of People with Alzheimer’s Dementia in U.S. 2017

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Being a Caregiver can be very rewarding ….

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Rewarding….yet very challenging and stressful

Often spousal caregivers are older and are usually coping with chronic health problems.

Lifestyle changes triggered by caregiving create more negative mental and physical health issues.

Jeopardizing caregiver health creates other issues.

A caregiver is always on alert, creating the constant flight or fight reaction resulting in chronic stress.

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CAREGIVER CHALLENGES

Caregiving creates stressNot enough time for self

Role captivityRole engulfing

Affects family dynamics - not enough time for other Family membersFinancial Burden

Interferes with workCreates or aggravates health problems

Caregiver Difficulties:

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Caregiving Risks

High Stress

Worry, uncertainty

Decreased well-being

Increased physical illness

Diminished immune response

Church is the“GO TO” Place for Caregivers

What do Caregivers need the most help with?

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference – 2017 – San Antonio, TX

FPC Built in 1846

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GrandFamilies

WHO ARE THE CAREGIVERS?

As the U.S. population is growing older, more Americans are finding themselves in a family caregiving role than ever before. According to the Institute on Aging (IoA), the average caregiver:

Is female (75% of caregivers)Is 46 years old

Is marriedWorks outside the homeEarns $35,000 annually

The prevalence of caregiving varies among demographic groups as well, such as race/ethnicity.

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Care Recipient Condition

When caregivers are asked what they perceive to be the main reason their recipient needs care the top two problems they report are Old Age and Alzheimer’s and Dementia

(12%) old age(10%) Alzheimer's or dementia (7%) mental/emotional illness

(7%) cancer (5%) heart disease

(5%) stroke

Caregiving…

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Basics of the Caregiving Situation

(66%) of caregivers are predominantly female. They are 48 years of age, on average

(34%) take care of two or more people

(86%) of caregivers provide care for a relative

(36%) taking care of a parent

(14%) care for their own child

(31%) of caregivers have given care to their loved one for five years or more

Caregiving…

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Caregiving In The Church Beyond Chicken Soup

Americans are under considerable stress -money, work and the

economy were cited as the major causes, stress levels

were particularly acute among people with

chronic diseases or those caring for aging or

chronically ill family members.

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Fast Facts: Caregivers in the United States

Selected characteristics of "informal" or "family" caregivers, unpaid caregivers who care for elderly or disabled adults in their families or communities

§ Women and men, age 18 and older, who provide unpaid care to an adult age 18 or older: 44.4 million§ Percentage of caregivers who care for family members: 83%§ Percentage of caregivers who either work or have worked while providing care: 59%§ Percentage of employed caregivers who say they've had to make some adjustments to their work life, from

reporting late to work to giving up work entirely: 62%§ Number of informal caregivers who are the primary caregiver of the person they care for: 71%§ Number of caregivers who report they are the only person providing unpaid care to the person they care for: 37%§ Estimated percentage of informal caregivers who are women: 69% - 75% Although men also provide care,

female caregivers may spend as much as 50% more time providing care than male caregivers and are less likely to be employed full time.

§ Estimated value the informal care women provide, annually: $148 to $188 billion§ Percentage of women caregivers who report experiencing emotional stress due to their care giving role: 40%§ Percentage of male caregivers who do: 26%§ Young caregivers: Nationwide, approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million informal caregivers are between the ages of 8 and

18. 70% of young caregivers are caring for a parent or grandparent.

Caregivers most frequently reported unmet needs: finding time for myself (35%), managing emotional and physical stress (29%), and balancing work and family responsibilities (29%).Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; CDC National Center Health Statistics; Institute for Women's Policy Research; National Alliance for Caregiving; Family Caregiver Alliance.

Fast Facts: Caregivers in U.S.

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How can churches develop ministries for caregivers - the family, friends, and neighbors of the chronically ill or disabled who provide practical aid?

Listen. Just provide a listening ear to a caregiver. Provide encouragement by your presence.

Educate. One way to help caregivers is by providing information about resources both in the church and in the community that caregivers might find useful.

Be sensitive. “Support is wonderful, but well-meaning people need to know the limits” and not become intrusive. Be respectful of the caregiver and the family.

Give them a break. Provide short-term respite care. Offer to sit with an ill or disabled person while the caregiver goes shopping, enjoys some personal time or attends worship services. Schedule members to sit with loved ones on Sunday mornings and allow the caregiver to come to church.

Provide occasional meals. Meals may be welcomed and appreciated, but be aware of dietary restrictions, and don’t provide so much food that it becomes overwhelming.

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Provide caregivers with an opportunity to renew. Caregivers need time for physical, emotional, and especially spiritual renewal. Start or strengthen the homebound Bible study department.

Offer and provide needed help at decision points. Ministry leaders can avoid passing judgments on caregiving decisions. Caregivers already wrestle with the guilt of making decisions they wish they did not have to make. Instead, offer support related to the difficulty of the decisions being made. Help caregivers identify and locate resources including professionals. Help them recall biblical passages where God helped people endure unpleasant circumstances.

Regularly check to see if they need specific help. When asked, most caregivers tell church members they are “doing okay” and don’t need help. However, if a specific action plan is in place, most caregivers will accept the offer. Be sure to set a specific date. If you don’t, they will not likely take you up on your offer.

Help them to avoid isolation. Many caregivers gradually wean themselves away from their regular network of friends. Churches need to keep caregivers plugged into the life and ministry of the church.

Provide opportunities to network with others. Consider starting a support group for caregivers. As the group grows, consider forming small groups based on caregiving duties. For example, you may eventually form a group for adult children caring for aging parents, long-distance caregivers, caregivers of chronically ill children, and so forth.

Caregivers need your prayers. Maintain constant contact with caregivers asking how you may pray more specifically for their needs as well as for the person(s) for whom they are caring. Follow up on those prayer needs and become an advocate for helping meet some of those needs

Develop ministries for caregivers

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Start a Caregiver Support Group a supportive community for caregivers who meet once or twice

a month. Volunteers facilitate the group. Volunteer leaders are trained as facilitators.

Caregiving/Care Teams Older adults provide direct care for people having difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs): walking, dressing, getting to/from bed, going shopping, and

preparing meals.

Children of Aging Parents (COAP) Provide support, networking opportunities, and resource

information for adult children of aging parents. Companion Services: Older adults escort other

older adults for visits to the doctor, dentist, pharmacy, grocery store, etc., helping them along the

way.

Develop a Respite Care and Adult Day of Care Program an adult social day program offering

seniors with memory impairment, loneliness, or frailty and their families an alternative to nursing

home placement or home care services. Caregivers get a day off while volunteers supply a fun,

structured activity program for their loved ones. Trained volunteers make each other laugh and

check up on each other. They have a wonderful bond with each other. It is a positive win-win

experience for the caregiver and for the person receiving care. This can be offered monthly or bi-

monthly and is staffed by trained volunteers.

Develop Ministries…

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Evidence Based Ministry Programs

Chronic conditions are on the rise across the nation and can lower quality of life for older adults and contribute to the leading causes of death among this population. Developing evidence-based programs in your congregations and organizations are a proven way to promote health and prevent disease among older adults. Older Americans overwhelmingly prefer to stay in their homes, churches, and communities as they age. The ultimate goal is to improve the health, function, and quality of life of older adults.

The most common chronic conditions include:

Heart DiseaseCancer

Chronic bronchitis or emphysemaStroke

Diabetes Alzheimer's & Dementia

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To learn more details about Powerful Tools for Caregivers go to www.powerfultoolforcaregivers.org

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There are an estimated 65.7 million caregivers or 29% of the U.S. adult population who are providing care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged

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A Matter of Balance is an 8-week structured group intervention that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view (a) falls and fear of falling as controllable, (b) set realistic goals to increase activity, (c) change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and (d) exercise to increase strength and balance.

A MATTER OF BALANCE

Savvy Caregiver is an educational program focused on providing instructional material for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.. The program teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to handle the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. The Savvy Caregiver program has also been tested, researched and evaluated over the years and results have shown that this training program reduces Alzheimer caregiver’s distress effectively.

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2.10 – Loaves & Fishes – First Presbyterian Church

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FPC San Antonio partners with a variety of local mission

partners around the city. These partners focus on showing

the love of Christ in a myriad of ways; providing food,

shelter, and assistance to low-income or homeless

individuals and families, assisting with building life-skills

and care, building mentorships, planting church families,

evangelism, and education. To find out how you can serve

one of our local mission partners, contact…

Love Christ, Love One Another, Love our City

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HURRICANE ASSISTANCE – GPCH

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With the handprints of Hurricane Harvey still lingering in many of our Texas Coast cities, we are uniquely

positioned in the midst of tragedy and loss to help those displaced by the flooding and not able to return to their

homes for months. As a church family we have had a unique opportunity to minister to others more

vulnerable to help clean out, clean up, rebuild, and recover. We have been acting tangibly to show Christ’s

love through service that cultivates meaningful relationships and supports long-term recovery.

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GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN CONFERENCE

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren provides home-based services and community resources to improve the physical and emotional needs of families. It will be a full day of information, resources, and demonstrations. A collaboration of Bexar Area Agency on Aging, Alamo Council of Government, CentroMed, Powerful Tools for Caregivers.

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GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN-GRANDFAMILIES Our goal is to show God's love, care and concern to grandparents in need, as they are raising their Grandchildren, helping to establish a safe environment through relational, physical and spiritual support during a time of transition. Grandparents who are primarily responsible for all aspects of the care of a grandchild (or

grandchildren)Can be formal or informal (majority) caregiving

Parents often absent (skipped generation households)Reasons and experiences are diverse

Usually multiple factors are at workReasons often reflect societal patterns of marginalization

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CARE CLUSTERSCARE CLUSTER MINISTRY

Care. Communication. Connection.What are Care Clusters?

Care Clusters are small groups of ten people who meet regularly and create a caring and welcoming atmosphere where people care for one another, experience the power of the gospel and are transformed through discipleship.

Care Cluster Vision:In the next five years, we dream that every Covenant Partner who calls FPC home will be connected to Christ and to one another through the renovation of pastoral care by focusing on discipleship in small groups. We want to

make disciples who love one another.

Three Key Elements:Care

Care Cluster members will care for one another, while the Pastoral Staff, Church Staff, Stephen Minister Team, and support groups will provide resources and support. When times of illness, stress, loneliness, grief or any other loss

occurs in the life of a member of a Care Cluster, fellow Care Cluster members will care for them.Communication

Care Cluster members will learn to enhance communication by sharing love of Christ with one another, and the Care Cluster will learn to regularly communicate the Cluster’s needs to the pastoral staff so they can provide

additional resources and support and the entire congregation can pray for everyone in need.Connection

Jesus calls us to connect to Him and to one another so that we can join together in enthusiastic fellowship and care for one another. In the future, the Care Cluster Leadership Team will be working hard to connect every

Covenant Partner to Christ and to one another in a Care Cluster.For more information and to become involved with Care Clusters, contact

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Older Adult Resources

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Sarah Erickson

Director, Lifelong Learning

404 687-4526

EricksonS@CTSnet.edu

Patricia Baker OAM Certificate Program CoordinatorPresbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network

678-438-3673

Pcbaker22@comcast.net http://www.poamn.org/

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POAMN RESOURCESAn informative website, www.poamn.org

Membership at individual, couples, affiliate, or institutional level.

POAMN Network News (PNN) is published 5 times/year

Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide published annually for celebrating Older Adult Sunday in early May (resources useful year-around.)

Annual POAMN Conference held once a year and rotated around the country. Scholarships and grants to ease the cost of attendance are available.

POAMN Regional Conference held once a year in various locations throughout the United States in collaboration with congregations, Presbyteries, and ecumenical partners.

A Facebook and Twitter Page

An Older Adult Ministry Certification Program, through a partnership with the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary. Two courses are offered each year.

http://www.ctsnet.edu/lifelong-learning-certificate-programs

POAMN exists to make everyone’s inevitable aging process the best it

can possibly be.

Embracing POAMN enables individuals and their loved ones to

age sensibly, happily and wisely with God’s full strength.

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REGIONAL CONFERENCES

2019

ST. LEO’S BENEDICTINE ABBEY, ST. LEO’S FLORIDA

2020 POAMN REGIONAL CONFERENCE

MONTREAT

MAY 2020

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Michele Hendrix

President, Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

poamn.org

powerfultoolsforcaregivers.org

tmichelehendrix@icloud.com

Michele Hendrix is President of Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN). She is a Deacon, Stephen Leader, Caregiver Specialist, Speaker, and Master Trainer for Powerful Tools for Caregivers with expertise in intergenerational and older adult ministry and caregiving. Working for over 30 years to advocate, educate, involve and motivate individuals in the process of aging and self-care. Recognizing the connections among church, health care, non-profit, community, state, federal, and local agencies.

The focus of this work is on intergenerational, interfaith, older adult ministry, and evidence-based programs for adults, health promotion, ministry development and programming, respite for caregivers, and fall prevention programs. Serving for 18 years as Director for Encore Generation 50+ Adult Ministry and Pastoral Care Assistant for Older Adults at Grace Presbyterian/Houston advocating, educating, involving and motivating individuals in the process of aging and self-care. Prior to her ministry at Grace, she served at a non-profit Senior Adult Center HJF Recreational Center for Older Adults in Houston for eight years. Michele has a national reputation as an advocate for 50+ Aging and Older Adults.

Conducting workshops nationally for POAMN, APCE-Association Presbyterian Church Educators, Presbytery of the Cascades Older Adult Ministry Leadership Retreat, Presbytery of New Covenant, Cascades Presbytery, Presbytery of Shapley and the James, Philadelphia Presbytery Older Adult Ministry Task Force, Texas Ministry Conference, Area Agency on Aging State Conferences in Ohio and Texas, Interfaith Care Partners Caregiver Conferences/Houston, St. Luke’s Methodist Church Caregiver Conferences/Houston, Life Care Centers of America, Older Adult Retreats, Lecture Series, and many individual congregations. Michele was appointed and served on the 2004 GA Task Force for Older Adult Ministry working with middle governing bodies on issues of aging and the church. Michele is married to Dale Hendrix and they have 5 adult married children and 14 grandchildren. Michele refers to them lovingly as her personal flash mob!

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