Those Useless Old People

Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. He writes a regular blog on behalf of that organization. Sadly there are many who are urging the passing of new laws that support euthanasia and assisted suicide. This organization works to resist the passing of such. You can read more about their important work on their website. What interested me was what I read in Schadenberg's blog for May 25, 2010, "5 Reasons Why People Devalue the Elderly." I want to respond to what his guest columnist, Kitty Holman, wrote on that date.

She begins,

"All around us in modern Western society is evidence that elderly adults who cannot care for themselves on their own are being abused and neglected. I believe that much of this is a result of a general social disregard for this vulnerable population group. This broad disregard is such that many of them—especially those with disabilities and those living with chronic pain—would rather have their lives ended for them than go on living in a world where they perceive they are not valued."

As a pastor one of my several duties was to visit the elderly in nursing homes. Frankly, I went there with mixed feelings. That is to say, it sometimes tore my heart out to see old, frail men and women sitting in wheelchairs with their heads hung low, spittle dripping out from their mouths as they mumbled unintelligible words or said nothing while they stared blankly with unseeing eyes at their surroundings. Was this all that awaits each one of us?

Of course, there are always those delightful, loving folks who welcome one's visits, the reading of God's Word and prayer. But what about those with disabilities, sickness, pain and suffering? I was tempted to avoid any contact with them even though it was my pastoral responsibility. These are the folks Ms. Holman speaks about as she asks the inevitable question. Why does our society, our culture in general, feel it is acceptable to devalue these people? She posits five answers.

1) Social Role Valorization - SRV is a concept coined by Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger. He calls it "the application of what science can tell us about the enablement, establishment, enhancement, maintenance, and/or defense of valued social roles for people" (Wolfensberger, 1995a). He says that in North America there are as many as ⅓ of the population who are devalued and subjected to systematic neglect and abuse. This is because they are perceived as different and deviant. Such would include people with physical or functional impairments or low competence. That would certainly include many of the elderly who are put away in some of the frightening nursing homes I have visited.

2) The tendency to "shoot" our weak and wounded.  If evolution is your dominant view of the world that may fit in. Does the theory of evolution not say that the strong survive and the weak pass away? I certainly agree with Ms. Holman that this is the dominant way the business world works. A savvy CEO cannot afford to keep non-productive employees. He has to answer to the share holders who demand that the company makes money for them. So the elderly—crippled, diseased, with failing eyesight, hearing and memory—have got to go. What else can a thriving business do? This is how the world works.

3) Lack of compassion.  I have certainly seen some deep commitments to elderly parents and relatives among many I have known. The closest that Sylvia and I came to dealing with this was when her polio-disabled aunt grew weak and elderly. We were the closest relatives and the responsibility to care for her fell upon us for several years. Yet I have known of an instance when elderly mother was  considered a great burden—and the caretaker despised the task of caring for her. Both of them made life miserable for one another.

4) One's value is based on what one can contribute. Surely many of us know that caring for elderly parents is not always easy. Several senior citizens I've known were angry and frightened about getting old. Their arthritic pains increased their discomfort and they became demanding, complaining, troublesome people. They went out of their way to make everyone around them in the family feel their misery. Day after day they bemoaned their condition. When they died, their families sighed great sighs of relief. The only worth these people had in their eyes was the inheritances they left behind.

5) The U.S. is obsessed with youth. Indeed. You see it at every turn, in every ad, every magazine, every movie. Our children are worth fighting for, saving, helping, but the seniors—well, they've lived a "full life" and all they have to look forward to is more pain, more suffering and probably becoming a burden to their children. On the other hand, there are the young people. They are the future. They have the new ideas, the energy, the passion.

All this is rather dismal I know. Perhaps that's what Kitty Holman meant it to be when she made her comments. According to the Schadenberg blog you can contact her @ kitty.holman20@gmail.com . Perhaps she wants to shock us into more compassion. I've not seen that happen by making others feel guilty or angry. In my observation people learn compassion by example and the encouragement of God's mercy in Christ. Compassion comes from the heart of the one in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells, as the Apostle says,

We love because he first loved us. - 1Jo 4:19 ESV

I'd like to explore this business of getting old further. One of the fascinating areas of study these days is that of discovering why we age in the first place. More on that another time.

A Senior Citizen's View of Christmas

If you've followed this blog at all you know that I am a senior citizen and have been for nearly 25 years. In the USA a person reaching the age of 55 is eligible to join the American Association of Retired People (AARP). This then becomes one definition of senior citizen.

We seniors have many issues and thus find ourselves often in the news. One of the issues my wife and I have struggled with is whether we should remain in the home we built now over 34 years ago or should we take up residence in a place designed for seniors. Several of our senior couple friends have done so. When one or the other needs assistance, say because of physical or mental problems, the facilities are available. We have chosen, however, to remain in our house.

Two seniors, Simeon and Anna, appear in the Christmas story as Mary and Joseph come to Jerusalem to carry out the requirements of the Mosaic laws connected with the birth of a boy child. The first of these was Simeon.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 

"Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." - Luke 2:25-35 ESV

Simeon the God-receiver by Alexey Yegorov. 1830-40s

We know nothing about Simeon other than what Luke records. From that record we assume he was neither a priest nor a member of the Sanhedrin. However, he appears to be well grounded in the Scriptures and understood the prophecies about the Messiah or Christ. He may well have heard about the Magi coming and understood why they sought the child, that is, if the Magi came to Bethlehem shortly after Jesus' birth.  He may also have heard about the angels who appeared to the shepherds. All this information could have led him to Mary and Joseph. They were, after all, both of the house and lineage of David and the prophecies clearly said that Messiah would come from David's line.

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' "For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, - Jer 33:14-17 ESV

Simeon seems to have understood this prophecy. He also saw from the prophecies and the history of Israel that Jesus would generate great conflict. Many would follow him, but many would indeed oppose and kill him. So said the prophets about Messiah.

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? . . . Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. - Isa 53:1-12 ESV

Mary, says Simeon, would see all this come to pass, but not Joseph. He would be dead long before Jesus was crucified. Mary, however, would witness her son crucified and a sword would pierce her very soul with pain and anguish.

Simeon's song is sung in the liturgies of all branches of the Christian church. It is a reminder that the Christ came according to Biblical prophecy. It confirms the Christian belief that the Holy Spirit led the prophets to record what they had themselves not seen. God's plan came to pass and so believers are comforted in all ages by this confidence. Our God still guides the events of this world. And so we
seniors who are much more aware than those younger than us of the brevity of life and the certainty of God's judgment may wait quietly for the LORD's return. And if he does not return in our lifetime, then we await in peace and hope for his call to depart and be with him. With Simeon we sing,

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

A New Song For Old People

I've mentioned my Grandpa Henry before. He was a pious farmer who taught me when I was a small boy. He taught me to believe in Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. I have vivid memories of him teaching me the beloved hymn Abide With Me as I sat next to him on his bed. He later died from cancer. Each time I join in the singing of that hymn that memory floods back. And, now that I'm a Grandpa, his example encourages me to follow his wise example.

Listen to the psalmist.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! - Psa 111:10 ESV

 In my last post we were reminded that Jesus is God's wisdom (1 Cor. 1:17-30). The wise man loves Jesus because he knows that in Jesus God loves and forgives us and gives to us life in abundance. So abundant is that life that we can never die (John 11:25). This faith is included in the psalmist's phrase the fear of the LORD.


That phrase is an interesting Biblical way of speaking about faith. We find it everywhere in the Psalms. Some additional examples:

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. - Psa 34:11 ESV 

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! - Psa 22:23 ESV 

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. - Psa 25:14 ESV 

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. - Psa 40:3 ESV

The Hebrew word for fear is yareh. As you can see from the examples above it means much more than being afraid. It means to stand in awe of, to reverence and honor. The believer in Jesus knows about this. The story of Peter when his boat was filled with fish illustrates it.

And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. - Luk 5:6-11 ESV

Peter was awed by the gracious and undeserving gift from Jesus as represented by the huge catch of fish. Why would Jesus give this to him, especially since he was a sinful man? Notice the astonishment and fear that fell upon all the fishermen. But they were to move beyond that. Jesus was calling them to follow Him. And so they did. In terms of what we are speaking about they moved from fear to a life of wisdom. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

And so we come to my point about us seniors who have attained a certain amount of wisdom that grows out of the fear of the LORD. We may find purpose and meaning to these final years by seizing the opportunities to do what the psalm encourages: 

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. - Psa 34:11 ESV

Our lives can become the way by which we teach our children the fear of the LORD. You don't need to be a trained teacher. My Grandpa Henry certainly was not. Yet by his example, with his words and prayers he taught me at an early age the meaning of the fear of the LORD, a lesson I have never forgotten. Piety, prayers, our manner of life, how we spend our money, what we say and do to give encouragement—all this and more becomes our way of leading our children to fear the LORD. And note, by children I refer not only to our families, but to all who are younger than we are and who are
not as far down the path of wisdom as we may be.

To assist us in this gracious task the LORD has given us the books of wisdom in the Scriptures. Meditate and ponder Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. There we find much to guide us as we join all of God's wise people in the great and joyous task of making disciples of Jesus. Even in your good old age you too will be able to join the psalmist as he says,

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. - Psa 40:3 ESV

The Foolishness of Wisdom For Old People

As noted in my previous post, there are warnings in the Bible about overlooking the fact that our bodies grow old and weak and finally die. One such example is Psalm 90:

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. - Psa 90:8-12 ESV

Toil and trouble, soon gone. This somber view of life can lead old people to melancholy and even despair. Perhaps that's why seniors spend so much time recalling and retelling the stories of the past. However, I'd like to focus upon some other words of the psalm, a prayer we all need to offer: 

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 

What does it mean to "number our days" in order to get a heart of wisdom? And what is a "heart of wisdom"?


To number anything is to count, but it is doubtful that Moses is encouraging us to count how many days we have been alive. On my upcoming birthday that would be 79 x 365 + leap years. Surely that little exercise will not get me a heart of wisdom. What wisdom is there in knowing how many days I have been wandering around this planet? So what does the prophet suggest?

We do find days (yowmim in Hebr.) used in that manner. Abraham's life was measured as the days of the years.

These are the days of the years of Abraham's life, 175 years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. - Gen 25:7-8 ESV

Somebody kept track of the days of the years. altogether 175 years. And notice that they are called a good old age. What made Abraham's years good? The fact that he lived about a hundred years longer than most of us will in our day? Surely not that in itself. It must be that Abraham had gotten during his good old age this heart of wisdom that Moses wrote about in Psalm 90. So what is this heart of wisdom?

Heart in the Bible always refers to the inner life of a person, his thoughts, plans, ideas and dreams. So we read that prior to the Flood the intentions and thoughts of men were "only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). In turn, the LORD was sorry that he had even made man and it grieved him to his heart (Gen. 6:5-6). So the disobedient world of men was destroyed by the waters of the flood and we are once more reminded that the LORD knows what is in our hearts. He knows and remembers our thoughts, desires and plans from day to day, even to old age.

Later in the story of God's people Moses is speaking to Israel as they are about to enter the long awaited land of promise. He writes,

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. - Deu 10:12-15 ESV

Here then is the secret to attaining a good old age. In your heart and soul learn to fear and love the LORD, serve Him and keep His commandments. This is wisdom. But there is more to wisdom than a mere command, however important that may be. One cannot attain wisdom by obeying commands, for as we noted above, our hearts, like the people of the days of the Flood are naturally inclined toward evil. How then comes this wisdom?

The answer is found in the story of Israel as recorded in Scripture. The story moves on through hundreds and hundreds of years until the coming of the LORD Himself in human flesh and blood. Then we discover how deeply personal wisdom truly is. Paul writes,

. . . but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. - 1Cr 1:23-25 ESV

True wisdom lies in the person of Jesus Christ, God's Son. No mere man is he. He is, in truth, God with us. In him God reveals his deep and amazing love for sinners. The foolishness of God is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. There we view the LORD Himself winning for us forgiveness for all the foolishness, all the failures, all the stupidity, all the rebellion of our days. The man or woman who has faith and trust in Jesus Christ learns to love him and longs to serve and obey him. Thus he or she has received a heart of wisdom.

We must go from here. In my next posts I want to discuss what we wise seniors who have received the gift of faith in Christ are to do with our wisdom. In other words, what meaning may we find in our old age?

Home Health Care For Seniors

As loved ones age the question of care inevitably rises in families. Should the time come when Mom and/or Dad needs care, how will we children manage it? Should they move into our home? Will they need to move at all? What if they stay where they are and are cared for by caregivers right in  their home? And central to all these questions, What do they want to do?

In recent news the following appeared:

Consumer Watchdog: Insurance Company Sued for Denying Elderly Sick Their Home Care Benefits - PR Newswire - sacbee.com: The suit charges that SHIP – which services policies that were originally sold by Conseco, American Travelers Life, Transport Life, United General Life, and Continental Life Insurance Company – is telling policyholders who file claims under their long-term care policies that caregivers who come to their home must be licensed when in fact licensing is not required. According to the suit, the company is also requiring policyholders to produce extensive documentation not required by the policy and requiring policyholders to undergo unnecessary medical examinations by personnel selected by SHIP. Examples of SHIP's abusive documentation practices aimed denying coverage include requiring multiple claim forms requesting duplicate information, forms authorizing SHIP to obtain medical records, proof of caregiver certification, and detailed daily caregiver notes.

Not good to hear. Doubtless care must be taken in signing up for long-term insurance. It is usually wise for the entire family to discuss these issues together.

Home Health Care is a growing industry. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, from 2000 to 2007 Home Health Care Services ranks 41st among the 491 industries that make up the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying businesses in order to collect, analyze and publish statistical data.

During that generally expansionary economic period, Home Health Care ranks higher than breweries, wineries, legal services, insurance carriers, electromedical apparatus manufacturing, and even nitrogenous fertilizer manufacturing. Amazingly, since the beginning of 2008 (inclusive of our deep recession), it has certainly moved up that chart and is likely now in the top 15 — hobnobbing with the likes of information services and petroleum refineries.

The over 65 age group is growing in the United States, primarily because seniors are living longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides data for the U.S. Check the link for more details.

• Number of U.S. residents age 65 and over: 38.9 million (2008)

Life expectancy

• Men at 65 years: 17.6 years
• Women at 65 years: 20.3 years

Health status

• Percent of noninstitutionalized persons age 65 and over in fair or poor health: 24% (2009)

• Percent of noninstitutionalized persons age 65 and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 7.0%

The charts and reports are endless. What emerges from all this data? We seniors are living much longer these days. Seniors will soon be 40 million strong in the United States and over 75% are doing pretty good. And they're going to be around well into their 80s and beyond, going and coming, living in their own homes. The 25% who aren't so blessed will feed the Home Health Care industry and provide challenges for their families.

Here are some guidelines from the Bible about caring for the elderly of your family.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" - Acts 20:35 ESV

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.  

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. - 1Ti 5:1-10 ESV