How often do you think about the elderly?
Now, if you are elderly – you may think about them a lot! I think it’s a reality that society has moved a direction in which the elderly are very much a forgotten part of society and in which they don’t receive as much honor as in times past or in other cultures. This is true also in many church contexts as well.
I recently had to watch a documentary called Young at Heart which tracks a music group that is a collection of people in their later years through a season in which they are preparing for a large music show they put on.
I don’t like watching documentaries, but this quickly become something I think all people who are involved in providing leadership to the elderly should watch. This would include pastors and anyone who is caring for elderly parents or grandparents. It just provides an awesome window into how significant it is for people really late in life to be connected to community, have purpose, be challenged, and have motivating goals.
It’s entertaining, instructional, inspirational and even heartbreaking at times too. It’s worth it if you are wanting to continue to develop your ability to relate to and care for the elderly as well as worth it if you are wanting to learn how to honor this esteemed generation that has lived full lives.
If you end up watching it let me know, curious what your takeaways are!
