All the Days of My Life

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

     Drive through any community and you will likely see numerous homes, businesses, several churches, schools, fire stations and law enforcement buildings.  But how often do we see facilities that care for the elderly.  They are there but we may not recognize them for what they are.  Many names have been given to them; Nursing Homes, Rest Homes, Convalescent Homes/Centers, Retirement Homes, Adult Care Centers, just to name a few.  Quite often descriptive words are attached to the names; Restful Valley, Lilly of the Valley, Peaceful Haven, Sunshine, Happy Times, and so on.  Regardless of what name they are given or how we try to describe them, they are places where people are living and quite often they are living out the latter years of their lives.  They are Nursing Homes, Convalescent Homes - places where people live that cannot live by themselves.  They are homes to a lot of people.

     I have found that the residents of nursing homes fall into basically three categories: 1) The elderly, who because they are advancing in years are not able to care for themselves.  2) Those with various physical disabilities that do not require full hospitalization.  They can be young or old.  3) And those who are not fully able to live on their own.  Many of these residents have lived in institutions most of their lives.  They quite often end up in the poorer and ill equipped facilities.

     There are several types of facilities that care for the elderly today.  Most of which are so much better than what was available even just thirty years ago.  There are of course the facilities with large rooms or “wards”, those with semi-private or private rooms, the remodeled houses with only a few living in what closely resembles a “home”, and the facilities that are much like a hospital.  A recent trend has been to build facilities where several people can live together in what closely resembles a house but with all the care of a “nursing home”.  However, we must not forget that there are still some poorly run facilities and people that are not being cared for properly.  Perhaps these are the places where we can do the most good.

     Most nursing homes and convalescent centers are for profit businesses.  Only a few are not for profit.  Either way, they must generate enough income to pay the staff and maintain the facility.  This has never been an easy task and is becoming more and more difficult today.  This is why it is so important for Christians to become involved in volunteering their time and talents.  Many facilities cannot hire a full time activities director, chaplain, or recreation coordinator.  Volunteers can really help in these areas.  There are residents that have personal needs that are beyond the facility or family’s ability to provide.  Also, there are many maintenance issues which volunteers can help with.

     Not every resident in a Nursing Home is a believer.  In fact many are not.  Of those who are, their faith has often grown cold.  Many are discouraged, lonely, broken hearted, depressed, or discouraged.  We can be an encouragement to them.  We can bring the light of Jesus Christ to them.  And there are many ways to do it.  Many love to sing the old hymns they grew up with.  Others prefer patriotic music, folk songs, or their favorite “Oldies”.  Children often bring a spark to their eyes.  Bible Studies and Worship Services are very important to the residents and workers.

     The present number of elderly citizens in America is said to be between fifteen and twenty  percent.  That number is projected to rise to around twenty-five percent in the next few years.  While advances in medical care and health care have increased our life-span and quality of life, there will still be the need to care for the elderly.

     The ministry that we can provide is not just for the residents but for those who work there as well.  The management and employees are responsible for the well-being of the residents.  That is not an easy job.  And the workers have families as well that they are caring for.  Anything that we can do in a “Nursing Home” can be a blessing to the residents and employees.

May we find ways to be a blessing to others all the days of their lives!

    Pastor Carl