Positive Aging and Health Conference on Ministry with the Aging

Positive Aging and Health Beyond the Medical Model Dimensional Ontology Symbols of transcendence Gero Transcendence Spiritual Thickness Impact of Spirituality on Health Physical health Coping Health promotion Health Promotion Drawing

Beyond the Medical Model The truth is that as the struggle for survival has subsided, the question has emerged: survival for what?” (Viktor Frankl 1979 Unheard Cry for meaning p. 21) It is the whole person that is aging

Dimensional Ontology Frankl, V. E. (1988). The will to meaning: Foundations and applications of logotherapy. New York: A Meridian Book. 23

Is Growing Old worth one’s whole life to attain? Growing old is about more than the physical process of birthdays When we talk to most seniors, they will tell you that happiness is more important than longevity. How many of you would choose to end life in extreme pain, or with Alzheimer’s Disease? If we can learn from the dying, what is it that is of ultimate importance?

Meaning Where do you find meaning? Your life is a series of experiences When you tell someone one of your experiences, it becomes a story Stories have a beginning and an end Stories are personal With in important stories there is a meaning. Meanings are: Transcendent Intended to be shared

Transcendence Symbols of transcendence Responsibility of Transcendence Symbols within the Judeo-Christian traditions Symbols that are made up through experience Symbols can be cohort related Responsibility of Transcendence To give it away

Gero-Transcendence A “time of gero-transcendence in which individuals gradually experience a new understanding of fundamental existential questions – often a cosmic communication with the spirit of the universe and a redefinition of the self and relationships with others. (Lars Tornstan “Gerotranscendence in a Broad Cross-Sectional Perspective” Journal of Aging and Identity. Vo. 2 # 1, 1977.) A riddle, “Why is grandpa always reading the Bible?”

Spiritual Thickness How thick are your spiritual resources? “In order to confront the question and challenges of older adulthood, a person must be girded by a “thickness’ of spiritual resources. In other words, the transition to older adulthood must first be made in the spiritual dimension.” Kimble, M. (2001) “Beyond the Medical Paradigm” Journal of Religious Gerontology, vol 12 ¾, p. 39.

Spiritual Thickness Exercise With the crayons provided draw two pictures. You are walking down a street and you see two persons. Picture 1: A person who seems to have spiritual thickness Picture 2: Someone who clearly does not Once the pictures have been drawn turn to 3-4 of the people around you, share you pictures and identify the traits of a person who has spiritual thickness Remember the rules: Share your crayons Don’t eat the crayons Never laugh at anyone else’s artistic talents!

4 things

Religion contributes 4 things 1. Prayer matters (See: Harold Koenig, Larry Dorsey) 2. People use religion as a coping mechanism (See: Harold Koenig, Ken Pargament) 3. Human values and ethics are often learned from religion. In this way religions are often involved in cultural transition as well. 4. Religions Congregations provide social services (See: Tobin, Ellor, Anderson-Ray)

Religion Impacts Health Religious activity is associated with longer life, particularly when the person is involved in community There is an association between religion and adaptation to medical illness Religious activity is associated with better compliance with antihypertensive therapy. Religiously involved persons are less likely to engage in risky health behaviors, such as smoking.

Religion and Mental Health Level of religious commitment predicts speed of recovery from depression Correlates with adaptation to disability Over 850 studies have been made to examine the correlation between mental health and religion and the majority of those studies find positive associations with better outcomes for those who are religious.

Religion and Coping Offering religious help to others, prayer, is most powerful predictor of quality of life. Reappraising God as benevolent Collaborating with God Seeking a connection with God Reframing theodicy Turning to clergy at times of crisis Best resources for these concepts: Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping. New York: Guilford Press.

Religion and the Immune System Religion can be up lifting for cancer patients Religion can offer a new focus, on life rather than on the disease Religion can bring support from others that also provides an up lifting emotions Religion can provide symbols that can be uplifting even at those quiet times when others are not around for support.

Health Behavior Change Knowledge: the more you know, the more you can recognize the nature of the problems. Self-concept: We tend to behave in ways that make us feel better about our self as a person Group support: The amount and nature of support can solve health problems Value orientation: Our awareness of what we value affect our decisions on health behaviors. Sense of control: The degree to which we feel we can really change our health affects what we do Cultural Traditions: Our culture teaches us certain beliefs and options and prevents us from our own health. “drunks are funny” “clean your plate” “seeking emotional help is a sign of weakness.” Reed-Flora & Lang, (1982) Health Behaviors. West publishing.

Religion and Health Promotion Models in local churches in audience Health Cabinet Parish Nurse Emotional support at times of crisis Church groups that provide support Role models of survivors Role models of how to cope

A final thought Growing up, growing old, but always growing may be the key to healthy aging.