The New Senior in the New Century with Dr. Charles Arn Important Trends Affecting Today’s Churches

u What do you know about aging? u Important aging trends and how they are affecting our churches u The “New Seniors”…who are they; and why they’re so important In our few moments together... The New Senior in the New Century

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

1. What is the life expectancy of the average American citizen? a) 67 yrs. b) 72 yrs. c) 77 yrs. d) 82 yrs. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

1. What is the life expectancy of the average American citizen? a) 67 yrs. b) 72 yrs. c) 77 yrs. d) 82 yrs.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 2. What percent of the American population is 65 years or older? a) 5% b) 8% c) 13% d) 19%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 2. What percent of the American population is 65 years or older? a) 5% b) 8% c) 13% d) 19%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 3. What percent of Americans 65+ years old are married? Women a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% Men Men a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77% a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 3. What percent of Americans 65+ years old are married? Women a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% Men Men a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77% a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 3. What percent of Americans 65+ years old are married? Women a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% a) 33% b) 43% c) 53% d) 63% e) 73% Men Men a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77% a) 37% b) 47% c) 57% d) 67% e) 77%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 4. Approximately what percent of people 65+ yrs. old live in convalescent hospitals or nursing homes? a) 5% b) 10% c) 20% d) 30%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 4. Approximately what percent of people 65+ yrs. old live in convalescent hospitals or nursing homes? a) 5% b) 10% c) 20% d) 30%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 5. What percent of senior adults in the U.S. live alone? a) 14% b) 26% c) 38% d) 51%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 5. What percent of senior adults in the U.S. live alone? a) 14% b) 26% c) 38% d) 51%

6. What percent of women over 65 years old are widows? a) 25% b) 35% c) 45% d) 55% WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

6. What percent of women over 65 years old are widows? a) 25% b) 35% c) 45% d) 55%

7. According to research, where do most older adults turn for help when feeling depressed? Women a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional Men Men a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

7. According to research, where do most older adults turn for help when feeling depressed? Women a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional Men Men a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

7. According to research, where do most older adults turn for help when feeling depressed? Women a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional Men Men a) spouse b) relative c) professional a) spouse b) relative c) professional

8. What percent of the U.S. population attend weekly religious services: Population at large a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% Senior adults Senior adults a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

8. What percent of the U.S. population attend weekly religious services: Population at large a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% Senior adults Senior adults a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56%

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING? 8. What percent of the U.S. population attend weekly religious services: Population at large a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% Senior adults Senior adults a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56% a) 15% b) 28% c) 42% d) 56%

9. When you look at your parish and see an increasing number of gray-haired adults, what is your response? a) “we need more young families” b) “this is a serious problem” c) “this is a great opportunity” WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

3 9. When you look at your parish and see an increasing number of gray-haired adults, what is your response? a) “we need more young families” b) “this is a serious problem” c) “this is a great opportunity” WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

10.Does your parish intentionally reach out to... a) the young families in your community b) the older adults in your community c) anyone at all? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AGING?

Important trends in our aging society… and what they mean for our churches… The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Focus on older adult life issues #1. TREND: The average life expectancy is rising… it is now 77.1 years. Persons who are 65 today can expect to live an additional 17.8 years. The New Senior in the New Century

What are older adult life issues? u Family (spouse, children, grandchildren) u Health (present & future) u Relationships (or the lack thereof) u Finances (will there be enough & passing it on) u Transitions (retirement, change in health, loss of spouse, relocation, etc.) u Meaning (productivity & significance) u Leisure (recreation) u Personal growth (education, new experiences) u Leaving a legacy (not being forgotten)

IMPLICATION: Support with issues related to dying, need for companionship, grief counseling, financial stability, and related ministry opportunities. #2. TREND: 700,000 women lose their husbands each year and will be widows for an average of 14 years. (US Census) The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Men's ministry, dating and remarriage, home economic issues #3. TREND: The number of widowers 65 years and older is 50% higher than 20 years ago, and growing. (US Census) The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Church giving, financial challenges, debt management #4. TREND: Household debt for those 65 years and older is up 164% in eight years, to $21,452 (compared with a 92% increase for those under 65. (USA Today, April 2002) The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Importance of fellowship, our relationships with others, living an abundant life #5. TREND: Research indicates that an active social life—even chatting with friends and relatives—helps seniors live better and longer lives. (Brenner Life Course Center, Cornell University) The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Handling negative emotions, the need to forgive and be forgiven, hope in Christ, positive outlook #6. TREND: A positive attitude prolongs life; while depression and hostility contribute to illness. (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky) The New Senior in the New Century

IMPLICATION: Use of older adults’ wisdom and experience for mentoring. #7. TREND: (New research shows that) aging brains are far more vigorous, resilient, and fertile than previously thought. “Our brains have an innate capacity for change no matter how old we are.” (Harvard Medical School, PBS series, The secret life of the brain) The New Senior in the New Century

Who is the “New Senior” Adult?

1. New seniors have goals they want to accomplish. 2. New seniors feel years younger than their chronological age. 3. New seniors look forward to the future. 4. New seniors would rather serve others than be served. 5. New seniors spend time with others who share their interests/concerns. Who is the “New Senior” Adult?

6. New seniors eat nutritionally and exercise regularly. 6. New seniors eat nutritionally and exercise regularly. 7. New seniors enjoy going out. 7. New seniors enjoy going out. 8. New seniors have supportive friendships and relationships. 8. New seniors have supportive friendships and relationships. 9. New seniors have a sense of humor. 9. New seniors have a sense of humor. 10. New seniors view retirement as a time for work, study, service, and play. Who is the “New Senior” Adult?

Suggestions for Ministering to and Reaching “New Seniors”…