Ageism – Adult Lutherans Organized for Action

Be Wise

Dr. Mary Manz Simon,
ALOA Board of Directors

Old people are wise. Those who live a long time have understanding. (NIRV)

I often turn to children’s Bibles for clear-cut translations of Scripture. The verse quoted above, Job 12:12, is an example.

Many versions frame the content in the form of two questions. I like to read this verse in declarative sentences. I need to be reminded that “old people are wise,” especially when I can’t figure out how to work our new Smart TV.

Gray hair gives us societal permission to offer feedback upon request. After all, we’ve lived a long time. But often, that same gray hair frames our words with unwanted authority; we become judgmental instead of helpful.

How can we give effective and helpful feedback?

View the request as an invitation to help. The tone says, “We can solve this together.” Often, collaborative connections result in solutions worth trying. A sense of ownership shapes the dynamic to work as a team.
Draw from your “experience bank.” Offer practical, realistic examples or observations. When people ask for advice, they usually aren’t looking for our personal history. They want ideas that work. You’ve solved problems and resolved situations. How did you do it?
Be honest. Did your solution work? Were there unexpected outcomes? What was the short-term impact? long-term result? Listen carefully if someone wonders aloud, “How will this work?” You might be able to offer additional observations that will make your feedback even more valuable.
Don’t avoid admitting, “I don’t know.” We might be wise, but we are still lifelong learners. Regardless of age, truly wise people are always eager to grow.

Check out this video to hear how our EQ increases as we age, equipping us to help those younger generations.

Take a look at previous posts for more inspiration for older adult ministry.

Having a “Senior Moment”?

Dr. Mary Manz Simon,
ALOA Board of Directors

Casual comments about possible memory loss have taken on a fresh sense of urgency this month as both President Biden and former President Trump have suffered obvious memory lapses.

Among the many media outlets recently reporting on these situations, The Washington Post interviewed multiple memory experts. Four facts are summarized below:

Memory peaks in our early twenties. As we age, mental processing speed declines.
Difficulty retrieving words, dates and information happens throughout life. However, a fuzzy memory is rarely noticed when we’re young. Awareness of memory issues attracts more attention as we age.
“Forgetting” is a normal part of memory. Because space is limited, our brain consolidates information, simply to unclutter the mind. We need to forget to make room for new experiences or information. However, the fresh input might shift or change a memory.
Our life stories form the core of our memory bank, so remembering is naturally selective.

The Old Testament prophet Job was correct when he wrote, “Old people are wise.” (12:12, NIRV) I’m only 76, so I’m optimistic that the second half of this verse will happen during the aging process: “Those who live a long time have understanding.”

Check out this video to find out how learning new things can help our brains grow and slow the process of aging.

Take a look at previous posts for more inspiration for older adult ministry.

Trend Spotting

Dr. Mary Manz Simon,
ALOA Board of Directors

Trend-spotters crawl out of the woodwork at this time every year.

Since the pandemic, the general public has paid more attention to these observations. After all, we have learned through experience that societal and cultural shifts can dramatically impact everyday life.

However, trends are merely a collection of impressions and reflections unless they offer insights that are significant to you.

As we prepare to begin 2024, which of these emerging trends are shaping your journey through aging?

Technology expands options to stay longer in our own homes. Wearable devices, telehealth and smart homes allow more older adults to stay in their own homes later in life. Are you among the three-quarters of Americans above the age of 50 who want to age More than 78 percent of older adult living communities are pet-friendly. Some facilities, especially memory care sites, even offer automated fur babies which offer health benefits without care responsibilities. Are you a pet owner?
Eco-friendly design options are increasingly popular. Choosing sustainable practices is especially important for older adults on a fixed income. In what ways do you prioritize energy efficiency, upcycling or other types of eco-sensitive living?
Active aging has surged. Preventing “functional decline” through health and wellness initiatives can redefine our later years. In what ways do you reject the stereotype of aging as “sitting in a rocking chair?”
More grandparents are raising grandchildren. The most recent census revealed that an increasing number of grandparents are primary caregivers for grandchildren. This lifestyle change dramatically moves beyond mere multigenerational living. Do you know an older adult who is raising grandchildren?
The “attention economy” stretches into a 24-hour day. Time becomes increasingly precious as we age. With the explosion of content and communication options, “cultural noise” and distractions are ever present. What influences how you invest your time?
Remote work expands possibilities for older adults. Instead of retiring, some older adults continue to be employed through the pandemic “spinoff” of flexible work environments. How many older adults in your friend-group still earn a paycheck?

Check out this video to find out more about how life stages impact the ways in which we share values.

Take a look at previous posts for more inspiration for older adult ministry.

Not a Laughing Matter!

Dr. Mary Manz Simon, ALOA Board of Directors

I confess. I’m guilty.

On rare occasions, I’ve joked that, “I’m too old for that,” or “At 73, I’m barely over the hill.” However, there’s no excuse for that self-inflected ageism.

If those attempts at humor reflect any underlying gloomy feelings about being old, the World Health Organization says my health is in jeopardy. People with negative views about their journey as an older adult live 7.5 years less than those with a positive attitude. Clearly, I need to give up my attempt at age-related humor!

Many of us can supply a genuinely funny phrase to finish the sentence, “You know you’re getting older when…” ALOA Board member Rich Bimler continually reminds us that we need to age joyfully.

Keeping life light with laughter can distract, at least temporarily, from some of the challenges of aging that are anything but funny.

We even read in the Bible that, ”A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Everyone can identify with many of the humorous anecdotes that are printed on greeting cards and appear in cartoons. Humor crosses cultural and generational lines. And if we want to generate a guaranteed laugh, an over-the-hill joke will always work. After all, aging is universal.

Research shows that an aging-induced decline in cognitive abilities can impact both the ability to understand humor and the ability to produce something funny. I was pleased to learn that older men and older women react differently to humor. We don’t respond equally to the irony in a punch line or the humor in a cartoon. That simple fact, not declining cognitive ability, clearly explains why I don’t laugh atmy husband’s jokes!

More research is needed to understand how growing older impacts what we consider funny and how humor can contribute to healthy aging. But in the meantime, we should be aware that ageist humor is a form of discrimination. “Harmless” age-related jokes can be potentially harmful to ourselves and others.All joking aside, that is no laughing matter.

Check out this video for more thoughts on ageism and what congregations can do to counteract it.

Take a look at previous posts for more inspiration for older adult ministry.

How SAGY Are You?

Mary Manz Simon, ALOA Board of Directors

Did You Have Any Idea You Were SAGY?

SAGY. Don’t be concerned if you don’t recognize that acronym. I made it up to highlight exciting news: Seniors are growing younger. SAGY is a perfect shortcut to describe this relevant fact of life.

SAGY describes what’s happening to us and our friends. Our functional ability today is better than those who were our age 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Functional ability characterizes what you and I did this morning: climbed out of bed, made breakfast, dressed, reviewed the schedule, prayed, and whatever else we did to get a good start. Functional ability describes the activities that fill our day.

Functional ability tests measure and gather information that can be used to plan the support services needed as we age. And guess what? Recent data released from researchers in Finland paralleled previous reports. Among both men and women aged 75-80, muscle strength, walking speed, reaction speed, reasoning, and other characteristics continue to improve when compared with data collected from those who came before us.

When we FaceTime a grandchild, finish a jigsaw puzzle, or chose oatmeal instead of a donut, we don’t stop to think, “I contributed to my functional ability.” But as long as we continue to make those great choices, you and I will be SAGY!

Take a look at previous posts for more inspiration for older adult ministry.

“Usher out gray-haired members?”

Are you shocked by this headline?
Cottage Grove church to usher out gray-haired members in effort to attract more young parishioners.

Published in the January 18 issue of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, this headline grabbed my attention.

The United Methodist congregation featured in the article had suffered the shrinkage experienced across traditional denominations. A complete reset was determined to be the way to grow the Cottage Grove location. According to one member, the aging membership has been asked to “continue maintaining the church until it reopens,” probably in November. “They want us to mow the lawn and shovel the snow.” Another member said, “We are supposed to be silent partners and still give money.”

According to the report, current members, most of whom are over the age of 60, will be invited to “worship somewhere else.” A memo recommends they stay away for two years, then consult the pastor about returning.

Some of us have faced ageism when younger workers are given the most lucrative projects or best equipment. Others have been turned down for a promotion or faced recruitment policies that limit eligibility to those with less than 20 years of experience. The list of examples goes on, but the recent newspaper story was a sharp reminder that the church is not immune to ageism.

I attend an older-skewing congregation, so leaders are alert to seniors who might not drive at night, so few evening meetings are scheduled. Bathroom stalls accommodate walkers and wheelchairs on the stair-free campus.

Outreach to children and families is important, but hopefully all congregations also budget for reaching older adults. With society’s changing dynamics impacting the development of spiritually healthy children, I pray that older adults everywhere are recruited to share their faith stories cross-generationally.

Attitudes won’t change overnight. However, our personal outlook and actions can encourage others to look beyond the numbers, so we all celebrate each day we are given.

We can join with one of the Cottage Grove church-goers who was quoted by the Pioneer Press, “I pray for this church, getting through this age-discrimination thing.”