Evangelical Friend, September 1977 (Vol

Digital Commons @ George Fox University Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church Evangelical Friend (Quakers) 9-1977 Evangelical Friend, September 1977 (Vol. 11, No. 1) Evangelical Friends Alliance Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/nwym_evangelical_friend Recommended Citation Evangelical Friends Alliance, "Evangelical Friend, September 1977 (Vol. 11, No. 1)" (1977). Evangelical Friend. 45. https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/nwym_evangelical_friend/45 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church (Quakers) at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Evangelical Friend by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. learning to face the later · 2 EVANGELICAL FRIEND LEARNING TO FACE THE LATER YEARS BY PETER J. HAMPTON No one who lives long enough can escape old age. Yet can remain young, we must face the fact that our bodies many of us try. Our culture is youth oriented to such an and our minds gradually lose in their capacities as we extent that people on the threshold of old age frequently become older. Thus we must learn to live with the reduced continue to delude themselves into believing they are still functioning capabilities of our senses, our vital organs, our young. And so they refrain from acting their own age. circulatory systems, and our nervous systems. Millions of dollars are spent every year on feeding the Our physical strength and the rest of our functions delusions of youthfulness, with the result that when old diminish as we get older; our visceral clocks run slower; age finally comes, we act surprised and all too often are our senses lose in accuity; and our physical dexterities have tragically unprepared for it. to give up their fine honing. These facts we must accept Why not? Our bodies tell us from the very beginning and learn to live with. We must slow down in our physical that the aging process is a natural process. Aging extends and mental efforts, but never cease to contribute in accor over a long period of time. Is it then not reasonable to dance with our capabilities to perform physically and prepare for old age so that we can face it more effectively mentally. with all the knowledge and skills and wisdom that we have gained over a long period of living? The answer obviously To remain healthy within reason as we proceed into is yes. the later years, we must take precautions so that we will be In a recent essay entitled "Can We Learn to Get Old?" less susceptible to disease and injury. Moderation becomes Doctor Erika Horn, writing in the Austrian magazine the key word in guidance-moderation in eating, in physi Steirische Berichte, suggests that we can and must learn to cal exertion, and in the use of our senses. Motivation and become old. We must prepare for our later years so that greater attention to rest and emotional equilibrium must we can face them with strengths and positive attitudes. The remain. lessons we must learn include the following. Withdrawal from society should be taboo. Continuing active participation in our society is difficult but remains Accepting responsibility for your own health imperative. Retiring, in essence, must become a shift in Instead of thinking that old age happens to others and activities, not a cessation of activities; a diminution of acti not to us, instead of continuing to delude ourselves that we vities, but never a giving up of activities altogether. We must remain active participating members of our society Concerns grow. Friends' interest in ministry to the retired to remain reasonably healthy in body and mind. (and a ministry for th e retired) is a growing concern. The following feature is a thoughtful and well-researched observation prepared by Dr. Peter J. Hampton, Director Rekindle and maintain dormant interests of Developmental Programs and Associate Professor of During a busy and fruitful life of necessity we had to Psychology at the University of Akron (Ohio). His wife Elsie is also a psychologist, and they carry on a private practice postpone a number of interests that we would have liked together. They have four children ages nineteen to to pursue but were unable to because of lack of time and twenty-eight. too many responsibilities. These interests can now be SEPTEMBER 1977 3 rediscovered and activated. Such interests include not Devote yourself to stimulating learning projects only interests in hobbies and recreational activities, but Learning should never end. When formal learning also interests in a variety of things, ideas, and people. ceases, informal learning should continue right up to the During our later years we can resume interests in edge of the grave. Excellent opportunities have recently poetry, philosophy, and religion. It is at this time that been provided for senior citizens to participate in a variety we can experience vicariously through reading such adven of learning projects. Courses on practically every subject tures, for instance, as climbing a mountain, descending into imaginable are now available to the older person. the bowels of the earth, warming ourselves in the pleasures The choices seem unending and the selections are mani of a Polynesian island, or watching the turbulence of a fold-Chinese painting, beginning algebra, magic for fun volcanic eruption. and entertainment, gardening at home, film appreciation, It is at this time that we can become farmers once "I'm OK-You're OK," improving your personality, and so more if we wish, collectors of seashells, rocks, or old the list goes. books. If we have the necessary capital, we can even While to know is not necessarily to do better, knowl indulge in such escapades as buying gold bullion, famous edge does help us to manage our affairs in such a way that paintings, interesting real estate, or even a share in a ball we can more readily make the most of our opportunities club or TV station. and our responsibilities as senior citizens. The long-delayed interests that are activated later in The importance of learning as we age lies not only in life provide us with the attraction and the propulsion that the fact that we acquire more knowledge and sharpen our we need to participate in the ongoing drama of life. skills, but also in the fact that since things are constantly Friends and Creative Aging BY GEORGE MOORE In 1900 about 4 percent of the or handicapped persons are registered, Newberg Friends Church has added population of the U.S. was over 65; coming and going during the hours a pastoral team member as a minister today it is nearly 12 percent. Should the house is open-from 7: 30 a.m. to the "Third Age." More than not the church be vitally interested to 6:00p.m. five days a week. 150 constitute this segment of the in the process of growing old congregation in Friendsview Manor gracefully, productively, with the Christian fellowship, loving care, and and the community. Visitation, not blessing of God on our lives? a home away from home (an only in nursing homes but in homes institutional atmosphere is avoided) and apartments, helps to identify One Friends meeting for more than have come to mean a great deal to both spiritual and physical needs a decade has sponsored a "Young these who form a kind of family at Heart" club to provide social and to answer the problem of relationship. A physical therapist loneliness and adjustment to life-role outlets in biweekly meetings. Field gives part-time assistance to those changes. trips, a regular Bible study, sack benefiting from this aid. A hot meal lunches shared in a common meal, is served at noon. A staff of four The Third Age people are seen as musical concerts, and all sorts of some full-time, others part-time-and vital to the church body, important programs are enjoyed by more than yet several other volunteers from in all types of Christian witness 40 retirees. The "club" is open to the meeting are in charge. The and service. A "49ers" group meets anyone, not just members of the entire effort is seen as a ministry monthly. "Fireside" groups in meeting. by the meeting and certainly homes have become popular. A Bob Smith gave up a $30,000-a-year by Bob Smith and other staff. Senior Appreciation Day is held administrative position to become with special recognition given to the director of an adult day-care center Senior adults over 62 are offered various backgrounds and to the for senior citizens sponsored by free tuition at George Fox College significant services these have or Reedwood Friends Meeting in since 1967. Several have obtained are giving to the life of the church. Portland, Oregon. (His starting salary degrees since that time. Dr. Julia Friends United Meeting has given there is about $12,000.) Hobbs directs a federally funded a great amount of study to the program on campus titled "Older preparation for retirement and to The program, started two years ago, Adult Program for Outreach." Its gerontology as it relates to the church has the approval and encouragement stated objectives are to acquaint at both the local and yearly meeting of various state agencies and the mature, older adults with levels. Creative Aging, edited by specific affirmation of the Governor's opportunities of higher education, Harold Tollefson, is a helpful Committee on Aging. The program to develop an outreach and counseling publication and may be ordered is in an older home that once program to help the older students through Meeting Ministries was a fine mansion, now called to higher aspiration levels, and to Commission, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Lambert House.

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