Visiting & Serving Seniors

The elderly were once more respected, honored, revered in our culture. Unfortunately today some seniors are cast away, seen as a burden, and even taken advantage of at times. What a contrast to the clear guidance laid out for the Church in the Word of God:

  • “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” Lev 19:32
  • “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
  • “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.” 1 Tim 5:1-2

Every Christian has a role to honor and care for the elderly, the vulnerable, in our society today as exhorted in James 1:27a: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction”

Endless opportunities exist to serve the elderly and visit the widow today. Walk three doors down the street and help your elderly neighbor rake their lawn, visit a nearby nursing home and build relationships, or even make a phone call to check in on seniors who live by themselves. However you serve our beloved seniors, restore the honor due them and glorify God with the love of Christ.

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Devastating Statistics

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

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Becoming Wise, Imparting Wisdom

Are you hearing God’s call to set up a nursing home or assisted living ministry?

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What My Caregivers Should Know About Me

I have been caring for my mother-in-law in our home for about a year now...If she could tell us about herself, I believe this is what she might say.

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Video: Visting Our Beloved Elders

Watch as Ellie Bowman discusses how she loves our beloved elders through visiting.

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The Questions You Can’t Answer

What started as a typical visit to your elderly mother, quickly introduces you to a whole new world of responsibilities and decisions.

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Eldercare: Down and Dirty, Part 1.

We faced blow-out diapers, milk stains, projectile vomiting, and more with our babies. But what about when an elder comes, not just to visit, but to live with us?

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Christmas Tips for Caregivers

I once estimated that during December I added 60-80 hours of additional work to my already busy life as a wife and homeschool mom.

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Practical Tips for Handling Your Elder’s Laundry

There are times when I think my washer works as hard as I do. I remember having a breakdown one difficult, post-partum day following the birth of our fifth son.

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Tax Advice for Caregivers

When you bring an elder into your home, often the last thing you are thinking about is the tax implications.

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Book Review: Family Squeeze

Get ready for a good laugh and to be encouraged by Phil Callaway’s book Family Squeeze: Tales of Hope and Hilarity for a Sandwiched Generation.

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Honor as the Priority

It’s taken me a long time to learn what God desires of us in biblically honoring our fathers. As a little boy I may have understood the meaning of obedience...

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Gimme a Break!

It is estimated that caregivers provide 40-100 hours of care per week for their loved ones. Those who work outside of the home average forty hours of caregiving (like a second full time job!)

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Book Review: The Hedge People by Louise Carey

Delightful, humorous memoir by a missionary to Guatemala who cared for her father-in-law for 2½ years.

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When the Caregiver Flies the Coop

Anyone who has cared for another person for any length of time soon realizes the need for a break.

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Out and About with Your Loved One

It can be a lot of work to take an older person with you. Think about what was necessary when you took your young children with you to the store or out to eat.

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"What’s for Dinner?" - Planning Your Elderly Loved Ones Meal's

Eating is one of the few joys that many seniors can still look forward to each day, so consider how you can make meals special. Try to serve foods of many colors on her plate.

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A Game Changer: Using Music in Caregiving

As caregivers we often have so many tasks calling our name that it is easy to become overwhelmed. But bringing music into your home can yield benefits far beyond the minimal time spent initiating it.

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Dealing with Dementia - Part 1: Early Signs

The newspapers and media are full of stories about Alzheimer’s and how it will impact the country over the next several decades as Baby Boomers age.

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Dealing With Dementia - Part 2

Among the biggest challenges in caring for a person with dementia are the handling of money and addressing emotional issues.

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