pastoral thanatology certification

Healthcare 101: 5 Ways to Help the Elderly in the Aging Process

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Healthcare 101: 5 Ways to Help the Elderly in the Aging Process and Pastoral Thanatology Certification

The Administration on Aging (AoA) reports the percentage of Americans 65 and older will reach nearly 20% by 2030 stretching this country’s resources dedicated to caring for the elderly. Whether you are a care provider, family member or just interested in making a difference; there are a number of ways to help the elderly in the aging process.

Navigating Health Care

Many of the elderly in this country are not equipped to manage their own health. Encouraging the elderly to establish a relationship with a primary care provider gives them an entry point into the health care system. A physician can help elderly patients understand care options, seek preventative care and remain connected to health services.

Understanding Medicare

Health insurance under Medicare can be very complicated. Helping the elderly understand the different Medicare programs including Part A for hospital and hospice expenses, Part B for medical expenses, Part D for prescription drug costs, and Medigap enables them to contract for insurance and get the appropriate access to care.

Promoting Positive Lifestyle

Two major issues facing the elderly are falls and depression. The University of Nevada’s School of Medicine reports falls as the number one cause of injury related death for individuals age 75 and older. Appropriate exercise will not only help reduce the risk of falls, it will also help prevent depression. WebMD estimates that six million Americans age 65 and older are impacted by depression. The elderly need to socialize and remain physically active to minimize the risks of falls and depression.

Preparing for the Inevitable

Preparation of an advance directive and will can lead to peace of mind for many elderly. Conversations about advance directives and wills are easier when the individual is healthy. These activities are emotionally empowering when done pro-actively but emotionally draining when done re-actively.

Expanding Resources

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports continued job growth in the area of gerontology. The US will need to expand its available resources in both government and private sectors to support the aging population. Individuals with a masters in gerontology will be equipped to help build out the infrastructure and services necessary to meet the needs of the elderly population in the future.

The elderly population is going to continue to grow. There are a number of ways to help the elderly during the aging process but those who choose to help need to understand the unique challenges and needs of this group.

 

About the Author:

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

 

Also, if you would like to have a more direct input into this topic and you if you are qualified, consider a Pastoral Thanatology Certification from AIHCP.

 

Christian Dignity and End of Life Care

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Dying with Christian Dignity

Everyone’s ultimate cross and fate lies in death. For some death will come peacefully, others violently, while others will fight it to the end or meekly accept it. Whichever the case, all deserve dignity in their final moments. The Christian faith accepts death with dignity as a way of transformation from the temporal state to the eschatological state. In this transformation, life does not cease, but continues and is enhanced in the beatific vision for the just. Ultimately, even the temporal form of man, his body, will again taste life in the general resurrection.

Christianity faces death with dignity. It does not hope to trick death, fear death, or prematurely sacrifice oneself to it without greater cause. Christianity views death as the final cross and suffering where one  

can offer his or her pains to Christ in one last redemptive manner for one’s own sins and the sins of the world. The ironic ideal of death and suffering giving life and happiness is manifested when a Christian puts his faith and hope in Christ and accepts his or her cross. The ultimate paradigms of Christ and his saints show one how to accept these final moments; moments that differ from person to person in every way but ultimately lead to one destination which is God.  Counselors of Pastoral Care need to emphasize this and help people understand it as death approaches with their end of life care .

While Christ and his saints offer great insight into the acceptance of death, I would like to go beyond the mere spiritual preparation that involves prayer, sacraments, and other pious rituals. I would rather look at how a Christian within the modern world of science accepts death. Does the Christian seek an easy death that involves euthanasia, or does he seek to extend his life through every scientific means to the point of losing self identity? These are difficult questions but the church has given some insight for not only primary caregivers, but also for those competent enough to make the decisions regarding life and death in correlation with Christian dignity.
The terms ordinary and extraordinary measures are the foundation for such decisions in determining whether to prolong or cease life. Ordinary medical measures refer to any proven methodologies within the medical community that are needed in order for life to be maintained. Such examples would be any basic medications or proven surgeries that can cure the ailment. As Christians, we are called to accept the crosses that come with these procedures and choose life at all costs. Extraordinary measures, however, are measures that sustain life that are beyond the basic measures. Extraordinary measures could include experimental drugs, unproven surgeries and high risk procedures with no sure or certain outcome. Also included within this idea are any methods that sustain life artificially. Christians are given the option to choose or deny extraordinary measures. If they so choose, an extraordinary measure can be applied but the right to accept the natural consequences of death with human dignity is fully accepted within the Christian tradition. Such decisions on extraordinary measures are usually made by the patient if still lucid, but later fall to the family in order of legal authority.
Christians are to accept death with faith and hope and are encouraged to utilize modern medications and procedures but when these procedures and medications become overbearing and unfruitful, a Christian may with confidence meekly accept the final cross of his or her life and with love meet God in the afterlife.  If you are interested in Pastoral Thanatology Certification, please review the program.

By Mark Moran, MA