Each May, congregations are invited to observe Older Adult Recognition Day – the same month our nation observes Older Americans Month. The Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov/oam) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month and has chosen Aging Unbound as this year’s theme.
Churches may celebrate Older Adult Recognition Day on any day in May. By recognizing Older Americans Month, congregations celebrate the vital contributions of the older adults whose knowledge, expertise, faith experience, and talents make our communities stronger. By using the theme, Aging Unbound, congregations can explore an array of aging experiences free of society’s expectations and stereotypes.
Older Adults’ Perseverance and Diversity
Older adults persevered through disproportionate challenges during the COVID pandemic. In many ways, they played an important role in helping churches weather the crisis. Unfortunately, nearly 80% of those we have lost to COVID have been older adults.
Another reality is that older Americans are growing even more diverse. Factors such as life experiences, education, health, and economic and social conditions all impact the reality that no two older adults are exactly alike. Each older adult is a unique individual, with different needs, concerns, and abilities.
As a whole, the older adult population is less likely to be homogenous than perhaps any other age-cohort. Nearly one in four older adults identify themselves as a racial or ethnic minority. And this percentage is growing. This diversity of experiences is one of the greatest sources of a congregation’s strength.
Ideas for Observing Older Adult Recognition Day
- Observe Older Adult Recognition Day during a worship service. The purpose of this worship service is to introduce the congregation to aging in an effective, inspiring, and informative way. As you design the service, involve older adults in planning and leading the service. If you have a Sunday school class primarily made up of older adults, or your church has an active older-adult ministry team, meet with them for discussion and planning. Following the service, host a luncheon or dinner for all older adults. If a meal is not possible, serve light refreshments.
- Coordinate a class, workshop, or lecture on topics relevant to older adults. Examples include hosting a class on nutrition and eating the right foods or a class on balance and strength to encourage maintaining independence. Or, teach community members something new – how to find local resources, how to stay connected through technology, or how to start a new career or hobby. If possible, have an older adults lead the workshop.
- Host a fundraising event. The event could be as simple as a community walk or bake-off, with proceeds benefitting local programs serving older adults. Be sure to promote the work of individuals and organizations supporting older adults in your area.
- Conduct a mission or service project with older adults. This could be taking meals to homebound members or having older adults bake and take goodies to your local police or fire station. Other ideas include assembling and distributing bags of supplies for people experiencing homelessness in your community or creating birthday bags – birthday cake, hats, candles, and balloons – for a local food pantry.
- Coordinate community betterment activities. Options include picking up litter, painting a teachers’ lounge in a local school, or collecting food and clothing donations for people in need.
For more ideas for observing Older Americans Month and celebrating Older Adult Recognition Day, click here.
Dr. Richard Gentzler, director, oversees ENCORE Ministry’s mission of providing older adult ministry resources, leader training, and consultations. For more information, email Gentzler at rgentzler@encoreministry.org or call 615-400-0539.