In April FEMA began disbursing $2 billion — $9,000 per funeral — in funeral reimbursement. The money also covers cremation without other services. If the family incurs cemetery or memorial-related costs, FEMA’s funeral assistance will not fully cover those.

According to a May 16, 2021, posting on the Center for Disease Control’s website if you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.

Creative workarounds are helping senior adults at Cookeville First UMC stay connected and active during COVID: Adventures in Lifelong Learning and a seniors singing group that makes house calls.

Like many United Methodists churches, Germantown UMC has a high percentage of older adults. As chair of our church’s Older Adult Council, I realized that many older church members were going to have a hard time registering for the COVID vaccine due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • They don’t use a computer
  • They don’t have a printer
  • They don’t have a cell phone

by Dr. Jim Clardy Several months ago, the Senior Adults Growing, Exploring and Serving (SAGES) Ministry Team at Murfreesboro’s St. Mark’s United Methodist Church asked how they might respond to the pastoral needs of the congregation during the pandemic. Adapting a survey developed by Belmont United Methodist Church, 25 church members called a large number of St. Mark’s members to …

Dear Church Leader, The Bible begins with God taking a formless, empty, and dark earth and creating life in God’s image and declaring everything good (Genesis 1:1-31). Since we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), we understand ourselves to be co-creators with God. As co-creators, we can be grateful for the fact that the world’s scientists collaborated in new …

The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) is the designated state agency on aging and is mandated to provide leadership relative to aging issues on behalf of older persons in the state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TCAD is providing the following programs and services: Options for Community Living: In-home care, meals, homemaker and personal care services Public Guardianship: Court-appointment …

Social connections are important no matter our age. For many older Tennesseans, social isolation is a complex issue affecting their health status and quality of life. The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability has new support programs to help the state’s older adults who are facing social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Care Through Conversation program helps ensure …

In the United States, there is not yet an authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With the possibility of a limited supply of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of 2020, accurate vaccine information is critical. FACT: COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19 None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development …

During stressful times—like the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic—it’s more important than ever for pastors and lay volunteers to nurture healthy relationships with older adults. Because COVID-19 is spread when individuals are in close proximity to one another, older adults’ risk of contracting the virus increases as they are around more people. While many churches have renewed in-sanctuary worship, older adults can be at a greater risk worshipping in person. Yet, older adults face the challenges of isolation and loneliness when they stay at home.