As we age, we often find ourselves spending more time alone. Older adults are also at a higher risk for loneliness and social isolation as a result of health changes that can come with growing older — hearing, vision, and memory loss, disability, and  trouble getting around.

Romance scams are on the rise, and loneliness and new technology have contributed to the increase. In 2022, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 7,000 reports from older adults 60+ who were victimized by romance/confidence scams losing nearly $419 million. 

We live in a death-denying culture and most of us would prefer not to think about death and dying. We shove it out of our minds, speak about it only in muffled tones, and keep it at a great distance. But not to think of death is not very smart because we all have a date with it.

Ageism can shorten a lifespan by 7.5 years, according to a 2002 study by Becca Levy. Individuals with a more positive self-perception of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions.

The Elder Index, developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, shows that nearly 5 million older women living alone, 2 million older men living alone, and more than 2 million older couples have incomes that make them economically insecure.

While retirement has changes and challenges, it also provides opportunities to embark on new adventures. ENCORE Ministry Director Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler provides an inspiring and alternative view of retirement.

It is unusual for experts on aging not only to live into advanced age, but also to write about it with the voice of experience. Dr. Richard L. Morgan, who died on March 25 at age 93, was such a rare person. Dr. Morgan was a Presbyterian minister and much else, too: a widely read author and founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Clergy Network, the first national advocacy coalition bringing all faiths together against Alzheimer’s.

Elder abuse affects older people across all socioeconomic groups, cultures, and races and can occur when they are disconnected from social supports. While older adults may experience the same crimes as other age groups — including financial, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect — they are less likely to report the crime and recover from their victimization.

With the graying of America and our churches, older adult ministry is now more important than ever. The new Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference includes organizations devoted to older adult ministry that have their roots in the legacy Tennessee and Memphis conferences.