Center Sage (Spring 2006)
Contents:
Health and Wholeness in the Later Years
by Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.
 During the past hundred years, people living in the United States have on average gained thirty years of life, thanks largely to a reduction of deaths at childbirth and infancy and to the control of diseases associated with old age. In recent years, gerontologists have come to understand that lifestyle choices may be far more important to longevity and life expectancy than heredity or genes.
Health and wholeness are important issues for leaders of older-adult ministries. Helping older adults experience meaningful later years involves the health of the whole person: spiritual, social, emotional and physical. As leaders (of older-adult ministries and/or parish nursing), we cannot ignore
or shortchange any of these areas in our ministry with older adults. Congregations have the responsibility to assist their older members to gain the mindset of being better stewards of their personal health resources. Helping older adults make healthy lifestyle choices is necessary for ministry.
An interagency "Health and Wholeness Committee" within The United Methodist Church is working to build awareness, action, and advocacy for health-related ministries across the church. The general secretaries of the General Board of Church and Society, the General Board of Global Ministries, the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and Untied Methodist Communications created the "Health and Wholeness Committee." Initial emphases will be on clergy wellness, eradication of malaria, children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and access to health care.
During 2006, several church resources will be publishing articles on health and wholeness (for example, Interpreter, New World Outlook, Circuit Rider, FaithLink, and Response magazines). Because of our concern for the health and wholeness of older adults, Center Sage newsletter is devoting this issue to health-related topics for seniors. We hope you find this issue informative and stimulating for your ministry.
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 Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. is the Directorof the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee.
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