From the Network of Older Adult Ministries
DID YOU KNOW...
FACTOID # 1 Every hour, 330 Americans reach the age of 60. These same "baby boomers" have started turning 65. In the next 10 years, the age 85+ population will increase by 40%. The 85+ age group is already the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population!
FACTOID # 2 In1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation declared May as Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those age 65+ through ceremonies, events and public recognition. The following is a quote from President Carter's book, The Virtues of Aging, "We worry too much about something to live on -- and too little about something to live for."
FACTOID # 3 Over one in four people age 65+ live alone. Half of women age 75+ live alone. Only 4% of the 65+ age group live in nursing facilities and over half of them receive no visitors. One in three family caregivers caring for older relatives are themselves aged 65+.
FACTOID # 4 Every minute of the day, three older adults are treated in the emergency department for a fall. Every hour, falls result in the death of two older adults. See www.fallprevention.org for ways to reduce falls in the community.
FACTOID # 5 An estimated 214,000 Americans will be 100 or older by 2010. By 2050, that number could exceed 4,200,000. Some states across the country are following Oklahoma's lead in forming a "Centenarian Club" to honor and celebrate the hundreds of hundred-year-olds in their state! See www.ckokc.org/centenarian-club-of-oklahoma
... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR CHURCH?
6. If the majority of leadership, presence, gifts and services are provided by older parishioners who are the fastest growing age group everywhere, what would your church look like without them?
7. Surveys show 75% of older adults say religion is the most important influence in their life. They say this. How important are they to you and your church?
8. Stereotypes of aging overlook the fact that we actually become less alike in our needs, interests and spiritual growth as we grow older. One size does not fit all older adults. How are you and your church responding to these differences?
9. Economic losses as well as other losses have been experienced and surmounted by most older adults. How can you and your church draw on this wisdom to guide younger generations through their losses.
... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR CHURCH?
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