What is Successful Aging?

What does it look like to embrace successful aging and age well in a culture that idolizes youth? How can we support the elderly, prepare for aging ourselves, and provide the acknowledgment and support that caregivers deserve?

In ancient times and in many Eastern cultures today, the elderly are treated with respect and even reverence. We can see this in Proverbs 16:31 where gray hair is called a “crown of glory. In other words, old age is an achievement and not a curse.

Jesus often spoke of children and used them as examples in a culture where they were dismissed or undervalued, and in the same way, the Bible speaks of many vulnerable populations, including widows, orphans, and the elderly, as groups that should be treated with greater care and respect, not less.

Aging in a Youth-Oriented Culture

In today’s Western culture, we glorify youth more than anything else. Aging is almost always spoken of in negative terms, and “You look so young!” is one of the best compliments you can give anyone over thirty.

While there’s nothing wrong or unbiblical with wanting to look your best, an entire culture that goes to great lengths and spends exorbitant amounts of money to get rid of every wrinkle and gray hair can negatively impact the concept of aging, the way we treat older people, and the way they exist among us. Mocking older generations is extremely common, especially among millennials and Gen-Z, and can be a symptom of a culture that disrespects the elderly and fears aging.

A Biblical Perspective on Successful Aging

For various reasons, including out of necessity, older people in the West most often live in retirement communities or full-time care homes separate from younger generations. This can result in isolation and loneliness.

Successful aging requires community, even if an older person does require full-time professional care, and the Bible has a lot to say about old age and how it relates to our walk with the Lord and community:

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4, NIV

In this verse God is promising his children that he will not abandon them in the weakness of old age; after all, he is the one who created them in the first place. The Creator is also the Sustainer.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Cor. 4:16, NIV

It can be difficult to accept the inevitability of aging and/or death, but this verse shows part of that acceptance process is knowing that outer/physical deterioration does not impact the renewing of our mind, soul, and spirit. We can rest assured that God will continue to refresh our souls, even as our bodies grow older.

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. – Lev. 19:32, NIV

This verse shows that respecting the elderly was one of God’s priorities for his people when he gave them the Law. The basis for this command was out of reverence for God, not man. When we show courtesy to the elderly, we are honoring the Lord.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. – Psalm 71:9, NIV

We see in the psalmist’s prayer the fear of abandonment that can accompany old age, and his request for God to be the one to not forsake him.

God’s standard for successful aging is different than ours. After all, he does not look on outward appearances as we do, but on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

That’s why all of the above Scriptures reference deeper truths:

• God’s continual protection and provision into the weakness of old age
• The awareness that we are still growing in our spirits although our bodies are aging
• Showing respect for the elderly as a form of reverence for the Lord
• The psalmist’s prayer that God would still be with him in the vulnerability of old age.

Meditating on the Bible’s perspective on aging can provide comfort for those who are entering old age, and those who love them.

Faith-Based Aging and Support

As Christians, we are called to live in community and walk in love, bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), including the burden of aging. While older people often provide support to younger people, as they move into old age that is often no longer possible, and younger people become the caregivers.

While we are all called to care for our own families as much as possible (1 Timothy 5:8), the church as a whole is also called to care for the weak and vulnerable.

Consider how God may call you to reach out to older people in your realm of influence. A simple conversation, visit, or shared meal can go a long way toward assuaging the loneliness that often accompanies old age.

Mental and Physical Health and Aging

An estimated 1 in 5 people over the age of fifty-five experience a mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairment. Risk factors include a lack of social and/or emotional support. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health concerns in this age group.

In cultures where intergenerational living is common, the elderly usually remain in the family home, which is beneficial for them. This setup can also cause strain on their caregivers. Families are often smaller than they used to be in the past, which means, for example, that the responsibility of caring for an aging parent may fall to one or two adult children, rather than several adult children.

Regardless of the specific decisions made for how caregiving will be accomplished, providing support for an aging family member, patient, or friend is a complex role that requires humility, sacrifice, and wisdom.

Chronic health conditions are often a part of the aging process, and mental health concerns are usually entwined with physical health concerns. When elders’ social and emotional needs are met, their mental and physical health can often improve or become more manageable.

While death is inevitable for all of us, in old age its inevitability becomes more evident. The comfort of God’s Word as one walks with him can be incredibly powerful as an elderly person passes through the valley of the shadow (Psalm 23:4).

Support for Caregivers

Caregiving is one of the most underappreciated and underrated roles in our society. Whether paid or unpaid, caregivers fill a hugely significant role and should ensure that they are taking the initiative about having their needs met as well.

If you are a caregiver, it’s crucial to take breaks, get help whenever possible, and balance other responsibilities with caregiving. Remember to show compassion to yourself as well as to the person you are caring for. It is an immensely difficult and important task to care for someone with dignity in their sunset years.

Counseling for caregivers acknowledges the enormity of this task and can provide you with ongoing support as you navigate the layered and complex concerns and decisions surrounding caregiving for an elderly family member, patient, or friend. Protecting your mental health is paramount and will benefit the person you are caring for as well.

Support for the Elderly

If the older person is willing and able to participate in counseling, it can be hugely beneficial for them as well. Although counseling and therapy are growing less stigmatized over the years, they often do still carry a stigma in the older generations. Individual or group counseling sessions can provide structure, support, and an outlet for conversations and processing as well as emotional support for you or your loved one.

Christian counseling for aging issues is available for you today. If you are interested, please call our office at [phone #] for more information, or contact us [link] to schedule your risk-free initial session.