John recently retired as an Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. He received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University, and was commissioned an officer in the United States Army through the ROTC program. He served in Vietnam and retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserves. He was the Training Officer for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for over seven years. He holds two Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Secondary Education and his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Oklahoma. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in 2005. Recently he has met the state requirements to be a Divorce and Family Mediator. He and his wife Alma co-chair the diocesan Committee on Senior Ministry and both serve on a national committee on Senior Ministry for the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Alma Belzer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1970 and worked 20 years as graphic artist, technical illustrator and art director. She made lifelong learning her personal goal and field of study, which led to a Master’s in Human Relations and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Belzer has worked in aging services for the past 20 years yet has continued to find ways to combine art and aging issues. In 2009 she coordinated the 1st annual “Active Aging Photo Contest” for the OU Health Sciences Center with the Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center. Since her retirement from DHS Aging Services Division in 2007, Dr. Belzer has served part-time as Clinical Assistant Professor at the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, OU College of Medicine, where she assists with classes and conferences. This will be her 20th year with the Summer Geriatric Institute! |
Links |
• Older Adult Formation, ECUSA
• Older Adult Formation, Task Force, ECUSA
Aging, Spirituality, and Religion, Volume 1 published in 1995 by Fortress Press, provided the sociological, psychological, and theological perspectives for examining the ways in which spirituality and religion are experienced by aging persons in our society. As such, it provided the theoretical foundations for considering aging, spirituality and religion. Volume II picks up where Volume I left off—with practical advice and tools for ministry with the aging in a variety of settings. Gerontological and theological perspectives undergird the practical guidance and a final section treats of the unique ethical issues involved in ministry with the aging.
• Ask Alban: Ministry to and With Older Adults
• Assorted Resources
• Senior Ministries: Episcopal Diocese of Washington
• Viewpoints on Aging: A blog of Episcopal Senior Ministries |
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For Your Information
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A Message from the Belzers
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We have been concentrating on developing an Older Adults Ministry in parishes across Oklahoma, to raise awareness of this vital and growing demographic group, to focus on seniors serving seniors. We are very excited about sharing ideas with Province VII folks!
It has also been our honor to participate in the Senior Adult Ministry Task Force in NYC, joining Vycke McEwen of our Diocese and other gerontologists and priests in developing an Older Adults Ministry (OAM) Resolution for the General Convention. |
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Older Adult Ministries:
A Resolution to Care
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The following resolution was passed at the General Convention in Annaheim:
Resolution: D004
Title: Task Force on Older Adult Ministries
Topic: Aging
Committee: 10 - Social and Urban Affairs
House of Initial Action: Bishops
Proposer: Mrs. Vycke McEwen
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 76th General Convention authorize the creation of a 12 member Task Force on Older Adult Ministries to determine programs currently being offered by congregations, dioceses and provinces, to establish a method of sharing this information, and to explore ways the church can expand this ministry to connect with one another in intergenerational opportunities; and be it further
Resolved, that the Task Force would formulate a comprehensive plan to raise awareness and address the emerging crisis in health, caregiving and faith issues which cross generational and economic lines with emphasis on support of Congregational, Diocesan and Provincial programs for older adult ministry; and be it further
Resolved, that the Task Force will be comprised of individuals with a background in this ministry area and will represent a cross section of our church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will work collaboratively with the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center and report annually to the Executive Council and provide a complete written report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, that the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $35,000* for the implementation of this resolution.
* The amount actually budgeted is $15,000.
EXPLANATION
Many retired people model an active lifestyle by becoming mentors and educators of other parishioners and by providing leadership in service to the elderly. Over one in three Episcopalians is age 65+ and they range from very active to the homebound members. Another 41% are age 45-64, which means 3 of every 4 members are age 45 or older. Currently one in every eight Americans is age 65 or older, and over one in four live alone. Every hour, 330 Americans reach the age of 60. These same baby boomers will start turning 65 during this triennium. Within 10 years, the age 85+ population will increase by 40%. This unprecedented rapid growth of the older adult population nationwide and worldwide and the resultant challenges to the social and economic system demands response from the church. To raise awareness of these opportunities and challenges, the work of this proposed task force is in concert with the priorities for the mission of the church as established by the Executive Council in the following ways:
DOING JUSTICE AND ALLEVIATING POVERTY by encouraging outreach to homebound, institutionalized and all those marginalized through poverty and illness. This brings Christ's message of love and hope through a ministry by, with and for older adults, their families, and caregivers.
CLAIMING OUR IDENTITY by calling attention to the contributions of older adults to the church, while promoting their roles in developing spiritual and service ministries by, with and for all generations.
GROWING CONGREGATIONS by developing ways to recognize and honor the wisdom and gifts of older adults in the life of the church and community.
STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE AND FOUNDATIONS FOR MISSION and PROMOTING ANGLICAN PARTNERSHIP by recognizing that this work cannot be done without the awareness and collaboration of a myriad of church, faith-based and community resources. This would encourage a new kind of networking matrix for the church nationwide and worldwide. |
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Senior Adult Facts
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compiled by Dr. Alma Belzer
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FACTOID # 1
The unprecedented rapid growth of the older adult population nationwide and worldwide, and the resultant burden on the social and economic system demands that the church address this crisis. Currently 1 in every 8 Americans is age 65 or older and over 1 in 4 of these seniors live alone. Every hour, 330 Americans reach the age of 60. In two years, these same "baby boomers" will start turning 65. Every 10 years, the age 85+ population increases by 40%.
FACTOID # 2
Older Americans Month began when President John F. Kennedy designated May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 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. The majority of older adults live with relatives. More than eight out of ten long-term care services are provided by unpaid family caregivers. 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. Every year, one in three persons over age 75 fall and 20% of these will have a moderate-to-severe injury. Persons who fall once are highly likely to have a second fall. See www.fallprevention.org for ways to reduce falls in the community. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR CHURCH?
FACTOID # 5
"According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 214,000 Americans could be 100 or older by 2010. By 2050, that number could exceed 4,200,000." What may be more surprising is the fact that the fastest growing segment of our population is the 85+ age group! The ten states with the highest percentage of the total U.S. population are California (10.1%), New York (8.4%), Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan. That Florida is only 24th when it has the largest share of those age 65+ may be because the state attracts the healthier "young old" while those much older return to their origin state to be cared for by their families. 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! www.ckokc.org/centenarian-club-of-oklahoma . How can the consideration of these facts impact planning for senior adults in your congregations and communities?
This handout was provided as an attachment to the Adult Education Newsletter published by LeaderResources, Spring 2009. |
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