Old Age, the Bible,

Society and the Church

The “GOOD OLD AGE”

Or “Days of Trouble”? Eccl. 12:1

Gen. 25:8

In the 21st century, the most significant event will be the

ageing of humanity.

Joseph Chamie, Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective, Congressional Briefing 21 May 2007,

It has important and far-reaching implications for individuals, all aspects of society and the

Seventh-day Adventist Church

“The median age of Seventh-day Adventist in North America is 51.

David Beckworth, S. Joseph Kidder, Reflections on the future of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America: Trends and challenges, MINISTRY, Dec.2010

In the 21st century, the most significant event

will be the ageing of the Church

OLD SDA MEMBERSHIP

65+years

85+

32% over 65 years

Getting Old (Aging) is a PROCESS that converts a

relatively healthy, fit organism into one that is less healthy and fit

Aging is a biological,

physiological, mental, social

process

What does the Bible and Scholarship say

about this Inevitability ?

“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 ESV

1991 2000 2002 201066

68

70

72

74

76

78

80

82

71.8

74.3 74.5

76.2

78.879.7 79.9

81.17

Men WomenLif

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xp

ec

tan

cy

(in

Ye

ars

)

Longevity according to the Bible

Longevity in the US

1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; 3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; 4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; 5 when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets. 6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

and the wheel broken at the well,… Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Biology and Physiology of Old Age

DAYS OF TROUBLE (Old

Age)

keeper of the house tremble

looking through.. grows dim

afraid of high places

stoop

grinders cease

caperberrydoors closed

rise up at the sound of birds

almond tree blossoms

Grasshopper drags itself

along

desire no longer

Ecclesiastes View of Old Age

DAYS OF TROUBLE

(Old Age)

keeper of the house

tremble looking

through.. grows dim

afraid of high places

stoop

grinders cease

caperberrydoors closed

rise up at the sound of

birds

almond tree blossoms

grasshopperdrags itself

along

desire no longer

Rising up early,

not able to sleep late.

Hearing loss

Tooth decay & loss

Back slumping and becoming feeble

Arms and hands shake

Vision suffers

Afraid of a high place & fear of

injury, falling

Halting walk,can’t carry

burden

Aphrodisiacs no longer

work

White hair

Ecclesiastes View of Old Age:Interpretation

30% over age 65 have impairment

Resting cardiac output is decreased to70% of capacity by age 70

65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percent of Adults with Disabili-ties

(National Center for Health Statistics, 1999)

Age Group

Pe

rce

nt

Most Prevalent Chronic Conditions in Later-life

1. Arthritis2. Hypertensive Disease3. Heart Disease4. Hearing Impairments5. Musculoskeletal impairments6. Diabetes7. Visual Impairments8. Dementia9. Cancer

48%

Cognitive Changes with Age

• Verbal intelligence scores hold steady with age, while nonverbal intelligence scores decline

• (adapted from Kaufman & others, 1989).

20 35 55 7025 45 6575

80

85

90

95

100

105Intelligence(IQ) score

Age group

Nonverbal scoresdecline with age

Verbal scores arestable with age

Verbal scoresNonverbal scores

28 %34%

47%53%

Difficulty with Activities of Daily Liv-ing80-84 85+

28 %

34%

47%

53%

Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living80-84 85+Age

DressingAmbulatingHygiene

ShoppingHouseworkTransportation

DressingAmbulatingHygiene

ShoppingHouseworkTransportation

You’re feeling great? That’s unusual…We’d better run some

tests…”MD

“When you get old everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work!”

Does that mean that you can’t enjoy life?

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. Proverbs 20:29

Characteristics of Old Age

“Older men are to be self-controlled,.. sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. In the same way, older women are to be reverent…, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine…” (Titus 2:2-3).

“Follow the instruction the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life…” (Deuteronomy 5:33).

“Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land …” (Exodus 20:12).

For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:10-11).

Conditions for a Long Life

“If you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments …I will give you a long life” (1 Kings 3:14).

Requirements of the Old

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Deuteronomy 32:7

Hear this, you elders; …Tell your children about it,..” (Joel 1:2-3).

“Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.” Job 32:7 “Wisdom is with aged men. With long life is understanding” Job 12:12

Dangers in Old Age

“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods. “ 1 Kings 11:4

Old must be careful because Fluid Intelligence declines rapidly in old age

Inductive reasoning

Kassin, S. (2001). Psychology

Care of the AgedRespect them

“You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old… I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32).

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).

Families have an obligation

“Now if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

God will take Care of the Old

I will be the same until [your] old age, and I will bear [you] when you turn gray. I have made [you], and I will carry [you]; I will bear and save [you]” (Isaiah 46:3-4).

Growing Old Successfully according to Scholarly

Theoriesand the Bible

Successful aging occurs when people maintain the interests, activities, and social interactions with which they were involved during middle age.

The well-adjusted older adult takes on a variety of productive activities in voluntary work, churches, leisure organizations

The more active, the greater life satisfaction, positive self-concept, and adjustment in late-life

World’s Oldest Marathoner, 94

Activity Theory

Havighurst & Colleagues, 1963

They will still bear fruit in old age… (Ps. 92: 14a)

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Hear this, you elders; …Tell your children about it,..” (Joel 1:2-3).

Activity Theory according to the Bible

Individuals play variety of social roles in their lifetimes …

How well individuals adjust to aging depends on how well they accept the role changes typical of later years

Older adults must deal with role losses; these can lead to an erosion of social identity and self-esteem

Successful Aging

Role Theory (Cottrell, 1942)

Gradual withdrawal from the world on physical, psychological, and social levels; people withdraw from the world and the world compels the elderly to withdraw (e.g., retirement)

Older adults withdraw from participation in activity

Elders disengage emotionally from others and from events

Decreased interaction

Disengagement Theory

Disengagement is beneficial for both the aging individual and society in order to minimize the social disruption caused the eventual death

Cummings & Henry, 1961

Maintain a balance of continuity and change in both the internal and external structures of their lives.

Substitutes similar roles for lost ones

As we age we become more of what we were

Past counts - basic personality, attitudes, and behaviors remain constant throughout the life span

• Successful aging is characterized by how much continuity the elder has with similar activities and how willing he/she is to accept inevitable changes

Atchley, 1989

Continuity Theory

Disintegrated & disorganized personalities Unable to accept aging Experience despair as they age

Passive-dependent personalities Lead lives filled with fear of illness, future

Inability to cope Defended personalities

Seek to ward off aging May try to act young

Exercise vigorously Youthful activities

Integrated personalities Most successful Cope comfortably with aging Accept becoming older & maintain self dignity~Most people studied fell into the final category

Different personality types deal with Old Age differently according to Bernice Neugarten’s Study

John Peter Paul Mark Sanguine - phlegmatic melancholic -

choleric

Different personality types deal with Old Age

differently according to Bernice

Neugarten’s Study

Albrecht Dürer, The Four Apostles , 1526

Disintegrated & disorganized personalities “yet the span [of life] is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 ESVPassive-dependent personalitiesDefended personalitiesIntegrated personalities Abraham “…died at a ripe old age, old and contented,…” (Genesis 25:8). “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” 2Cor 4:16

These people continued to have a successful life and a

“GOOD OLD AGE” (80s/90s)

Giuseppe Verdi, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Arthur Rubenstein, Martha Graham, George Bernard Shaw, Georgia O’Keefe, Winston Churchill, Frank Lloyd Wright

“GOOD OLD AGE” OR

“Days of Trouble”?

1. Depends on certain circumstances

2. Personality type3. And personal decisions

Good physical and mental health are important in determining an

elderly person's sense of well-being. (Arthritis & Dementia most common causes of disability among people age 65 and older) Financial security Sense of autonomy and independence A positive outlook on life

Meaning and Purpose of Life. If a person believes his or her life has worth and “life contributions” will live on after death, the person experiences great satisfaction . Robert Peck

A person must remain as active as possible. “Activity Theory” & Bernice Neugarten

Conditions & Suggestions for a “GOOD OLD AGE”

Importance of Social Relationships

Religious older people are physically and mentally healthier

“Religious older people are

physically and mentally

healthier”Page X

Conditions & Suggestions for a “GOOD OLD AGE” cont.

Wishing You a“GOOD OLD AGE”

and very few “Days of Trouble”?