| |
|
|
 SENIOR LIVING - Reaching out to protect our seniors' independence
- The Catholic Sun (July 2008)
by Guy Mikkelsen
The snowbirds are gone, daily temperatures have risen and the annual celebration of our country’s birth is upon us. Friends and families will gather for barbecues and firework displays in backyards and parks, on lakes and hillsides across the land in what is undoubtedly the most festive and community-centered holiday on the American calendar.
Hot dogs and hamburgers, chicken and potato salad, lemonade, deviled eggs, brownies and watermelon, to name but a few favorites, will be featured at get-togethers large and small. Despite soaring gas prices, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, cousins and grandchildren, friends and neighbors will come together, swap stories and relive an experience that they have enjoyed many times before.
Independence and Human Dignity
The first Independence Day was observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, four days after the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring the United States an independent country, free from British rule.
The Fourth of July, however, is more than just a celebration of civic pride. It is also an affirmation of the principles on which our country was founded - that all men are created equal and have been granted by God the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These “self-evident” truths are what we most celebrate on Independence Day and what makes us feel so proud of our country.
These national beliefs are also deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and follow closely the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Each human person is made in the image of God and therefore automatically deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Each individual life has value and deserves an opportunity to develop to his or her potential. These rights belong to all of us but are especially important for the vulnerable – the poor, the aging, the disenfranchised and those with disabilities for whom opportunities are so often ess available.
As we gather with our friends and families, therefore, to celebrate the independence of our country, we should bear in mind the deeper meaning of this holiday and how we all benefit from the “independence” we so highly value. For most of us, independence means the ability to make choices and to control the important decisions in our lives – where we live, what career we choose, who we marry and how we shape our family’s future. Independence means the freedom to live to our potential. It brings fulfillment and joy to our lives as well as responsibility.
Dignity and Choice for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Maintaining personal independence can be challenging for all of us. Aging seniors and younger adults with physical and cognitive restrictions, however, find it especially hard to preserve personal choice and dignity. Chronic illness, reduced mobility, memory impairments as well as financial hardships can limit independence and the sense of purpose and accomplishment that is essential for human dignity.
Just as we celebrate our country’s independence and the values of freedom and liberty we all so enjoy, it is important to recognize the achievements and capabilities of our elderly seniors and champion their independence within the limits of their abilities.
There are many ways that we can help seniors celebrate their independence and encourage them to exercise their gifts. Here are some small things that we can all do to make a big difference in the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities in our community:
• Invite a neighbor who seldom leaves home to your 4th of July get-together
• Take your children to visit their grandparents on a regular basis
• Visit a senior center and ask an elderly participant to tell you a story about a special accomplishment in his or her life
• Ask your parish leaders if there is a senior ministry where you can volunteer.
• Ask your doctor if an elderly patient needs a ride to his office.
• Visit a neighbor who is shut in and bring a healthy snack, play a board game or read a favorite magazine or book aloud
• Write a letter to an aging aunt or uncle you haven’t seen in years and follow up with an occasional phone call.
May we all reach out to support the independence of others as a grateful expression of our own freedom to chose wisely and live well.
Guy Mikkelsen is President and CEO of The Foundation for Senior Living. For more information, visit www.fsl.org.
> More
News
|
|
|
