If you are a senior citizen, there are many things in your life you can do to make your life better. You should never give up on yourself because of your age. You can still do the things you did when you were younger and have fun doing them.
For example, if you like to play sports then go ahead and play them. There are sports that seniors can play such as golf or tennis. If you want to learn something new then take up a hobby like painting or sewing. There is no limit to what you can do as long as your heart is willing and your mind is clear enough for it. Do not let age hold you back from doing anything; instead use it as an advantage for learning new things about yourself and about life itself!
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Short Sermons for Seniors in Nursing Homes
The Power of Kindness
The power of kindness is the ability to influence others by being kind.
Kindness can help you achieve your goals in life because it makes people feel good about themselves.
Kindness is a way to be strong and powerful, not just in appearance but also emotionally and spiritually.
If you are kind, people will want to be around you and listen to what you have to say because they know that when they do so, it will make them feel better about themselves as well as their lives in general.
God Loves a Cheerful Giver—Even When We Have Little to Give
God is pleased if we give to Him.
When you give, your heart will be happy. You can’t help but feel good about the fact that you’re helping someone else and showing love toward them. The act of giving makes us feel more loved by God, which then makes us want to give more—a cycle of generosity that feels good all around!
However small your gift may be, it’s still valuable. Even if it’s just a penny or two in spare change from lunch today, every amount counts when it comes from a cheerful giver like yourself! Remember: no matter how much or little you have to offer God as an offering for His work in this world—whether it’s one dollar or ten thousand dollars—you’re still giving something precious and valuable because He values each one equally highly!
Living on Purpose and Dying with Purpose
- Your purpose can change over time.
- Your purpose can be to help others.
- You can still have purpose even if you are ill or retired.
A Senior’s Guide to Gratitude and Happiness
How do you practice gratitude?
- Acknowledge all that you have. Whether it’s a healthy body or a loving family, take time each day to notice everything in your life that is going right.
- Be thankful for your blessings. Take time each day to express this gratitude out loud—not only at the dinner table with family and friends but also when no one else is around, like while walking down the street or taking a shower (or both!). If you can’t think of anything specific, thank God for His abundant love and goodness towards us all.
- Give thanks for what others do for you. When someone does something kind for you or brings joy into your life through their service, let them know how much it means by thanking them sincerely from the bottom of your heart.
Reaching Out to Our Seniors
- Be kind to others
- Be kind to yourself
- Be a cheerleader, not a critic. You don’t have to force yourself into the stereotype of being an old lady who’s always nagging at everyone and finding fault in everything. Instead, work on being a positive person who cheers people on as they go through their day.
- Don’t be afraid of change or new ideas; embrace them! You’ll find that there are lots of things out there that can make your life better if you only give them the chance!
You can motivate yourself without being mean to yourself.
How do you motivate yourself? The answer is not to be hard on yourself. It is ok to give up if you are not happy and don’t let other people’s opinions get to you.
You can show compassion for yourself without being mean. Don’t compare yourself to other people, they have their own battles that they are fighting and might not be winning or losing like you are. Compare what your life was like when it was good, use that as motivation and try again! You can also remember that this too shall pass and it will get better soon.
Preaching to the elderly
The vast majority of seniors want to “age in place.” Unfortunately, this is neither a safe nor feasible prospect for many older adults. Factor in the rapidly aging population and the reality is that more people are facing the prospect of making the move to a long term care facility. How can caregivers help facilitate this change — whether ready or reluctant? Read on for six tips aimed at helping seniors make a smooth transition to life in a nursing home.
1. Find the right community.
All nursing homes are not created equal. Finding the right one is a huge factor in helping aging loved ones adjust. Do your research, visit prospective facilities, and talk to staff and administrators about everything from what residents are allowed to bring with them to the types of meals offered and how they’re served.
If a facility feels warm and welcoming to you, it will likely feel the same way to your aging loved one. Conversely, if a particular nursing home feels cold and sterile to you, it’s unlikely to be a positive environment for your aging loved one.
2. Give them a voice.
The information acquired during due diligence not only helps you make the most educated decision but can also be used to help aged loved ones feel more engaged in the process. Knowledge is engaging and empowering: Seniors who are given a say feel like they are participating as opposed to powerless.
3. Be present.
One of the biggest fears older adults experience when contemplating a move to a nursing home is becoming isolated from the people they love. Frequent visits from the onset is a simple way to alleviate these concerns. While some very rare cases may require you to temporarily stop visit, policies forbidding contact should set off red flags.
Keep in mind that regular visits aren’t just for the benefit of residents. They also allow caregivers to monitor their loved one’s care and progress.
4. Encourage involvement.
While jumping right into a new community can be intimidating, there’s no better way to help aging loved ones feel like themselves again than by encouraging them to get involved. From taking meals in the dining hall to participating in group activities, seniors are most likely to feel like themselves again when they become engaged with the new world around them. Meanwhile, the longer seniors go without becoming involved, the harder it may become for them to do so.
One simple way to help seniors overcome hesitations about getting involved? Accompany them on these initial outings.
5. Schedule outside socialization.
While making new friends is certainly a huge part of any smooth transition, so is maintaining old contacts. Make sure your aging loved one has plenty of visits to and from relatives and old friends.
If possible, have a family meeting to come up with a schedule aimed at supporting steady reliable contact. This can help mitigate natural feelings of loss and grief which may accompany the move from a long-time home into nursing care. It also ensures that all members of the caregiving team are on the same page.
6. Make it feel like home.
Home may be where the heart is, but material objects offer comfort while the heart catches up. Bringing along cherished family photos, a favorite blanket, and other decor items can help create a pleasant, familiar and “homey” atmosphere for seniors who might feel out of place without them.
One last thing to keep in mind? While your aging loved one’s living situation may change, your relationship shouldn’t. Caregivers can and should remain active participants in senior’s lives after the move to a nursing home, and advocates for them, as well.
Scripture For Nursing Home Residents
Bethesda Senior Living Communities aim to make the transition into assisted living as smooth as possible, but we also understand this change can be challenging for some. The experienced, compassionate staff members at all our communities are available to offer support and comfort during this time.
Seniors of faith can also find considerable comfort in Scripture to guide them as they enter this new phase of life. Jesus holds our hearts through challenging times, and moving into an assisted living community is no different. Here are five verses of comfort to keep you in good spirits.
ISAIAH 54:10 AND PSALM 46:1
You may have heard the Christian song “Though the Mountains May Fall” which has the lyrics:
Though the mountains may fall
And the hills turn to dust
Yet the love of the Lord will stand
As a shelter for all who will call on His name
The lyrics for this song are reflected in Isaiah 54:10, which reads:
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
In Psalm 46:1, seniors are further reminded that God is always with them, no matter what:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Both of these verses remind seniors that no matter how bad things get, they can lean on the Lord for strength and guidance. While God is not there to take all of our problems away, we can put our trust in him and let God be our strength.
For seniors in assisted living communities, strength may come in the support of friends, family and community staff members.
JOSHUA 1:9
One fear seniors often have when moving into an assisted living community is feeling lonely, since they may be away from family or friends for the first time. Bethesda Senior Living Communities know the importance of the community aspect to senior living — friends and family are typically welcome to visit or even share a meal with you, and you can enjoy plenty of social time with other residents during scheduled activities and programs.
The Bible, too, reminds us that as long as we have God and Jesus Christ in our life, we are never alone. Joshua 1:9 reads:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
2 THESSALONIANS 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
In this verse from Scripture, Paul is appealing to the Lord, who is the source of peace in our life, to grant His peace to the church at Thessalonica, which was experiencing trials, persecution and other troubles. Paul asked for the Lord’s peace to calm the church’s members.
Just as Paul asked the Lord for peace upon his church, you too can ask the Lord for peace and comfort during challenging times. As mentioned previously in Psalm 46:1, although God cannot erase our troubles, we can rely on him for strength.
At Bethesda Senior Living Communities, we also want our residents to find peace within the community in a way that appeals to them. It might be a quiet evening or morning walk on the grounds, time in worship services or periods of joy experienced with new friends during mealtimes or when playing games.
MATTHEW 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This beloved passage from the New Testament is an invitation and calls to believers of Jesus Christ to follow him as a committed disciple. It’s not a call to a specific program, religion, church or human leader, it’s a call to come to Jesus. He is telling us that we can take comfort in Him. When we are anxious (1 Peter 5:7) and unsure, he will give us and our souls hope, rest and comfort.
JOHN 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
In this familiar verse, Jesus reminds us that although we may face challenges and trouble in our lives, we can take comfort in Jesus, knowing our sins are forgiven and that the love of the Lord is in our hearts.
And since he has “overcome the world”, we as his disciples have nothing to fear.
The next time you are feeling lonely, worried or unsure about this next transition into assisted living, take comfort in these verses from Scripture, which remind you that Jesus is always there to offer hope and comfort.
What To Buy Seniors In Nursing Homes
If you want to see the best gift ideas for loved ones who live in nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities, you will love this guide.
Games and Fun
Jig-saw puzzles
Board games
Puzzle books
Dominoes
Cards
Jenga
Chess
Scrabble
Backgammon
Large-print Books
Adult Color Books
Audio Books with a CD Player and headphones
Toiletries
Lip Balm (with seasonal flavors)
Lotion
Scented Soap
Deodorant
Body Spray
Aftershave
Cosmetics
Tissues
Writing + Art Supplies
Stationary
Envelopes
Blank Cards
Postcards
Greeting Cards for upcoming holidays
Stamps
Address Book filled out with Family Addresses
Quality Pens
Art kits with safe supplies
Knitting and crochet materials
Sketchpad and drawing utensils
Decor
Attractive Blankets
Fleece Throws
Framed Photos
Digital Photo Frame
Wall or Desk Calendar
Clothing
Bathrobe
Nightgown
Slippers
Shawls
Wraps
Seasonal or Soft Socks
Fuzzy Socks with Grips
Button-up sweaters
Showing Love
Stuffed animals
Seasonal Bouquets
Silk Flowers
Plants
Children’s art projects