We C.A.R.E.

Each year, our board members and staff get together for a day-long retreat. In addition to some good fellowship and getting out of the city, we take a close look at our organization, evaluating our programs, and reviewing our mission, vision, and core values statements.

This year, we focused our energies on our evaluating our core values and I think we really honed in on those values that make Desert Ministries what it is: a conduit for service, and an advocate for senior quality care. After several hours of filling the walls with flip chart notes, and energized dialogue, we distilled our thoughts to these four core values:

Community – we are a diverse and intergenerational community, unified by our faith in God, committed to the protection of and service to our elderly.

Action – we are who we are, because of our elders; we must protect who they are.

Relationship – with joy and compassion, we establish relationship with our elderly, showing them respect, honor and acceptance, giving them the dignity they deserve by listening and caring.

Elderly – we value our elderly by honoring their history, wisdom, and joy. We gratefully accept their values and traditions as the foundation upon which we build our lives.

I cannot overstate the impact of working with older adults has had on my sense of well-being, my fulfillment, and hope. In each of these words, community, action, relationship, and elderly, I have story after story of how an older person has helped me to think and sometimes rethink each of these words.

Our community is not just one group or another, it’s not just this age group or that age group, it’s “us.” Community is all of “us,” regardless of age, and we need to take care of “us.” No one should be alone. One of my favorite portions of scripture: “God places the lonely in families;…” from Psalm 68:6 shows us the importance of communities supporting their elders. Even though biological families may be separated by distance, we can still be family for one another. No one should have to live their final years, alone.

It’s not enough just to “know” there is a need. It is incumbent on each of “us” as members of our communities to act and react to the needs of the older adults living in our neighborhoods, and in long-term care facilities, particularly those living in skilled nursing homes. They of all groups tend to be forgotten. We cannot simply say that the challenge is too large, or the solutions are too complex, or unattainable. We must take steps, even if they seem small. We must see that our frail elderly are well cared for. Actually, I don’t believe there is such a thing as a small step. Any step can have large ripple effects. Recruiting, and training people to visit people in nursing homes is one of the steps we are taking every day in Desert Ministries. While each volunteer, singularly, may feel inadequate, together they are positive force within the long-term care community and in their communities. Feedback from care staff and the nursing home residents tell us this, and feedback from persons in our community tell us that the ripple effects of our “small” steps are causing the ground to shake.

No one should be alone. We are built to be with “others.” Removing “us” from “others,” can lead to depression, suicide, neglect, abuse, and even physical problems like dementia. The absence or the withholding of relationship has dire effects. It is costly as well. I know anecdotally that some part of depression can be relieved through a caring visit from a volunteer. One resident when asked if the volunteer visit was something she looked forward to, she said, “It’s not family, but it’s not bad for someone off the street.” All to often, we turn to medications to address depression when, I believe, many times a simple “I was thinking about you today,” would go a long way towards their healing process. On another occasion a resident remarked after one of my visits: “They think we need this, [holding up a handful of pills] but what you just gave us[relationship] is what we really need.”

The elderly, who are they? What do they want? What do they need? Now approaching the age of 56, I am discovering that I am still for the most part, “me.” The outside of “me,” may have changed but the interior, “me,” well, it still seems to believe that it hasn’t changed all that much. That “me” is still a young man with hopes and dreams, but admittedly a few more life experiences. Nevertheless, I don’t feel “old.” I feel alive, and ready to participate in my community. I think most older people would also tell you that they feel this way. Our elders need to be offered opportunities, and invited, to stay in the game. In that process, of spending time with them, we learn from their life experiences. I’ve even had the experience of them becoming my cheerleader. “Hey, I made it! So can you!” They can be our confidant, our mentor, or a good friend.

Our core values: Community, Action, Relationship,& Elderly, (CARE). We do care, and I believe most people care. Let me invite you, if you are not already a part of our community, to consider doing something that will bring you great fulfillment and a sense of making a real difference by giving your treasure or your time to this outreach, and to the people we serve, our elderly. Visit our website to learn how you can show that you care too.