Comments on: Honoring Parents And The American Elder Care Crisis http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/ Adventures in Following Jesus Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:46:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Rob http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15684 Rob Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:30:41 +0000 http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15684 Candy, Thanks for taking the time to read this article and to comment. I don't have all of the answers to every situation that arises in the matter of senior care. There are clearly cases and situations where additional help or resources are needed to care for elderly parents. My motivation in writing this article was my observation that elderly parents are often simply ignored or forgotten - even by people who claim to live by the Bible. I noticed this situation while working as a medical provider. My advice in your situation, at the risk of sounding trite or cliche-ish, would be to make the situation a matter of serious prayer among your family - including your husband and children. Trust that God will lead and provide direction and solutions. I know that almost sounds trite but I truly believe that God will direct our decisions and options when we seek to live as followers of Jesus. My concern is not with families that find it necessary to solicit additional help in caring for an elderly parent. My concern is rather with families who ignore their God-given roles because they do not want to be inconvenienced. Where that line falls exactly is not always easy to determine because each situation in unique. The crux of the matter may be in the heart. Candy,

Thanks for taking the time to read this article and to comment.

I don’t have all of the answers to every situation that arises in the matter of senior care. There are clearly cases and situations where additional help or resources are needed to care for elderly parents.

My motivation in writing this article was my observation that elderly parents are often simply ignored or forgotten - even by people who claim to live by the Bible. I noticed this situation while working as a medical provider.

My advice in your situation, at the risk of sounding trite or cliche-ish, would be to make the situation a matter of serious prayer among your family - including your husband and children. Trust that God will lead and provide direction and solutions. I know that almost sounds trite but I truly believe that God will direct our decisions and options when we seek to live as followers of Jesus.

My concern is not with families that find it necessary to solicit additional help in caring for an elderly parent. My concern is rather with families who ignore their God-given roles because they do not want to be inconvenienced. Where that line falls exactly is not always easy to determine because each situation in unique. The crux of the matter may be in the heart.

]]> By: Candy http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15683 Candy Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:31:34 +0000 http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15683 This has distressed me, I am tired taking care of my Mother in-law, after a stroke, in her home. My husband and his sister are staying 24 7 with her. He and I both work, I try to help him during his stay. this has been going on since 06/16/2007, then my Mother got down and moved in with us 02/25/2008. She is well enough to be alone during the day while I work. But just 2 weeks ago got ill and is in a rehab nursing home, hoping to get back with us. Surely there is a point to what is expected from adult chidren, and what you say about money, everyone get SS and lots of nursing homes or assited living accept SS. This has brought me to tears, I want to do what is God's plan. But....................I am at wits end. We have 2 adult children. Does this mean forget about them and their lives, because we are honoring our parents. This has distressed me, I am tired taking care of my Mother in-law, after a stroke, in her home. My husband and his sister are staying 24 7 with her. He and I both work, I try to help him during his stay. this has been going on since 06/16/2007, then my Mother got down and moved in with us 02/25/2008. She is well enough to be alone during the day while I work. But just 2 weeks ago got ill and is in a rehab nursing home, hoping to get back with us. Surely there is a point to what is expected from adult chidren, and what you say about money, everyone get SS and lots of nursing homes or assited living accept SS. This has brought me to tears, I want to do what is God’s plan. But………………..I am at wits end. We have 2 adult children. Does this mean forget about them and their lives, because we are honoring our parents.

]]> By: Pamela Pope http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15668 Pamela Pope Tue, 13 May 2008 17:08:24 +0000 http://www.robwitham.com/2006/06/17/honoring-parents-and-the-american-elder-care-crisis/#comment-15668 Rob, Excellent post to highlight the Christian view on elder care support. Misplaced financial priorities certainly have a role in the elder care crisis. But how much of the elder care crisis is related to caregivers and seniors not really understanding the options and recognizing how to strategically apply the information out there? All the best, Pamela Lead Elder Care Strategist www.popeinstitute.com Rob,

Excellent post to highlight the Christian view on elder care support. Misplaced financial priorities certainly have a role in the elder care crisis. But how much of the elder care crisis is related to caregivers and seniors not really understanding the options and recognizing how to strategically apply the information out there?

All the best,
Pamela
Lead Elder Care Strategist
http://www.popeinstitute.com

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