Introduction: The old age is an unavoidable and yet interesting phase of human life.

During the pre-historic times old age was extremely rare because of the living conditions and a negligible percentage of the population those days was above 65 years. A gradual rise in the life expectancy is noticed along with the increase in standard of living1. In the context of Pastoral Care and Counseling, this phase of human life is as important as any others as it needs equal, at times more, emotional, physical, mental, and psychological aspects of care and nurturing. In this work an attempt is made to understand the old age or Ageing from the ideas and definitions of experts in various fields and to reflect in the light of Pastoral Care. Definitions of Old Age:2 According to Phelps and Henderson old age is a natural and normal condition. Its pathologies are the same as those that occur at any age period, but they are intensified by illness, family disorganization, unemployability, reduced income and dependency. Alex Comfort understands old age as characterized by a failure to maintain homeostasis under conditions of physiological stress and that this failure is associated with a decrease in viability and an increase in vulnerability of the individual. Handler defines old age as the deterioration of a mature organism resulting from the dependant essential irreversible changes, intrinsic to all members of a species, such that with the passage of time they become increasingly unable to cope with the stresses of environment thereby increasing the probability of death. Davidson, a pathologist, views that old age comprises of those fundamental changes not due to disease occurring in individuals after maturity which are more or less common to all members of the species and which increase the probability of death. Old age is thus the increasing inability to resist death.

1 2

Ian Stuart-Hamilton, The Psychology of Ageing, (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006), p. 14. S. Dayabati Devi and Amritha Bagga, Ageing in Women, (New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2006), p. 4-5.

According to Timiras, old age is a decline in physiological competency that inevitably increases the incidence and intensifies the effects of accidents, disease, and other forms of environmental stress. Theories of Ageing: The following are few of the theories regarding the concept of Old Age or Ageing: The Genetic Theory: according to this theory the old age or ageing is due to the death of the human cells which die after certain number of (cell) divisions, which may perhaps be due to the damage to the cellular DNA3. The Wear and Tear Theory: This theory explains a non-genetic reason of ageing and says that time creates changes in the cells thereby reducing its capacity to function properly4. The Physiological Theory: Ageing, according to this theory, is experienced by the deterioration of the functions of the organs like the cardiovascular system or non-functioning of physiological control mechanisms.5 The Old Age and its Characteristics: The old age or old age can be classified into three levels: a) Biological Old Age: It is understood as the changes in the physical structure and functioning of the organs of the body. Biologically, the characteristics of old age are witnessed in the graying of hair, loss of teeth, loss or deterioration of eye sight and hearing ability and the general slowing down of all the organs functioning.6 A progressive deterioration is noticed in aerobic power, muscle strength, thermoregulation, reaction speed and acuity of special senses, in most environments7. b) Psychological Old Age: This is characterized by the changes in ones adaptive capacities and behaviors. Psychologically, the characteristics of old age are seen in the changes in the individuals nervous system and in the decline of mental health. Understanding the psychologically old age is possible by observing how an individual adapts to changing
3

C. Z. Benson, Aging, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, Edited by. Rodney J. Hunter (Bangalore: TPI, 2005), p. 16. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid. 6 S. Dayabati Devi and Amritha Bagga, Ageing in Women, (New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2006), p. 1. 7 Ibid.

environmental conditions in comparison with others of the same age in the same environment and society, in terms of a persons adjustments to changes, thinking and the coping mechanisms8. c) Sociological Old Age: This is seen in the role changes of an individuals social behavior and expectation9. Socially, old age is characterized by the changing roles and behavior of an individual in relation to his/her family and society.10 As discussed the Old Age is not confined to just one aspect of human life but various aspects which make the whole human life. Older people usually undergo certain issues which need a holistic understanding. Issues Confronted in the Old Age: The older adult struggle with certain issues, are discussed below. Professional or Vocational Issues: A profession or a vocation is of utmost importance to older people. People endow their jobs with a profound sense of vocation with the theological and ethical values attached to it and the loss of their job upon retirement is understood as a loss of primary source of meaning, identity and mental health. Therefore their immediate spiritual assignment is to reshape their self. This includes a personal integration of the fundamental meaning of justification by faith which involves the acceptance of the self, others and God by way of their being and not by way of their deeds11. Finitude or Limitedness: In the process of becoming old aged an individual becomes limited in terms of choices and options. These choices and options which were once unlimited for an individual in ones youth slowly narrows down and thus tend to either accept or reject certain major life decisions in the mature years. Therefore a major spiritual chore is to gain faith and values that would enable him/her to transcend the boundaries of the immediate self12.

8 9

S. Dayabati Devi and Amritha Bagga, Ageing in Women, (New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2006), p. 1-2. C. Z. Benson, Aging, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, Edited by. Rodney J. Hunter (Bangalore: TPI, 2005), p. 16. 10 Ibid. 11 G.H. Asquith, Jr., Older Persons, Pastoral Care and Counselling of, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, edited by. Rodney J. Hunter (Bangalore: TPI, 2005), p. 808. 12 Ibid.

Loneliness: Loneliness is a painful emotional state. 13 In the old age, loneliness is one of the main confronted issues. The person feels neglected and unwanted. The aged people, in a way, crave to be in company of some one. Edger N. Jackson explains this with an example saying old aged people deliberately do not read their electricity maters though it attracts a fine of five dollars for a person to come and read the meter simply because they not bothered to spend five dollars to see some one visit them.14 This example strikingly explains how the elderly people feel lonely. The feeling of being wanted and cared for in the realm of theological understanding is essential for pastoral care in this situation. The anxiety of Death: This also is related to finitude but more intense. Here, as Paul Tillich opines, the individual becomes aware of his/her death or non-being. As the person becomes old and his/her knowledge of the death of their near and dear ones in the society is clear, it results in the awakening of the thought of their own non existence or death. This threat of death or nonbeing propels the spiritual task of looking deep into the meanings of death, resurrection, eternal life and the unchanging love of God15. Behavior of the Aged Person: As they grow older the aged people tend to show certain behavioral changes. Sometimes they behave seemingly foolish and unreasonable implying that they pretend to have drunk the waters of eternal life. They also feel apprehensive about their nearing death and constantly make an effort to share this with others. They also make an effort to achieve a wiser outlook and to strengthen spiritually.16 These are a few of several other behavioral patterns which need to be understood to show an effective pastoral care to the aged people. Pastoral care and counseling for the old age: The life span of humans seems to have increased in comparison with the ancient times and the number of elderly people in todays society is considerable higher than in the earlier centuries society. By the advancement of medicine and science and technology that aids health this
13 14

Edgar N. Jackson, The Many Faces of Greif, (London: SCM Press Ltd, 1978), p. 36. Ibid., p. 30-31. 15 G.H. Asquith, Jr., Older Persons, Pastoral Care and Counselling of, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, edited by. Rodney J. Hunter (Bangalore: TPI, 2005), p. 809. 16 Edgar N. Jackson, The Many Faces of Greif, (London: SCM Press Ltd, 1978), p. 86.

number seems to grow even more. The main concern is to deal with the elderly people in this vital and subtle stage of their life as they become dependent on others for everything. The families often neglect the old aged and do not know how to accommodate the elders in the families as a result they are set aside in the corners of the houses and felt unwanted. Thus majority of them are leading an unhappy and frustrated life. Those who have an opinion and regard for themselves have more hope than despair, more love than indifference and more motivation17. According to Asquith Jr. the churchs pastoral care for older persons should include providing a place for them in ministry which would include voluntary work in either the church or community assisting in accounting, consultations for special projects, preparing an oral or written history of either the church or society, assisting in day care of children ministry to the ill or disabled. The personal and pastoral rapport is more important than the provision of activity 18. This would certainly keep them engaged and lift up their spirit as they feel recognized and important. Family relationships play very important role in the itinerary for the care and counseling of the elderly people. They should be treated as the members of the family and community. Their presence and contribution to the family should always be regarded and recognized. The focus should be on strengthening of the relations between the children, adults and older people. Space should be given for their recreation and relaxation19. The fact of nearing the death surely results in anxiety and gloom in the elderly people. The feeling of being wanted and cared for gives them a sense of achievement and contentment to them and to a great extent relieves from the anxiety of death. The aim of the pastoral care should be to boost their independence and to ensure that they are given freedom in choosing how and where they live and die20.

17 18

Edger N. Jackson, The Pastor and His People, (New York: Channel Press, 1963), p. 127. G.H. Asquith, Jr., Older Persons, Pastoral Care and Counselling of, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, Edited by. Rodney J. Hunter (Bangalore: TPI, 2005), p. 809. 19 Brain J. Easter, Disablement: Pastoral Care of the Mentally Disabled People, A Dictionary of Pastoral Care, edited by. Alistair V. Campbell (London: SPCK, 1987), p. 69. 20 James Williamson, Ageing, A Dictionary of Pastoral Care, edited by. Alistair V, Campbell (Londin: SPCK, 1987), p. 10.

Regular visitation to the older people listening and talking to them patiently and empathetically is a key in the pastoral care and counseling to the old age and older people that makes them feel that their life is hopeful and purposeful. The pastor or the care giver should be capable of fulfilling various roles like a believer in Christian faith who prays for them, a friend who connects the outer and inner worlds to those who are restricted to homes, a comforter who encourages and sustains, a healer of anxieties and grievances and reconciler of their self, others and God21. Conclusion: Old Age is an achievement in ones life as every person born on the earth may not live longer to experience the older age. Old age is an unavoidable, vital, natural and universal phenomenon. It is a challenge not only to the old aged and elderly but also to our ethics and values to understand and deal with the psycho-social and physical problems of old aged. The vast knowledge and expertise of the older adults would enrich our living experiences and can be used to obtain optimum results in every field. Being in their last phase of life the elderly people deserve proper care and concern and there is a serious need for the families and societies to love and make them feel worthy and wanted. The focus of pastoral care and counseling to the elderly should be on making the elderly felt cared, regarded, contended and thus giving them an enriched experience of fulfillment towards the end of their life which would obviously make their life more meaningful.

21

Michael Butler and Ann Orbach, Being your Age, (London: SPCK, 1993), p. 107-108.

Bibliography: Asquith Jr., G.H. Older Persons, Pastoral Care and Counselling of, Dictionary of pastoral and Counselling, edited by. Rodney J. Hunter Bangalore: TPI, 2005. Benson, C. Z. Aging, Dictionary of pastoral Care and Counselling, Edited by. Rodney J. Hunter Bangalore: TPI, 2005.

Butler, Michael and Ann Orbach. Being your Age, London: SPCK, 1993. Devi, S. Dayabati and Amritha Bagga. Ageing in Women, New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2006.

Easter, Brain J. Disablement: Pastoral Care of the Mentally Disabled People, A Dictionary of Pastoral Care, edited by. Alistair V. Campbell London: SPCK, 1987. Jackson, Edgar N. The Many Faces of Greif, London: SCM Press Ltd, 1978. Jackson, Edger N. The Pastor and His People, New York: Channel Press, 1963. Stuart-Hamilton, Ian. The Psychology of Ageing, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006. Williamson, James. Ageing, A Dictionary of Pastoral Care, edited by. Alistair V, Campbell. London: SPCK, 1987.