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guest blog by Peter Hountras, resident of Royal Park Place,
a Providence Life Services retirement community in Zeeland, Michigan
Peter Hountras began his career with 25 years in academic clinical psychology, and then spent 25 years in private practice as a clinical psychologist. He concluded his professional life with eight years at Pine Rest's satellite office in Holland, Michigan, before retiring at the age of 70. In 2009, Peter and his wife Helen joined the Royal Park Place community, where they remain active physically, spiritually, and socially.
The information below is excerpted from an article that originally appeared in the October 2001 issue of The Church Herald, under the title “Aging Grace.” The Church Herald ceased publication in 2009, and rights have reverted back to the author.
Ecclesiastes 3:2 eloquently calls attention to “a time to be born, and a time to die.” Between these two signposts is an art to healthy aging, what we do between birth and death. Denial of growing older and the emphasis of our culture on youth have diverted societal attention from the aging process and have fueled misinformation about aging. Knowledge about growing older can make possible healthy aging, making the days the Lord has allocated to us full of zest and hope.
There is no shortage of theories on aging. Wear and tear, genetic programming, style of living, and free radical damage to cells are among the most frequently offered explanations. At present there seems to be a fixed upper limit to longevity of 120 years, the same number of years reported in Genesis 6:3. But major advances in genetic engineering, in organ replacement, and in the treatment of infections diseases may lead to further declines in mortality and extension of longevity.
The following myths pervade our culture and confound the truth about aging:
1. “Old” refers to a fairly specific age.
Gerontologists, experts in the study of aging, refute the belief that a specific age is signified by the term “old age.” Individuals from 55 to 84 might be considered “young old,” whereas “old old” refers to individuals 85 and older. More important than chronological age are the levels of physical, mental, and emotional functioning.
2. The genes we inherit are the predominant determinant of longevity.
Equally important is lifestyle, including proper diet, physical exercise, religious faith, and the practice of moderation. Furthermore, we are living longer due to exciting advances in medical science and the availability of governmental health care programs.
3. Intelligence, memory, and the ability to learn diminish considerably by age 65.
No marked deficits are observed for some individuals well into their 80s or 90s. Research confirms that many elderly individuals can adapt quite well to any mental, physical, or psychological changes they are experiencing. In fact, with advanced age have come increased wisdom, creativity, and peace.
4. Mind and body are largely independent of each other.
In reality, mind and body function together, with consciousness responsible for coordinating this unity. For this reason, the process of aging can be altered by changing our perception of what is happening to us as we age.
5. Poverty or limited financial resources characterize most older people today.
Surveys have reported that older Americans are healthier, better educated, and more prosperous than at any time in history.
6. Retirement affects men and women equally.
Men are less able to survive retirement. The greater flexibility and resilience of women in old age can be attributed to the discontinuity and pronounced changes in their many different roles experienced over a lifetime. For men, unable to handle separation from career and feelings of being unproductive and irrelevant, retirement often becomes a major crisis.
7. Sex markedly declines, is unenjoyable, or is absent after age 70.
Sex experts Masters and Johnson found that healthy men and women can enjoy an active sex life well into their 80s or 90s.
8. Widowhood creates a drastic identity crisis among older women and hastens their death.
Women adjust to the death of a spouse with less difficulty than men at any age. If a man loses his mate, he is more likely to become sick and die from any number of diseases. This vulnerability has been found to disappear, however, if he remarries.
9. Aging people lose their ability to be productive.
An impressive list of famous individuals have made outstanding contributions beyond the age of 80. Thomas Edison, Albert Schweitzer, George Bernard Shaw, and Winston Churchill are among many others with outstanding contributions at an advanced age.
What about you?
Readers, have you encountered any of these myths in your own experience? Is it accurate to call them “myths,” or are any of them true? Let us know in the comments below!
by Melanie Jongsma, Director of Communications
When you hear the word “walkers” at Saratoga Grove, the Providence retirement community in Downers Grove, Illinois, it likely refers to members of the Walking Club, 16 residents who have together logged 2,706,787 steps or 505 miles in a year. “That’s like walking from Downers Grove to Charleston, WV,” says Francine Myers, our Community Relations Director there.
Walker Joan Vanderkamp poses by the whiteboard where members of the Walking Club log their steps.
The club organized last July and began tracking their steps, which they register on a public whiteboard. By the end of June 2010, Jim Ulrich (age 85) had walked the farthest — 75 miles. Clara Zuidema (age 93) was right behind him with 69 miles, and Shirley Vroom (84) and Joan Vanderkamp (88) had each logged 50 miles.
The club doesn’t know if they will be able to maintain that pace throughout their second year, but they plan to try. “That’s one benefit of being in a club or in a community,” says Fran. “The members motivate each other and encourage each other. Maybe, for example, Jim will walk only 70 miles this year, and maybe Clara will match that. Maybe Shirley and Joan will each improve their contribution by just 5 miles. If that happens, and everyone else at least maintains, that’s all it would take for the club to beat their record.”
Having worked among these residents for a few years, Fran is confident in their ability to exceed expectations. “I know they can do it,” she says, “and I think they will!”
She’s also impressed with the example they set for others: “They really are putting some of us to shame — they are twice as active at twice our age!”
Update: View the article — with photos of Clara and Jim — published in the August 24, 2010, Downers Grove Reporter!
guest blog by Pastor Matt Waterstone, First Reformed Church of South Holland
Matt Waterstone is senior pastor of First Reformed Church in South Holland, Illinois. He enjoys spending time with his church members who live at Holland Home.
(NOTE: The blog that follows was originally written as a letter from Pastor Matt Waterstone to his congregation. That letter became a weekly letter, which later became a weekly blog. Because of Pastor Matt’s relationship with Providence Life Services, he was not only willing to share this letter on the Providence Life Services blog, he also linked us to updated information about Jeanette Gouwens, the resident highlighted below.)
It was a dreary Monday afternoon, and I had already gotten all of my typical Monday work done. Order of Worship was in good shape; I had memorized Sunday’s Scripture passage and had already tied any loose ends from last week. So, after visiting Cora VanDerBilt at Ingalls Hospital, I made my way over to Holland Home.
I first stopped at the little fellowship hall they have next to the gift shop and had a cup of coffee with Bertha Van Milligan and a dear woman named Edna. We didn’t exchange last names, but she kept inquiring about my marital status.… (Interesting, I thought.) I then took the elevator upstairs and knocked on Jeanette Gouwens’ door. This is where I experienced joy.
Jeanette let me in to her beautiful, warm room. Together we sat for the better part of an hour, talking about church and playing Dutch Bingo. (Her son-in-law works at Western Seminary and actually recruited me to go to Western!) Jeanette’s late husband’s name was Tys (what a great name!), and I made a mental note about that name for future Waterstone boys.
As Jeanette was talking about Tys, her face kind of squinted together, and she said, “O, how we’ve been blessed by God! You can’t imagine how much we’ve been blessed by God, Pastor.” Being the inquisitive young pastor that I am, I asked her to share a few of those blessings.
For starters, she shared that every single one of her kids and grandkids professes Jesus as Lord. Next, she shared that none of her family had been riven by divorce. Finally, she shared that she had been able to be with Tys when he went on to glory. Three profound blessings, shared with obvious joy.
When I read about corrupt political leaders and shaky financial futures, the darkness from the outside starts to get to my insides. I need more times with people like Jeanette to remind me of God’s blessings. I need her example, her encouragement, her testimony.
The more time I spend with Providence residents like Jeannette, the more I am reminded of God’s faithfulness. It’s a genuine joy for me to serve in a setting where I can continually learn from these senior saints!
_____
Pastor Matt shares additional thoughts about Providence residents in two videos on our website — Precious Residents and Living Gems.
by Melanie Jongsma, Director of Communications
Cami Barreto leads a water aerobics class for Crete (Illinois) residents at the Village Woods pool.
Water aerobics offer a full-body workout that is low-impact enough for people who suffer from joint problems, arthritis, or muscle loss. At Village Woods, our retirement community in Crete, Illinois, Fitness Specialist Cami Barreto leads classes every weekday at 10:30am. Up to 20 seniors laugh together while stretching, twisting, and splashing in the pool.
The class is not limited to Village Woods residents. Part of Providence Life Services’ philosophy of ministry is for each of our communities to be a blessing in the greater community. (See “Fine Dining” for another example of this philosophy in action at Village Woods.) Because the Crete, Illinois, Park District does not have a pool, we have opened up the Village Woods pool to anyone who buys a pool pass (good from Memorial Day through Labor Day each summer).
View the video below to see how fun senior fitness can be!
Glimpses of Providence 