The Senior Life Walk

Who is your neighbor? Have you ever asked that question? Maybe you think of those who live on either side of your house or apartment. Being a neighbor, however, is more than that. The lawyers question to Jesus sets the stage for whats now a familiar story: The Good Samaritan.And behold, a lawyer stood up to put [Jesus] to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [Jesus] said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it? And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And [Jesus] said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live. But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Luke 10:25-29, ESVJesus tells a story of a man who fell among robbers and was left half dead. The attacked man was in dire need of attention and care. In the story, the first two figures to arrive on the scene a priest and a Levite passed by. They saw him and did nothing, perhaps to maintain their own religious cleanliness for temple ceremonies.A third person, however, approached, saw the man and had compassion. He was a Samaritan someone Jesus audience deemed outside of Gods community for a variety of reasons. Compassion led him to help. He stopped, changed his plans, bandaged the mans wounds and paid for his continued care.Jesus flips the script on his questioner in two ways. First, he makes an alleged enemy (the Samaritan) the hero the one who is faithful to Gods Law. Second, he asks his own question: Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers? The initial question Who is my neighbor? misses the point. Being a neighbor is what the lawyer could do, showing mercy to anyone within his proximity. You cant always choose your neighbors, but you can choose to love.In fact, Love one another, from John 13, is a biblical framework passage for Presbyterian Homes & Services. Our work of love extends to all people. Every day provides an opportunity to love older adults and fellow coworkers with the kind of love Jesus presents in the story of the Good Samaritan. Therefore, let us be neighbors to one another through loving acts. This will lead to life now and into the age to come.About Pastor Matt Anderson: I serve at Summerwood of Plymouth and Summerwood of Chanhassen. Ive been with PHS 3 years. I currently live in Plymouth, Minn., with my wife Liz. We have two adult children. When Im not busy leading Bible studies, preaching or doing visitations I enjoy playing guitar, gardening and reading.The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.  

Prayer is an amazing topic. At times, it seems like we spend more time talking about prayer than the actual practice of praying.I heard about a man who came to his wife one day with an urgent prayer request from his friend. The man says to his wife that his friend, Fred, called him to pray for his wife Carol and the kids because they were in a car accident.The mans wife says, Is Carol okay? Are the kids okay? To which the man says, I dont know. Fred just asked me to pray. The mans wife says, Which hospital did they take Carol to? Were the other people in the car okay? The husband replies, I dont know. Fred just asked me to pray.Have you been there? You receive a request from a friend to pray, and you spend the entire time analyzing the situation instead of getting on your knees and praying. I get it. I do the same. I want more details.However, it may be best to stop and pray for the other person on the spot. Go ahead and get just enough information to offer a simple prayer.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7, NIVOf course, you might be intimidated to pray for someone in public. Thats okay as well. If you are interested in the ministry of prayer at Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS), I would suggest that you seek out your campus pastor about training in the Praying Hands Ministry program. Your campus pastor will offer a seminar so you can pray confidently with others when they bring you a prayer request. You wont have to analyze the situation. You will be ready and engaged to pray.Come and prepare to pray for others, and we will develop a culture of prayer at PHS.About Campus Pastor John Cordova: I began serving at Lake Minnetonka Shores in February 2020, just before the Covid pandemic arrived. I fill the role of director of pastoral care, the greatest job ever. I live in Maple Grove with my wife of 40-plus years. We have raised three daughters, and they have given us three wonderful grandsons (hoping for a granddaughter in the future). If we are not with our grandkids, we spend our time socializing with our neighbors.The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.  

As our loved ones grow older, the physical and mental benefits of companionship become more important than ever. It isnt a surprise that isolation and loneliness can lead to negative effects on one's health and that the positive impacts of staying social for seniors is significant. Companionship for seniors prevents cognitive decline and provides helpful support during their retirement years so they do not feel alone. The dawning of a new year is a busy time for everyone between new resolutions, designating new priorities, and all of the fun activities that tend to keep us preoccupied. With all of these exciting distractions, it is important to remember your senior loved ones and provide them the companionship they need to stay mentally and socially engaged. Here are some cognitive and emotional benefits of senior companionship that will make your loved one live a happier life during their golden years!Enjoy a longer, healthier lifeBeing around family and friends helps seniors feel connected as they continue to age and prevents the negative physical and emotional effects of social isolation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation was associated with about 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. Senior living communities like Harmony Senior Services, allow senior residents to have the positive social aspect with associates, fellow residents, and visiting family and friends. Having that daily companionship in several different forms can prolong and enhance an individual's aging timeline.Creating weekly routinesRoutine companionship helps seniors consistently engage in social activities in their environment. Maintaining routines can create healthy patterns with events and responsibilities for seniors to plan and look forward to. Routines are known to change during the transition into a new year and can be confusing for seniors. It is important to establish new routines and activities that are focused on their interests! The more events a senior has on their social calendar with other residents or family, the more they will feel connected to their community. At Harmony Senior Services, senior residents have a full calendar of activities to keep them busy and build relationships with other residents. Staying safe in your spaceAs we age, the risk of falls, missed medications, lack of proper diet, and depression increase. More accidents and emergencies will start to arise and it is important for seniors to be safe in their home. In a senior living community, the benefits of companionship and daily support provide solutions to the risks of living alone and potentially needing additional assistance when scheduled in-home care may not be available. With Harmony Senior Services continuum of care, seniors are provided with care options that cater to their changing needs. Sense of belonging Senior living communities provide a sense of belonging and community that often get lost when seniors become isolated in their home. Harmony Senior Services is designed to connect residents with social interactions and a variety of group activities throughout the day. There are plenty of shared social spaces such as movie theaters, exercise areas, and activity rooms for friendships to grow. Residents can make new friends at a planned community event, during mealtime in the dining room, or outside on a relaxing walk. Seniors who live in assisted living communities do not have to feel isolated or alone!There are plenty of opportunities for companionship at Harmony Senior Services. If your senior loved one is feeling isolated and needs help in this next transition of life, Harmony is here for you. Start the new year right with Harmony Senior Services and contact us today to learn more.Sources:https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.htmlhttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25663/social-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for-the