Aging as a Spiritual Journey

AGING AS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
compiled by Paschal Baute, 1997

"We don’t grow old; when we cease to grow, we are old." by R. Howe

Spiritual Needs of Elders
Note: these can be seen as challenges
for a healthy and spiritual transition.

1. A Need for Meaning, Purpose and Hope
2. A Need to Transcend Circumstances
3. A Need for Support in Dealing with Loss
4. A Need for Continuity
5. A Need for Validation and Support of Religious Behavior
6. A Need to Engage in Religious Behavior
7. A Need for Personal Dignity and Sense of Worthiness
8. A Need for Unconditional Love
9. A Need to Express Anger and Doubt, to Question anything and everything, to have resentment and even hatred accepted but as a step, not a goal...
10. A Need to Feel God is AOn their Side@ - Inviting Acceptance & Surrender.
11. A Need to Love and Serve Others
!2. A Need to be Thankful
13. A Need to find New Stewardship for the World
14. A Need to Forgive and Be Forgiven
15. A Need to Bring All Relationships into Grace.
16. A Need to Prepare for Death and Dying
--Adapted from the book Aging and God by Harold G. Koenig, Haworth Pastoral Press.