A study from Baylor University found that seniors who perceive a secure attachment to God experience enhanced well-being, including increased self-esteem, happiness and hope for the future. Many people find that they have more time and a renewed enthusiasm for refinding their faith as a senior. Bethesda Senior Living Communities support assisted living residents to explore their faith and relationship with God and prioritize compassionate spiritual care. Here are some ideas for refinding your faith as a senior.
Many people stick to the same biblical translation that they learned as a child, and you may have a preferred Bible version to read in your assisted living suite. However, trying a new translation is a great way to revisit familiar stories and passages from a new angle. You may be surprised at how much an unfamiliar translation can help develop your understanding of scripture. Options include the Contemporary English Version (CEV) and New International Version (NIV).
Reading books about the Christian faith and nurturing your connection with God is an excellent way to refind your faith from the comfort of your senior living apartment. Reading books written by biblical scholars and other believers can offer fresh perspectives on the scripture and help you gain a deeper understanding of God's word. It can also give you ideas for living a faith-based lifestyle. There are also many interesting books available about the experiences of Christian missionaries and people who have overcome difficulties with God's help.
Discussing any aspect of your faith with a knowledgeable chaplain can help develop your understanding of Christian teachings and nurture you in a Christian lifestyle. Bethesda Senior Living Communities offer an onsite chaplaincy service to offer faith-based support to assisted living residents and help you explore challenges and doubts from a Christian perspective. As a senior trying to refind your faith, consider booking an appointment with the chaplain in your assisted living community.
The study on senior's well-being and faith from Baylor University found that prayer frequency was strongly correlated to improved wellness. Prayer is a powerful tool to grow your relationship with God and resolve any challenges you're experiencing living in faith.
Prayer is deeply personal, and there's no right or wrong way to talk to God. This means that only you can decide on the most appropriate prayer technique for you, but trying something new can help if your routine feels stale or you're actively trying to deepen your connection to your faith. Some people like to use prayer cards to get new ideas, and you can download plenty of useful resources from the internet. Others find using scripture-based prayers or praying through music useful as a starting point for exploring complex emotions and scriptural concepts.
If you're struggling to fit prayer into your lifestyle in your assisted living community, using an aid that encourages regular prayer can help you get into a routine. Some people like to use a prayer journal to record their prayer experiences and use it as a physical reminder to take time to pray. Another nice idea is writing prayer ideas on popsicle sticks or small slips of paper and keeping them in a prayer jar somewhere visible in your assisted living suite. This technique can help keep prayer at the forefront of your thoughts and help you pray on a more diverse range of ideas, even if you only have a few minutes.
Studying the scriptures with other Christians is an excellent way for assisted living community members to support each other in their faith and collectively develop their knowledge of God's word. Ask your onsite chaplain if they know of a bible study group in your community that you can join. If there isn't a group already, you could consider starting your own to connect with other seniors wishing to grow or refind their faith alongside you. You're likely to find plenty of like-minded people in your faith-based Bethesda Senior Living Community.
Exploring and connecting with the wonderful world around you is a great way to gain a new appreciation of God's world and make links with other Christians living nearby. For some, this could mean attending services at a different church or chapel to make new friends and get different perspectives on Christian life. You could also consider visiting a cathedral, a Christian bookshop or another faith-based community gathering place. For others, simply getting out and about in nature gives them the time and space to contemplate their faith and appreciate the glory of God's creation.
Taking the time to memorize Bible passages is an excellent way to slow down and meditate deeply on the subtleties of scripture. It also lets you carry the word of God with you wherever you go so that you don't need access to a Bible to gain comfort and solace in God's word. In some parts of the world, where access to scripture isn't guaranteed, memorizing Bible passages is crucial for many Christians.
Choosing some favorite passages that provide comfort in challenging circumstances or encourage Christian values like gratitude and forgiveness is a good place to start. Which passages are most helpful to you is a personal choice. However, consider starting a discussion about favorite Bible passages with your chaplain, pastor or other members of your assisted living community to get ideas for memorizing scripture that you may not have thought of.
