Senior Living

If you live long enough you may face some very major questions. “Should I downsize my house?”

“Should I sell my house and move into an assisted living center?”

“Should I stay put and hire in-home assistance?”

“What can I financially afford to do?”

As long as you are of sound mind you’ll be able to handle these questions.

Regardless your mental state, it helps to have family to assist in making these calls.

My parents lived into their 90s. When in their 80s, they researched and considered moving into The Oaks Methodist Retirement Home in Orangeburg.

They decided to stay in their home of 35 years on 3 acres with a pond and hire caregivers.

Their decision proved right for them. They enjoyed their home to the very end.

There are others I know that made the transition into assisted living and thrived quite happily from doing so.

One of the greatest determining factors for senior adults to be happy is the ability to adjust to change.

Why are some people so able to accept the circumstances they face and others so resistant to disruption of their lives?

As one who believes that outward behaviors are reflections of the inward soul, I would have to say that one’s attitude is determined by who is in control of one’s heart.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content.”

Notice that Paul said, “I have learned.” This implies a period of testing and development which changed Paul’s heart.

He ends that particular passage with, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

If you are a senior adult facing changes, learn all you can about what it means to have a heart that is controlled by the Spirit of God.

Next Week: A repeat of the roaring 20s?

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.