8 Ideas on Helping the Elderly through the Church

by Letters Editor · October 26, 2016

JM Thomson, Johannesburg – I refer to your report headed “Bishops call for rejection of ‘rampant ageism’” (September 28).

Ways in which Catholics can help improve the quality of the lives of the elderly include:

give a senior citizen a lift to Mass. Older people who want to attend a Mass said in a foreign language but live far away from the church would appreciate even the occasional lift;
start a senior citizens’ choir;
visit and/or telephone housebound parishioners;
train old people to use social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and so on;
allow church halls to be used during the week by older parishioners for, for example, exercise classes, indoor bowls, bingo;
have a social for pensioners — maybe including a guest speaker;
have an outing for pensioners, for example, arrange a block booking to attend a film;
have a Christmas lunch/tea for pensioners.

Many old people are alone, especially during the week, and would enjoy some social contact. To help facilitate this need not be costly.