Care for Elderly

“In the Bible longevity is considered a blessing of God; today this blessing is widespread and must be seen as a gift to appreciate and to make the most of. And yet frequently society dominated by the logic of efficiency and gain does not accept it as such: on the contrary it frequently rejects it, viewing the elderly as non-productive or useless. All too often we hear about the suffering of those who are marginalized, who live far from home or in loneliness. I think there should be greater commitment, starting with families and public institutions, to ensure that the elderly be able to stay in their own homes. The wisdom of life, of which we are bearers, is a great wealth. The quality of a society, I mean of a civilization, is also judged by how it treats elderly people and by the place it gives them in community life. Those who make room for the elderly make room for life! Those who welcome the elderly welcome life!”

Visit to the Community of Sant'Egidio's Home for the Elderly "Viva gli Anziani," Words of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Rome, Monday 12 November 2012

What does the Church Say?

The Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of caring for the elderly and treating them with respect and dignity. The Church encourages us to remain close to the elderly and benefit from their experience0[1]. Neglect or rejection of the elderly is intolerable, and their presence in the family is of fundamental importance in creating a climate of mutual interaction and enriching communication between different age groups[2]. The elderly are not only to be considered the object of our concern, but they also have a valuable contribution to make to the Gospel of life. They can be sources of wisdom and witnesses of hope and love[2]. The elderly are an example of connections between generations and a resource for the well-being of the family and society[3]. They constitute an important school of life, capable of transmitting values and traditions and fostering the growth of younger generations[3]. In some cultures, the elderly are venerated and continue to be present and take an active and responsible part in family life[4]. However, in other cultures, the elderly have been set aside in unacceptable ways, causing suffering and spiritual impoverishment[4]. The pastoral activity of the Church must help everyone to discover and make good use of the role of the elderly within the civil and ecclesial community, particularly within the family[4]. The Church's work among the poor includes caring for the elderly, and throughout history, there have been numerous examples of practical works of mercy towards them[5]. The Church has also established institutions for the relief of every human need, including hospitals and shelters for the elderly5. The Church's teaching on care for the elderly is rooted in the belief that every human person, regardless of age, is deserving of love and respect[1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

Footnotes:

  1. [Christus vivit 188] https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html
  2. [Evangelium Vitae 94] https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html
  3. [Africae Munus 47] https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20111119_africae-munus.html#INTRODUCTION
  4. [Compendium of the Social Doctrine 222] https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#INTRODUCTION
  5. [Familiaris Consortio 27] https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html