The special group among older
adults known as “Can’t Gos” are often thought of as those restricted to special
residential facilities. These may include assisted living and nursing care
residences. These facilities may also include the homes of these travel-limited
adults and their caregivers. Homebound individuals are just as much “Can’t Gos”
as those living in professionally sustained living centers.
Most of these people have
seen their vital energies slowly slip away over the years. Physical strength and
mental acumen have lessened in spite of all they might have wished. They have
become almost totally dependent upon the care and intervention of others. No
matter how much they might desire to do so, they cannot go where and when they
want. Their hopes and dreams all too often have faded into the regrets of wishes
unfulfilled. They see little purpose in day to day living.
What can we offer these
individuals and their caregivers to assure them they still have value in the eyes
of God and the world? What can we show them that will allow them to see they
have much to offer of the highest value both to God and those around them? If
they cannot get out and go into the world, then we need to show them another
way they can be a part of the work of the Kingdom of God.
As Jesus told his disciples
in the Garden of Gethsemane,
Mar 14:38 And he said to them"Keep
watch, and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak."
So we must also recognize in
these special individuals the flesh may be weak, but the spirit is strong,
strong enough still to impact the world.
Though they may not be able
to gather with the family of God in corporate worship as they did before and wished
to do now, they can still add their spiritual power to others in the faith.
Among the spiritual disciplines are prayers of praise and intercession, Bible
study, and meditation. There is also the sharing of personal testimony and
offering an evangelistic witness.
For those who cannot go out
physically and touch their world, they can go out in prayer. Through prayers of
praise they are able to maintain a vital relationship with God. Through prayers
of intercession they join their prayers to the prayers of other members of
their congregation as they lift these concerns to the throne of grace. They may
focus upon their own surroundings praying for those who provide their care and
are their daily companions. They can use a prayer concerns list provided by
their church family to intercede for their congregation and community.
Bible readings, study, and
meditation may have to be aided by audio recordings when eyes no longer can see
well. An extra incentive for these special people to be involved is to have younger
members of their family or the congregation visit them and spend time reading
their favorite scripture passages to them. We can encourage these homebound and
restricted residents to consider the meaning of these passages for their own
lives and for those for whom they pray.
A very special group of
homebound individuals are the caregivers who provide the nurture their family
members and friends need. They must stay close by their charges at all times.
They are never free to leave when they might desire. This group needs the support
of others as well. Not only do they need visitors, but they also need the
reprieve respite care provides.
Age and travel restrictions should
never be a limitation on one’s spiritual progress. Prayer is always available. The
Bible is available in multiple forms. The “Can’t Gos” only need to have another
way provided.
