Finishing Well: Nutrition, housing and transportation

John 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Nutrition, housing and transportation are three practical areas that need to be considered as major parts of the aging process.

In our community we have Meals on Wheels available. Some neighboring towns that have Senior Citizen Centers also offer this program. I know that Jesus fed thousands of people with a small quantity of fish and bread but that was a miracle. People need regular nutrition.

I have friends and relatives with diabetes. If their blood sugar is off they need to take insulin or eat something. Confusion seems to set in on people when their blood sugar numbers are not in the appropriate range.

Caregivers can make sure that their loved ones are eating on a regular basis and monitoring their medications. When my mother-in-law was staying at the Eagle’s Manor there was a great service available to dispense medications each day.

Some housing arrangements are designed with the elderly in mind. Elevators or single level living arrangements are available in our community. Going up and down stairs several times a day can be good exercise for some people but it can be impossible for others. The elevators at the Eagle’s Manor can be great but having meals available seven days a week is excellent.

There are other facilities in our area that provide both food and housing for their residents. Some of these are assisted living facilities and others are nursing homes.

Many area residents are able to stay at home throughout their lives. Some of these people have friends or relatives that check on them and help them. Each situation is different depending on the health of the person and their financial situation.

The Bible teaches us that we should be thankful for food and clothes. In our part of the state we also often need reliable transportation.

Some elderly citizens in our community still drive themselves everywhere they desire to go. Others rely on taxis, buses, or someone to give them a ride. I have noticed that sometimes pickups are tougher to get into and low cars can be difficult to exit. Some vehicles seem to work really well for transporting people. I would encourage you to find a vehicle that will work for you and that is within your budget.

All of the above topics require financial resources. In my next article we will look at Biblical financial principles in order that each one of us may finish well.

May God bless you big.

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This is second in a series of columns by Kevin Barsotti of Ark Church looking at issues of aging in the light of the teachings of the church.