| Old age doesn't have to be boring! |
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Being ‘bored to death’ is sadly true for many elderly people whether they live in residential homes or their own. A  constant diet of daytime TV is enough to wear anyone down, especially if your eyesight or hearing aren’t as good as they used to be. Newly retired but still very active, Sylvena Farrant is on a mission to change all that. She has compiled a book of great ideas to encourage the elderly and disabled to take part in worthwhile activities. And she hopes that with a renewed interest in life, they will be more receptive to hearing the Christian message. As a Christian pastoral worker in a nursing home in the Bromley area of London, Sylvena found there were few resources to help the elderly as they journey through this most difficult time of their lives. Then she met an elderly couple who would change the direction of her ministry. Sylvena takes up the story. Christine* still had a brilliant mind, although a massive stroke had left her visually impaired, with a maddeningly unresponsive body. Her husband Tom* also had little sight and being lethargic and withdrawn, seemed deep in depression. He described being in the Home as his worst possible nightmare. Christine sounded very bitter as she exclaimed about Tom, “You’ll never ever get him involved in anything!” ‘Her statement and their tragic situation haunted me because, there seemed nothing that I could do, but deep down I believed that, with God’s help, the impossible was possible.’ Sylvena set about devising home-made games and adapting old favourites that both Christine and Tom could enjoy. Sylvena tried out her games with others and soon she had fun activities suitable for the active and less mobile. Encouraged by Outlook Trust (www.outlook-trust.org.uk) who share the Christian message with older people, Sylvena set about compiling a photocopiable manual of ideas. She says ‘“Fun with a purpose” sums it all up very neatly. It’s just thrilling to see people reconnecting with life and, in some cases, finding spiritual help through these simple games and activities. You don’t have to use the spiritual applications but to me all life is spiritual.’ And Sylvena says, ‘my grandchildren enjoy playing the games too! Sylvena spent over 40 years with London City Mission. Her husband was a missionary from the 1960s until his death in 1994. Sylvena felt God’s calling to continue the work she had supported throughout her married life. ‘I think God used my brokenness and pain more than anything else to get alongside people.’ Though Sylvena has worked with all ages in Christian centres, ‘God laid the burden on my heart for the elderly,’ she says. ‘I was seconded to Mission Care (a Christian charity with a longstanding tradition of serving people affected by poor health and poverty) and worked within a church with the elderly. I was glad to be able to concentrate on one particular age group.’ Sylvena’s task is far from finished. Though retired, she continues her good works and hopes that ‘Fun with a Purpose’ will bring new life to many. * Names have been changed. Special Readers Offer. £12.99 (p&p incl) RRP £14.99 Quote ‘The Good News Paper’ when ordering to get your discount. Order from London City Mission tel. 020 7234 3580 |
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